Homemade Chamomile Iced Tea Recipe
This homemade chamomile iced tea is light, soothing, and full of delicate floral flavors making every sip feel like peak relaxation! It’s the perfect drink to cool off with on a warm afternoon but feel free to enjoy this iced tea year round like we do! Chamomile tea steeped with lemon zest, brightened with freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice then sweetened to taste.
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Not only does this iced tea recipe taste amazing but studies have found that chamomile naturally has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain as well as several other health benefits!
Serve it up in a tall glass over ice for the most refreshing drink! Add a few slices of fruit or sprigs of mint for a hint of extra flavor!
Want more drink recipes? Try this lavender blueberry lemonade or this Jamaican sorrel drink!
Key Ingredients
Chamomile tea. I opt for tea bags but you can also use loose flowers. If using dried or fresh chamomile flowers you’ll need about 10 grams to replace the tea bags
Citrus. Lime juice and lemon juice and zest are used in this recipe.
Sweetener. Add sweetener to taste. I use granulate white sugar for a neutral flavor. You can use brown sugar, honey or maple syrup but, depending on the quantity added, these can distract from the flavor of the chamomile.
Tips for the Best Chamomile Iced Tea
Don’t use the lime rind. Lime zest has a higher concentration of bitter compounds. Incorporating the lime zest with the hot water will make the chamomile iced tea bitter. Lemon zest on the other hand doesn’t have as much bitter compounds so using the rind in the iced tea is ok and helps to pack in more flavor.
Add fruits. This chamomile iced tea is a great way to use up those wrinkled fruits in the back of the refrigerator to add a little extra flavor. If using fruits, add them to the water and bring the water to a simmer. Remove from the heat, add the chamomile flower, cover and allow to steep as usual.
After steeping, strain the fruits, pressing to expel the excess water. Do not blend the fruit.
Cover the tea as it steeps! Some of the compounds and essential oils that contribute to flavor and medicinal properties can be lost as steam. Covering the tea while is steeps prevents steam, ergo flavor, from escaping.
How to Make the Best Chamomile Ice Tea
Step 1. Peel the lemons and add the rind to a large heat-resistant bowl. Add the lemon juice along with the chamomile tea bags. The lime juice will be added later.
Step 2. Heat water up to 190°F. I use the oolong setting on my electric kettle but you can just bring the water to a simmer on the stove top. Don’t allow the water to come to rolling boil. If the water is too hot it will scald the chamomile, giving it a bitter flavor.
Step 3. Pour water over the chamomile tea bags and lemon rind. Cover and allow to steep for 30 minutes.
Step 4. Once the chamomile tea has steeped, pour through a strainer to separate from the tea bags and the lemon zest. Be sure to squeeze the tea bags gently to express any remaining liquid then discard along with the lemon rind.
Step 5. Add the lime juice and granulated sugar to taste. Transfer to a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve! Serve over ice cubes.
If your pitcher has an infuser lid you can add fresh herbs like sprigs of fresh mint or even basil for an added layer of flavor.
Recipe Card
Homemade Chamomile Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Peel the lemons and add the rind to a large heat-resistant bowl. Add the lemon juice along with the chamomile tea bags.
- Heat water up to 190°F. I use the oolong setting on my electric kettle but you can just bring the water to a simmer on the stove top. Don’t allow the water to come to rolling boil. If the water is too hot it will scald the chamomile, giving it a bitter flavor.
- Pour the hot water over the chamomile tea bags and lemon rind. Cover and allow to steep for 30 minutes.
- Once the chamomile tea has steeped, pour it through a strainer to separate from the tea bags and the lemon zest. Be sure to squeeze the tea bags gently to express any remaining liquid then discard along with the lemon rind.
- Add the lime juice and granulated sugar to taste. Transfer to a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve! Serve over ice cubes.
Nutrition
Notes
- If your pitcher has an infuser lid you can add fresh herbs like sprigs of fresh mint or even basil for an added layer of flavor.
- Don’t use the lime rind. Lime zest has a higher concentration of bitter compounds. Incorporating the lime zest with the hot water will make the chamomile iced tea bitter.
- Cover the tea as it steeps. Steam equals flavor leaving.
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