At home, we've always been fans of minted tea, especially the one made with Yerba Buena, the fragrant, slightly sweeter cousin of mint often used in Latin kitchens and gardens. I have such vivid memories of caring for those mint plants as a child. My grandmother had a terrace overflowing with little pots of edible greens, and mint was always her favorite. We used it constantly: fresh leaves steeped in hot water, crushed into cooling summer drinks, even tucked into meat dishes or desserts.
In the summertime, we'd sip iced lemon minted teas to cool down after long, hot afternoons. Nothing felt more refreshing than a glass of cold minted tea with lots of ice and a squeeze of citrus. Then, during winter, my grandmother would prepare fresh mint tea to soothe sore throats and settle uneasy stomachs. Mint tea benefits were passed down through generations, gentle enough for kids to enjoy but powerful enough to bring comfort when we needed it.
My love for herbal teas started young and only grew stronger over time. As an adult, I found myself reaching for mint tea regularly. That love deepened even further during a long stay in Morocco, where we learned how to prepare traditional Moroccan mint tea: intensely aromatic, poured high into delicate glasses, and sweetened just right. The ritual of making and serving it became something sacred, an act of care and hospitality.
But you don't need fresh mint leaves on hand to enjoy a good, minted tea. In this post, we'll explore a variety of ways to prepare it, using fresh herbs, dried blends, and even pre-packaged teas with thoughtful additions. We'll cover everything from a simple classic mint tea to more elevated versions like honey citrus mint tea, lemongrass mint tea, mint green tea or green tea with mint leaves, black mint tea, ginger mint tea, and chamomile mint tea.
Mint tea is incredibly versatile. It's easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and works just as well iced in the summer as it does warm in the colder months. If you're planning a barbecue or backyard gathering this season, a pitcher of lemon minted tea with crushed ice can be the go-to drink for both kids and tea lovers alike. And if you're looking to upgrade it for the adults, just add rum and swap flat water for something sparkling, and voilà, you've got yourself a refreshing Cuban-style mojito.
With summer just under a month away, now is the perfect time to master a go-to mint tea you can enjoy again and again. Even if you're more of a coffee drinker, everyone should know at least one mint tea recipe that's simple, soothing, and endlessly refreshing. Whether you're winding down after a long day, caring for a loved one, or just craving something fresh and herbal, minted tea never disappoints.
How to Make Mint Tea: Traditional, Moroccan & Mint Iced Tea
Making a delicious cup of mint tea might sound simple, but if you've ever tried it and felt like the flavor was flat or too mild, you're not alone. There's an art to making truly flavorful mint tea and a few methods that go far beyond just steeping some leaves in hot water. I'll walk you through two easy, tried-and-true methods: the Cuban-inspired version I learned from my grandma and a simplified take on Moroccan mint tea taught to me by locals during my time in Marrakech.
Both are easy to follow, naturally soothing, and can be adapted into a refreshing iced minted tea for summer or a comforting hot tea for chilly days.
Ingredients for Fresh Mint Tea
You'll need just a few basic ingredients to make fresh mint tea at home. These also serve as a base for the various minted tea recipes you'll find below.
Fresh Mint Leaves: Peppermint is our top choice due to its strong, cooling flavor. Spearmint is milder and more subtle, while Yerba Buena (a variety popular in Cuba and some other parts of Latin America) brings a minty flavor that I personally love.
Gunpowder Green Tea: A key ingredient in traditional Moroccan mint tea, this tea has a smoky, earthy taste that complements very well with fresh mint.
Water: Filtered water is best for a clean, fresh flavor.
Sweetener: Traditional recipes often use sugar generously, especially in Morocco and Cuba. But you can adjust to taste or use alternatives like agave, honey or stevia.
Citrus (Optional): A squeeze of fresh lemon, lime, or orange juice can add a refreshing taste to your recipe.
How to Make Mint Method 1: My Grandma's Mint Iced Tea (Cuban-Inspired)
This method is perfect for making a mint iced tea you can sip on all summer long.
Wash and lightly crush your mint leaves. My grandma used to crush them directly in the jar where she'd pour the infusion at the end. You can do that, or simply use your hands, gently tapping the leaves between your palms or rolling them to release their natural oils.
Bring the water pot to a boil, then remove from heat.
Add the crushed mint leaves into the hot water and make sure they're fully submerged.
Cover the pot and let the mint steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Do not boil the leaves directly or stir them in the pot. This can make the tea taste bitter.
Strain the leaves, then pour the mint tea into a jar or pitcher filled with ice.
Add lemon or orange slices and your favorite sweetener to taste. Enjoy!
How to Make Mint Method 2: Simplified Moroccan Mint Tea
Traditional Moroccan mint tea is a ritual in itself, and while the original method can be elaborate, here's a simplified version you can recreate at home.
Boil water, then add 1 teaspoon of loose gunpowder green tea to a teapot. Let it simmer for a minute or two, then pour out a cup of tea without any leaves. Set this cup aside.
Pour a bit more hot water into the teapot with the leaves, swirl it around to rinse them, then pour out and discard this second cup.
Add the first cup of tea back into the pot along with a generous handful of fresh mint leaves and 2–3 teaspoons of sugar (adjust to taste).
Let steep for 5 minutes, then stir well and serve hot.
Tips for Making the Perfect Cup of Minted Tea
Fresh vs. Dried Mint
While fresh mint offers a bright, clean flavor, dried mint leaves tend to have a more concentrated aroma. If you want a stronger mint flavor and don't have access to fresh leaves, dried mint works great.
Making Iced Mint Tea
To make iced minted tea, brew your tea using either of the methods above, let it cool, and pour it over a glass jar filled with crushed ice. Add lemon or a lemonade-style mix to taste. For a fancier option, stir in sparkling water and you’ll have refreshing summer drink.
Don't Over-Steep
Whether you're using mint alone or combining it with green tea, to get the perfect green minted tea, avoid over-steeping, as it can make the tea taste bitter. We recommend steeping the fresh mint leaves for 5 to 10 minutes and never boiling them.
Experiment with ratios
These recipes are a guide, but feel free to adjust the amount of fresh mint leaves and other ingredients to suit your taste.
5 Mint Tea Recipes with a Twist: Honey, Ginger & Citrus Blends
Mint tea is one of the most versatile herbal teas out there, refreshing in summer, soothing in winter, and endlessly customizable. Add some chamomile, citrus, lemongrass, or ginger to create special blends you can enjoy on your own or with family and friends. Whether you're making a comforting cup before bed or a bold, zesty blend to jump-start your morning, these mint tea recipes bring both flavor and wellness to your life.
Here are five delicious recipes to upgrade your regular mint tea into soothing, flavorful, and even immune-boosting minted tea blends you'll want to sip all year long.
Chamomile Minted Tea: The Soothing Bedtime Blend
This calming mint tea recipe is one of my go-to remedies before bed.
Ingredients:
1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
2 tbsp dried chamomile tea blend or 2 chamomile tea bags
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
A pinch of dried lavender (optional, for extra floral flavor)
1 to 2 cups of water
How to Make It:
Bring the water to boil. Add the chamomile, lavender (optional), and mint to your teapot or infuser. Let the leaves steep for 5-8 minutes, then stir in honey to taste.
Honey Citrus Minted Tea: Hot & Cold
This minted tea blend is perfect for chilly days when your throat feels scratchy, or your energy is low. The combination of lemon, honey, and mint is both soothing and immune boosting. Serve it over iced on a hot summer day!
Ingredients:
1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
1 lemon and ginger tea bag
Juice of ½ lemon (or two lemon slices)
1 teaspoon raw honey
A slice of fresh ginger (optional)
1 to 2 cups of water
How to Make It:
Boil 2 cups of water, add the mint, tea bag, and ginger slice (if using). Let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain, then stir in the lemon juice and honey to taste.
Lemongrass Mint Tea: Bright and Refreshing
If you're a fan of Starbucks honey citrus mint tea, you'll love this version. This Lemongrass and minted tea is refreshing, bright and slightly tangy. It's the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!
Ingredients:
1 green tea bag or 1 tsp loose-leaf green tea
1 tbsp dried lemongrass or apple herbal tea (for a slightly fruitier flavor)
1 tbsp lemon verbena (optional)
1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
1 to 2 cups of water
How to Make It:
Bring the water to a boil and add all ingredients. Steep for 5 minutes, strain the leaves out and serve hot or over ice.
Black Mint Tea: Bold & Beautiful
This one is for those who like bold flavors. We learned about this combination in Egypt. Black mint tea offers a robust, earthy flavor that pairs well with milk, sugar, or even spices. Think black-style breakfast tea with a Moroccan mint twist.
Ingredients:
1 black tea bag (or 1 tbsp Assam, Darjeeling, or Ceylon loose-leaf tea)
1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
1-2 teaspoons sugar or milk (optional)
1 to 2 cups of water
How to Make It:
Steep the black tea in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Add the fresh mint leaves and steep for another 3 minutes. Strain and serve with milk or sugar to taste.
Ginger Minted Tea: Healthy & Spicy
Ginger and mint surprisingly make a great pair. This mint tea recipe is good for digestion and inflammation. The spicy warmth of ginger balances perfectly with the cooling notes of fresh mint.
Ingredients:
1 bunch of fresh mint leaves
1-2 slices of fresh ginger
1 tsp honey (optional)
Juice of ¼ lemon (optional)
1 to 2 cups of water
How to Make It:
Bring the water to boil, then add the mint leaves and ginger slices. Let the leaves steep for 5-7 minutes. Using a strainer remove the leaves and the slices before stirring in lemon juice and honey.
Mint Tea Health Benefits
Minted tea is refreshing and packed with health-boosting properties that make it perfect to add to your daily wellness routine. Whether you're steeping fresh herbs or using a pre-packed blend, mint, by itself or combined with other tea ingredients, brings something delicious and powerful to the cup. These are the wellness benefits of mint and some of the companions we use in our minted tea herbal blends:
Mint: Peppermint & Spearmint Health Benefits
Mint is well known for its cooling flavor, soothing effect, and powerful medicinal properties. Both peppermint and spearmint are commonly used in many countries to help soothe menstrual cramps and support healthy digestion. Drinking mint tea after a heavy meal can help ease that feeling of over-fullness, bloating, or indigestion. Mint is also commonly used in Cuba to help reduce nausea and improve mental clarity. Some people even swear it helps reduce cravings and can gently lower body temperature.
Chamomile
Chamomile was another of my grandma's favorite herbs. When paired with mint, chamomile is famous for its calming and relaxing properties. A cup of chamomile mint tea will help ease anxiety, reduce muscle cramps, and promote better sleep. Drink a cup of chamomile and mint tea while repeating your sleep affirmations to create the perfect nighttime ritual to wind down after a long day.
Ginger
When added to mint tea, ginger brings a spicy warmth. You'll love to drink a cup first thing in the morning during the winter months. The immune-boosting benefits of this tea will help prevent or ease cold and flu symptoms. It's also a natural remedy for nausea and motion sickness. It helps to relieve digestive discomfort and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Apple Leaves & Green Leaves
Less commonly known, apple leaves and other green leaves are powerful in their own right. These leaves provide digestive support and are loaded with antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body. Antioxidants play a key role in cellular health, supporting graceful aging and the immune system.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass adds a light, citrusy taste to mint tea while delivering major wellness benefits. It's both detoxifying and cleansing, with natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Lemongrass can help support liver function, reduce inflammation, and even offer gentle pain relief. We recommend a warm lemongrass mint tea for spring mornings.
Green Tea Leaves
When blended with mint, green tea creates a soothing yet energizing infusion. If you are on the fence about the flavor strength of some green teas, mixing with mint will help soften the flavor and enrich your morning. Rich in polyphenols (a type of antioxidant), green tea supports heart health according to Harvard Health Publishing. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Black Tea
Black tea adds a bold, robust taste to mint while offering cardiovascular and cognitive benefits. It may help reduce blood pressure, improve focus, and support gut health through natural prebiotics.
Honey
Honey is more than just a sweetener! It's a natural antibacterial agent. When added to a loose-leaf mint tea, it helps soothe sore throats, ease coughs, and support the immune system. Just make sure you're using real honey so your immune system gets those extra benefits, especially during allergy season.
Agave
For a vegan-friendly alternative, agave syrup provides natural sweetness without raising blood sugar levels as much as processed sugar. It's a smooth, healthy, and a great natural option that adds to the refreshing flavor of mint.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing herbal blend, a zingy citrus infusion, or a bold caffeinated brew, these mint tea recipes with a twist are simple, nourishing, and full of flavor. Try one today, and let us know in the comments which is your favorite!
Love a good tea moment? Explore our DIY herbal tea recipes and tea blends guide to make your perfect cup of soothing, homemade tea.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to pin it and save it for later!
Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves. All opinions are our own. This post may contain some affiliate links and if you choose to purchase some services or products using these links, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We participate in the Amazon LLC Associates Program