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Rosemary tea is a warm and comforting drink that can be prepared in just minutes. If you have leftover fresh rosemary from a holiday meal, this is the perfect way to use up the rest.
(It may even help with digestion!)
While working on this recipe, I was also surprised to find how many potential health benefits have been associated with rosemary. Be sure to click on the links I’ve shared below if you want to read more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“Perfect way to use leftover rosemary from a recipe! Tastes amazing!” – Jess
How to Make Rosemary Tea
Step 1:
In a small saucepan, combine one sprig of rosemary and 2 cups of water. You can use only the leaves if you want to, but I throw the whole sprig (including the stem) into the pot, since we’ll be straining it out later.
Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and let it simmer together for 1 to 5 minutes. The longer you let the tea simmer, the stronger (and more potent) the rosemary flavor will be.
Step 2:
When the water has finished boiling, use a slotted spoon to remove the rosemary and any leaves that might have fallen off, then serve the strained tea warm right away.
You can pour it through a fine mesh sieve on the way to your mug if there are small pieces that are difficult to remove in the pot.
Rosemary tea tastes refreshing on its own, but just like Ginger Tea or Elderberry Tea, you can serve it with lemon and honey, to taste.
Can You Drink it Iced?
Yes! The recipe below is for a double batch of tea, and when I’m only making it for myself, I save the other half for a refreshing rosemary iced tea later in the day. In fact, I think rosemary iced tea is a great way to ease yourself into the flavor of this tea, as it can be slightly overpowering when warm.
If you pour the tea over ice cubes while it’s still warm, the ice will melt and dilute the rosemary flavor, so you don’t need any added flavorings. (Although adding a lemon slice is really nice in the iced tea, too!)
I think I like the iced version almost better than the warm version, so be sure to try it.
Potential Side Effects of Rosemary
Since rosemary is a potentially potent herb, it can act similarly to some medications (like naturally lowering blood pressure). Before you start drinking rosemary tea regularly, it’s best to talk with your doctor if you are taking:
- ACE inhibitors (which treat high blood pressure)
- Blood-thinning medication
- Diuretics (which help rid the body of excess fluid)
- Lithium (a mood-stabilizer that can be overdosed if not monitored carefully)
I’m not a medical doctor, so be sure to talk with your health care professional for personalized care and recommendations.
Rosemary Tea Recipe Add-In Ideas
Want to add more flavor to your rosemary tea? You can add fresh ginger slices, cinnamon sticks, or whole cloves to the pot and simmer them together.
Each ingredient has potential health benefits, too:
- Ginger may help to lower blood sugar levels and improve memory.
- Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and may help to improve cholesterol levels.
- Cloves may help to kill bacteria, including E.coli, and might promote liver health.
However you make this fresh rosemary tea, I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Ingredients
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Combine the rosemary and water in a saucepan, and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and let it gently simmer for 1 to 5 minutes. The longer to simmer it, the more potent the rosemary flavor will be.
- When it's done simmering, use a slotted spoon to remove the rosemary and any leaves that may have fallen off.
- Pour the strained tea into 2 mugs and serve. If you're only cooking for 1, I like to store the other half of the tea in an airtight container in the fridge and serve it as iced tea later! Or you can reheat for a warm beverage.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Cozy Drink Ideas
Looking for more warm drinks? Try one of these!
If you try this Rosemary tea recipe, please leave a comment below letting me know how you like it! And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too. We can all benefit from your experience.
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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite cold weather drink?
Thank you so much for such an informative message God bless you always
I recently planted three rosemary sprigs in hydroponic pots under LED grow lights, and to my delight, they flourished abundantly. Your insightful article has inspired me to explore brewing different types of rosemary teas for both health benefits and personal enjoyment. A grateful reader from Singapore. Thank you so much for sharing!