Sip on a soothing and refreshing cup of homemade fresh mint tea and say goodbye to dull, bitter store-bought versions for good.
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 caffeine-free tea is my little ritual that marks the end of the day. 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 much more flavorful to make yourself than to buy. You can mix several different kinds of fresh 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 (source), so I often make a simple peppermint tea to sip on after meals.
Is Fresh Mint or Dried Mint Better for Tea?
Once you’ve tried a cup of fresh 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.
Fresh mint tea also works wonderfully either as a hot or cold infusion. At night I'll make it hot, but during the day I let it cool and keep it in the fridge for when I want something minty and refreshing to drink. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Fresh Mint - Use any variety of fresh mint you’d like or try a combination. Most of the mint you will find in grocery stores is either peppermint or spearmint.
- Water - Use filtered water for the best flavor.
- Sweetener - Use whatever sweetener you prefer.
How to Make Fresh Mint Tea:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
The key to making the best mint tea is to crush the fresh leaves while they are brewing to release the fragrant and flavorful essential oils. You can do this by using a tea pot with a built-in strainer or by placing a strainer over a heatproof bowl.
- You’ll start by rolling the tea leaves firmly between your fingers to bruise them then tear and drop them into the strainer.
- Next you’ll pour the boiling water over the top and with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon lightly crush the leaves.
- Let the mint steep for a few minutes, strain, sweeten and you are ready to serve!
Variations:
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to make mint lemon tea.
- Add freshly grated ginger to make mint ginger tea.
- Add green tea to make Moroccan mint tea.
More Caffeine-Free Teas:
How to Make Fresh Mint Tea
Sip on a soothing and refreshing cup of homemade fresh mint tea and say goodbye to dull, bitter store-bought versions for good.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves (preferably organic)
- 2 cups/480ml filtered water
- Sweetener of choice to taste
Instructions
- Roll the mint leaves between your fingers to bruise them, then 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)
- Gently bruise the mint leaves with the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler to release the oils.
- Cover the teapot or bowl and let the leaves steep for at least 5 minutes, then remove the strainer pressing on the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Pour into tea cups or mug and sweeten to taste if desired.
Notes
Variations:
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to make mint lemon tea.
Add freshly grated ginger to make mint ginger tea.
Add green tea to make Moroccan mint tea.
For iced mint tea: follow the directions above adding sweetener if using while the tea is still warm, then store in fridge until ready to serve. Serve over ice with an additional sprig of fresh mint.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 0g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
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.