Making rosemary tea is very easy. You’ll only need two main ingredients; rosemary and water. However, there’s a big difference in how to brew dried and fresh leaves.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make fresh and dried rosemary tea. This guide also includes a few recipes to help make this healthy drink more special.
5 Methods of How to Make Rosemary Tea
Knowing how to brew dried and fresh rosemary tea will make a lot of difference in the final result. Here’s a detailed guide on how to make this healthy and delicious tea:
Dried Rosemary Tea
Dried Rosemary has a distinct flavor profile from fresh leaves. The drying process enhances the flavor and aroma, causing each leaf to contain more oil despite its reduced size and mass.
Step #1: Steep the Dried Rosemary leaves
Steep 1 tbsp of dried Rosemary leaves in hot water for 5 minutes. Ensure that the water is not boiling, or the tea will taste bitter.
Step #2: Remove the Leaves
Letting the leaves sit in hot water for a long time will make the tea taste pungent and bitter. Removing the dried leaves is highly recommended once you get your desired color, taste, and aroma.
Fresh Rosemary Tea
Fresh rosemary has a brighter, more subtle fragrance and flavor than dried rosemary. This type of leave is a good choice if you’re not a fan of strong taste.
Step #1: Collect 2 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
2 sprigs of rosemary can make 1 cup of tea. If you’re gathering it from your garden, clean it beforehand and remove any dirt residue.
Step #2: Let the Leave Sit in Boiling Water
Step the leaves into boiling water for 5 minutes. Unlike the dried leaves, it’s okay to let it stay in the water as it will not release more flavor and scent when the water cools down.
Step #3: Add Agave Syrup (Optional)
If you do not like bitter-tasting drinks, add a couple of drops of Agave syrup to sweeten your fresh rosemary tea.
Special Rosemary Tea Recipes
Despite its many benefits, rosemary tea can be boring, especially when you drink it daily. Here are some simple recipes to make this more enjoyable:
Rosemary Infused with Bourbon and Lemon
Make your rosemary tea fun and exciting by infusing it with bourbon and lemon. It might sound like an odd combo, but these ingredients complement each other’s flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary leaves
- 3 tbsp of fresh lemon peel
- 2 cups of bourbon whisky
- 4 cups of sweet iced tea
- 4 cups of lemonade
- Ice cubes
Garnish (Optional)
- Lemon peel
- Rosemary sprigs
Steps:
#1: Infuse the Rosemary Tea with Bourbon and Lemon
Crush rosemary and lemon peel using the bottom of a skillet or pot. Combine the lemon peel, rosemary, and bourbon whisky in a jar with a tight-fitting cover. Shake a few times before covering. Let sit at room temp overnight.
#2: Combine the Ingredients
Once lemon peel, rosemary, and bourbon are fully infused, combine all the other ingredients in large pitchers and mix well.
#3: Add Ice and Serve
This recipe is best served with ice. You can also make it more visually appealing by adding lemon peel or rosemary sprigs as garnish.
Honey Rosemary Iced Tea
This recipe is for folks who enjoy sweets yet wish to get the health advantages of rosemary tea.
Ingredients:
For the honey-rosemary syrup
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of honey
- Fresh Rosemary (10 sprigs)
For the tea
- 12 oz. of black tea (steeped and chilled)
- 2 tbsp honey-rosemary syrup
- 1 fresh lemon
Steps:
#1: Make the Honey-rosemary syrup
In a small saucepan, combine water and honey. Let it boil for a minute on medium-high heat, then add the rosemary leaves. Let the mixture boil for two more minutes, then remove it from the heat. Let it sit in hot water for 30 minutes.
Note: This syrup can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days but should be in an airtight container.
#2: Honey-rosemary Iced Tea
Pour the steeped and chilled tea into a glass. Add the honey-rosemary syrup according to your desired sweetness. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon to balance out the flavors.
Final Words
Drinking rosemary tea can promote digestion, which keeps your stomach healthy and happy. It can also help grow hair and aid weight loss. Whatever your reason for drinking rosemary tea, the good news is that you can simply prepare it at home. You may also experiment with different ingredients to make it even more wonderful!
