Mint Tea Honey Lemon

The first time I had proper mint tea was in a friend's tiny kitchen in Beirut. She grabbed a handful of mint from her windowsill garden, dropped it into boiling water, and the whole apartment filled with this incredible aroma. I'd been making tea wrong my entire life.

Last winter when everyone in my house was fighting off colds, I made this every single evening. The kitchen would steam up, windows fogging over, while that mint scent worked its way through every room. It became our little ritual.

Ingredients

• Fresh mint leaves: A large handful is perfect, about 15 to 20 leaves. The fresh stuff makes all the difference here.
• Water: 500 ml or 2 cups. Use filtered water if you can, you'll taste the difference.
• Honey: 2 to 3 teaspoons depending on your sweet tooth. Add it while the tea is still hot so it dissolves beautifully.
• Lemon juice: 2 teaspoons from a freshly squeezed half lemon. Bottled juice just doesn't have that same brightness.
• Tea bag optional: Black or green tea adds depth if you want something stronger. I usually skip it for pure mint.

Instructions

Get your water ready:

Bring 500 ml of water to a boil in a small saucepan or kettle. You'll want it bubbling hot but not violently boiling.

Wake up the mint:

Rinse your fresh mint leaves and give them a gentle bruise between your palms. This releases those aromatic oils that make this tea special.

Build the base:

Place the mint leaves in your teapot or heatproof jug. Add a tea bag now if you're using one for extra strength.

Steep it properly:

Pour the hot water over everything, cover immediately, and let it steep for 5 minutes. The covering traps all that steam and flavor.

Strain and season:

Remove the tea bag if you used one, strain out the mint leaves, then stir in your honey and lemon juice until everything's well combined.

Make it yours:

Taste and adjust the sweetness or lemon brightness. Pour into your favorite cups, garnish with extra mint and lemon slices.

Save

My grandmother used to say mint tea was for fixing everything, a broken heart, a sore throat, a bad day. She wasn't wrong about the healing part.

Making It Iced

Let the tea cool completely after steeping, then pour it over ice cubes. The mint flavor stays bright and refreshing. Perfect for hot afternoons when you need something cooling.

Spice It Up

Add a cinnamon stick or fresh ginger slice while steeping for extra warmth. The cinnamon adds a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the honey.

Serving Ideas

This tea works beautifully at any time of day, but it's especially lovely in the evening. I love serving it in clear glass cups so you can see the color.

• Keep fresh mint growing on your windowsill for year round access
• Try different honey varieties, each one brings its own subtle flavor
• Always serve it with a little something sweet on the side

Save

There's something profoundly simple about combining three ingredients and creating something that feels like medicine for the soul. Make this often.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I use a tea bag in this infusion?

Yes, adding a black or green tea bag creates a stronger brew with additional flavor notes that complement the mint and citrus.

→ How long should I steep the mint leaves?

Steep fresh mint leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes to extract their full aroma and flavor without bitterness.

→ Is it possible to make this drink cold?

Absolutely. Let the infusion cool and serve over ice for a refreshing iced tea variation that's perfect for warm days.

→ Can I adjust the sweetness and citrus levels?

Yes, taste and modify the amount of honey and lemon juice to suit your personal preference for sweetness and tartness.

→ What are some optional ingredients to enhance this infusion?

You can add a cinnamon stick or a slice of ginger while steeping to introduce warm, spicy notes that complement the mint and lemon.