Fresh mint tea is easy to make and works wonderfully as either a hot or cold infusion.
Every night after dinner you can be sure to find me with a hot cup of mint tea in my hands. A nightly cup of tea is my little ritual that marks the end of the day.
The act of sipping tea is soothing, it's not something you can rush through, it demands that you slow down and unwind. For me, it's a vital moment of calm and comfort before turning in for the night.
The wonderful thing about mint tea is that it's so easy to make yourself. You can mix several different kinds of mint together like spearmint, peppermint, and chocolate mint to make your own special blend, or just keep it simple and stick with one. One of my favorites for digestion is peppermint, so I often make a simple peppermint tea to sip on after meals.
Once you’ve tried a cup of freshly steeped mint tea you’ll never go back to the dried mint tea you get in a box. There’s just no comparing the flavor of brewing from fresh leaves vs. dried. Fresh mint tea tastes bright and clean, while the flavor of dried mint can be rather bitter and dull when brewed too long. The key is to crush the fresh leaves while they are brewing to release the essential oils.
Fresh mint tea also works wonderfully either as a cold infusion. At night I'll make it hot, but during the day I let it cool (adding a bit of honey while still warm to sweeten), then pour into a pitcher, and keep it in the refrigerator for when I want something minty and refreshing to drink.
How to Make Fresh Mint Tea
Fresh mint tea is easy to make at home and works wonderfully as a hot or cold infusion.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves (organic)
- 2 cups/240ml filtered water
- honey or sweetener of choice to taste
Instructions
- Roughly tear the leaves with your hands and place them in a small strainer placed over a teapot or glass bowl.
- Bring the water to a boil and pour over the leaves. (The water should cover the leaves in the strainer)
- Cover the teapot or bowl and let the leaves steep for at least 5 minutes.
- Gently bruise the mint leaves with the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler to release the oils, then remove the strainer pressing on the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Pour into tea cups or mug and sweeten with honey or sugar to taste if desired.
Notes
For iced mint tea: follow the directions above adding sweetener if using while the tea is still warm,then store in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve over ice with an additional sprig of fresh mint.
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Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Brian says
I found that double brewing works as well. I am using a tea pot with a built in strainer. I first prepare a hot mint tea to enjoy. I seep mine for 8 minutes. Pour any excess tea from the pot into a cup and add another round of boiling water. Again I seep for 8 minutes. The next day I have delicious mint iced tea to enjoy with my lunch.
Lindsay N. says
Thank you! I was just gifted a mint plant and I wasn't sure how many leaves I needed per cup of tea. I can't wait to try this.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Perfect idea for all my mint I have! Thank you!
Sraboni says
Its really good.....
thx.................
Yvonne says
I am also growing mint in my garden this year. I added Chocolate mint, Orange mint, and Mohito mint this year.
I am also a tea lover. I will be trimming some mint this evening to try your recipe.
Just found your blog, it is a great site.
Khaja N says
thank you just had a cuppa of Moroccan mint tea
Jan says
I just made mint tea from fresh leaves.....yummmm I find it tastes so different from the tea bags in the store. There is a distinct flavor touched with just a hint of oil How much water do you use with a small hand full of fresh mint leaves?
Sylvie says
It all depends on how strong you like your mint tea, I like mine rather strong so a small handful would be good for about 2 mugs.