Lemongrass Tea
Why this recipe works
- Fast infusion: Bruising the lemongrass helps release its fragrant oils quickly, giving the tea good flavour in a short simmer.
- Bright but balanced: Lime sharpens the citrus notes of the lemongrass, while honey softens the finish.
- Hot or iced: The same brew works well served warm from the pan or chilled for a lighter, refreshing drink.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve hot or chill fully: For the cleanest flavour, serve the tea straight after straining or cool it completely before refrigerating for an iced version.
- Short prep, brief simmer: Most of the flavour comes from the simmering stage, so take a moment to bruise the lemongrass well before it goes into the pan.
Ingredient notes
- Bruise the lemongrass: Crushing the stalks with the back of a knife helps expose the aromatic fibres and gives a fuller infusion.
- Add citrus to taste: Lime gives a sharper, fresher finish; lemon works if you prefer a softer citrus note.
- Adjust the sweetness: Stir in honey while the tea is hot so it dissolves easily, then taste before adding more.
Dietary alternatives
- Make it vegan: Replace the honey with agave syrup or another plant-based liquid sweetener.
Make-ahead tips
- Chill for iced tea: Cool the strained tea completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container and serve over ice.
- Reheat gently: Warm it in a saucepan until steaming, but avoid a hard boil so the flavour stays fresh and fragrant.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Trim the lemongrass, then bruise it well with the back of a knife to help it release its aroma. Cut it into a few shorter lengths so it fits easily in the pan.
- Put the lemongrass and water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 8 minutes until the tea smells strongly of lemongrass.
- Strain into a mug or heatproof glass. Stir in the honey, then squeeze in lime juice to taste and serve hot, or cool and chill for an iced version.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the simmer gentle rather than boiling hard, so the tea stays clean and fragrant.
- For a stronger brew, cover the pan and leave the lemongrass to steep off the heat for 5 minutes before straining.
Substitutions
- Replace honey with agave syrup for a vegan sweetener.
- Replace lime with lemon for a softer citrus finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Serve chilled, or reheat gently in a saucepan until steaming; avoid boiling to keep the flavour fresh.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 1 glasses
- Total time: 12min (5min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Thai
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