Sage tea is a popular herbal tea that is easy to make and has a unique flavor. Try these five recipes to discover new ways to enjoy this tasty tea.
Sage tea is a delicious and healthy herbal tea that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is easy to make and has a unique flavor that is both refreshing and soothing. If you are feeling under the weather you might want to make yourself a pot of some of these soothing herbal teas. Sage is a perennial herb that grows into a woody plant. It has been shown to have antiseptic properties. This can help to soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation of the sinuses. Here are five different recipes to help you discover new ways to enjoy this tasty tea.
Classic Sage Tea
The classic sage tea recipe is a simple and easy way to enjoy this delicious herbal tea. All you need is fresh sage leaves, hot water, and honey (optional). Simply steep the sage leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes, strain, and add honey to taste. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural flavor of sage tea without any additional ingredients.
Sage and Lemon Tea
This recipe is perfect for those who want a refreshing and citrusy twist to their sage tea. Simply add a few slices of fresh lemon to your sage tea while it’s steeping, and let the flavors infuse for a few minutes. You can also add a teaspoon of honey for sweetness. This tea is perfect for a hot summer day or as a pick-me-up in the afternoon.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves, or 1/2 cup of fresh sage leaves.
- the zest from 1 lemon
Directions
1. Add the water, and your dried sage leaves and lemon zest to a small pot
2. Set the mixture on medium-high heat and bring to a boil
3. When the water boils, lower to medium heat and let simmer 3-4 minutes.
4. Transfer the sage tea to a teapot by pouring the tea through a fine sieve to remove the zest and the leaves.
5. Serve hot.
Both the sage and lemon zest have a bitter tone that may intensify as they sit in the infusion. Remove the leaves and zest before pouring the tea to the serving jug if you prefer a milder taste.
Sage and Honey Tea
This recipe is a classic and simple way to enjoy the delicious taste of sage tea with a touch of sweetness. Start by steeping a few fresh sage leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes. Then, add a teaspoon of honey and stir until it dissolves. You can also add a slice of lemon or a cinnamon stick for extra flavor. This tea is perfect for a cozy night in or as a soothing remedy for a sore throat.
Ingredients
- 200 mil of boiling water
- 1 large spring of fresh sage, or half a cup of fresh sage leaves
- 3 tablespoons honey
Directions
1. Put a small sprig of sage in a mug and pour boiling water over it.
2. Allow to steep for 20-30 minutes.
3. Squeeze the sage leaves and strain out any pieces.
4. Add the juice of one-half to a whole lemon and 1-2 teaspoons of honey per your desired sweetness.
Sage and Ginger Tea
This recipe combines the unique flavor of sage with the spicy kick of ginger for a delicious and warming tea. Start by steeping a few fresh sage leaves and a slice of fresh ginger in hot water for about 5 minutes. Then, add a teaspoon of honey and stir until it dissolves. This tea is perfect for cold winter days or as a natural remedy for nausea or indigestion.
Ingredients
- 200mil boiling water
- 1 teaspoon of dry or 1 tablespoon of fresh sage
- 1-2 Ginger slices
- Honey to taste
Directions
1. Warm your tea cup with hot water.
2. Pour away the water.
3. Put herbs in the cup.
4. Add fresh boiling water and cover.
5. Leave to steep 3 to 5 minutes. Add more herbs for a stronger flavor.
6. Steeping to long will make the tea bitter.
7. Add ginger slices and/or lemon slice if desired.
Sage and Mint Tea
This refreshing tea combines the earthy flavor of sage with the cool and refreshing taste of mint. Steep a handful of fresh sage leaves and a handful of fresh mint leaves in hot water for about 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of honey or agave syrup for sweetness, if desired. This tea is perfect for a hot summer day or as a natural remedy for digestive issues.
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh sage leaves, lightly packed
- ½ cup fresh mint, lightly packed
- juice from a small lemon
- 4 cups water
- Boil water and remove from heat.
- Steep sage and mint in water for 20 minutes.
- Strain
- Adjust sweetness if needed.
Final suggestions for perfect sage tea
Many of popular sage tea recipes suggest adding lemon juice into the mixture. Remember not to simmer the lemon juice. It is best to add the juice after you take the pot away from the heat. Alternatively you can add a lemon slice into your mug. It will add a little bit of lemony flavour without overpowering the natural taste of sage. Please be aware that adding lemon (juiced, or a slice) to your sage tea will react to its acidity and change colour. Lemon slices, or zest will continue to flavour the tea water as they steep, so remove them in time before they overpower your mixture.
In contrast to freshly harvested sage leaves, dried leaves need time to rehydrate. This is why you should add them to the water from the start, before the water starts boiling, and simmer the leaves. If you are using fresh sage leave, then they will not need to rehydrate before they can release the flavours, so you can just add them to boiling water to steep. If you are using dried leaves, it is best to opt for full, uncrushed leaves as they retain the flavour better.
If you would like to find out more about how you can make a wonderful tea using other typically Provançal herbs, do check out our blog on the topic of ingredients of Provançal Teas