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When you need a cozy and refreshing drink, learn how to make fresh mint tea in just five minutes. A reader has described this tea as the “best tea,” so you can be sure that even with the short steep time, it’s still incredibly flavorful. So grab a handful of mint, water, and some honey—let’s brew tea!
save this recipe!I fell in love with fresh mint tea when I lived in the Netherlands, where this hot drink is served on almost every restaurant menu. Its refreshing flavor cleanses the palate and helps calm the belly after a big meal!
After being back in the States for a few weeks and missing my favorite tea, I thought I better whip myself up a batch. Whether you’re drowning in mint or just want to try a new after-dinner drink – you’ve got to try this fresh mint tea!
Reader rating
“I LOVE the tea the honey made it sweeter the lemon made it have a spark and the mint made it fresh. This is the best tea.” —Claire
You don’t need much
You don’t need much to make this tea. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements, this is just an overview!
- Mint: Fresh mint is a must! Spearmint and peppermint both work well.
- Water: Bring water to a boil on the stove or in a kettle.
- Honey (Optional): For a slightly sweeter tea, serve it with a drizzle of honey mixed in!
So easy to make
This is just a brief overview, jump to the recipe card for the full printable instructions.
Step 1: Boil the Water
Rather than boiling water on the stove, which takes forever and uses a lot of electricity, I’m a huge fan of using an electric kettle for this! Simply bring your water to a boil, then pour it into your serving glasses.
Step 2: Add Mint
Briefly roll the mint sprigs between your hands to help release the oils, then add one or two sprigs to each glass. Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3: Serve
You can optionally drizzle in a bit of honey and stir to dissolve, squeeze in a little lemon juice, and garnish with a slice of lemon.
fresh versus dried mint
While you can make tea from dried mint leaves, I prefer fresh mint tea by far. Fresh mint has a bright, clean flavor that outshines the more muted flavor of dried leaves.
Extra Flavor Options
Mint tea can be flavored to suit whatever you’re in the mood for! Here are a few fun additions to try.
- Add green tea: This is otherwise known as Moroccan-style mint tea and has both green tea and fresh mint!
- Add black tea: Similarly, you can add fresh mint leaves to hot black tea.
- Add lemon: Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving makes this tea extra bright and tart.
- Make it iced: Make this mint tea as instructed, then refrigerate before serving over ice.
How To Make Fresh Mint Tea (5 Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups water, 350 mL
- 2 sprigs mint
- 1 tsp honey, optional
- 1 slice of lemon, optional
Instructions
- Boil: Bring water to a boil (either in a kettle or on the stove). Pour into your serving glasses.
- Mint: Briefly roll the sprigs of mint between your hands to help release the oils, then add 1 or 2 sprigs to each glass. Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve: If you like, drizzle in a little honey and stir to dissolve, squeeze in a little lemon juice, and garnish with a slice of lemon.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
I just pruned my mint plant, stripping the leaves to try making tea. So – how many leaves would you say are on a sprig?
I’d say about 10 per sprig! 😀
We are a non profit organic gardening group who sell baked beans at a fair. Because no large scale organic apple cider producers are currently available, we are going to experiment with selling organic mint tea with honey. I am interested in proportions needed. Am working with 3/4 of a cup of leaves to 8 cups of hot water and 1 tablespoon of honey to make the initial brew. I then will water it down with cold water. Any input would be really appreciated.
I think that would work! May just need to add more honey.
I LOVE the tea the honey made it sweeter the lemon made it have a spark and the mint made it fresh. This is the best tea
Enjoying a cup of fresh mint tea now. Rather than crushing the leaves in my hands, I crushed them inside the cup with a tad bit of boiling water so the oils would stay in the cup rather than my hands. -Thank you for sharing!
Great idea! Enjoy! 😀
Refreshing. I grow apple mint, peppermint, spearmint so can vary my tea flavors a bit. I love honey, but use stevia to sweeten it for diabetics. A friend uses a half teaspoon of leftover jelly to vary the flavors like orange marmalade, raspberry jelly, apple jelly. peach preserves etc. A great summer drink.
Love that you have different mints growing to vary the flavor, thanks for sharing!