Lavender is a wonderfully versatile herb with countless culinary uses. And making Fresh Lavender Tea is one of the simplest and most delightful ways to enjoy its calming aroma and delicate taste. It’s perfect for mindfulness and relaxation or as a refreshing iced treat on a warm day.
Which Lavender Makes The Best Lavender Tea
Not all lavender varieties are created equal when it comes to tea. My personal favourite for brewing lavender tea (and cooking in general) is Hidcote Lavender, which I grow in my garden. This variety is known for its vibrant color and robust flavor, making it an excellent choice for infusions. Another excellent English Lavender variety (that I also grow) is ‘Munstead’. And ‘Royal Velvet, is another that I’ve seen recommended for cooking with.
How To Harvest Your Lavender: Tips For Success
When harvesting lavender from your garden, it’s important NOT TO USE any shop-bought lavender unless it has been growing in your garden for at least a year. This will ensure that any pesticide residues from garden center or nursery treatments have had time to disappear completely, making your tea safe and natural.
How to prepare your lavender for tea:
- Pick fresh lavender stems early in the morning when the oils are most concentrated.
- Choose flower heads that are fully opened but not yet fading for the best flavor.
- Rinse the stems gently under cold water to remove dust, dirt, and any tiny garden visitors.
- And remember, always leave plenty behind for your garden wildlife.
How To Make Lavender Tea
Making lavender tea is actually very quick and easy.
- Place 1-3 sprigs of fresh lavender into a cup. Leave enough stem so it sticks out of the cup like a delicate spoon handle. If you’re using a teapot, you’ll need to at least tripple the quantity
- Bring water to the boil and pour the hot water over the lavender.
- Let it steep for 5–10 minutes, depending on your desired strength.
- Remove the lavender and enjoy the fragrant tea.
You’ll notice the pigment from the petals gently tinting the water. The longer it steeps, the deeper the colour and flavour.
Serving Suggestions:
- Enjoy your lavender tea hot for a cozy, calming experience.
- Serve it cold, with or without ice, for a refreshing summer drink. Add a slice of lemon or a drizzle of honey for extra flavour. If you’re looking for a unique floral sweetener, why not try homemade dandelion honey? You can find an easy dandelion honey recipe here!
- For a full lavender experience, why not elevate your tea time with these tasty Lavender Madeleines or a decadent serving of Lavender Ice Cream with Meringue? For even more delicious lavender recipe ideas, check out the section below for inspiration.
Lavender Tea and Beyond: Ideas to Enhance Your Lavender Love
You can make so many tasty treats with Lavender, as well as using it in crafts. I use it a lot in baking, and it makes the most delicious ice-cream!
Lavender Recipes to Try:
- Lavender Madeleines: Delicate and buttery, these are the perfect accompaniment to your lavender tea.
- Lavender Cookies: Perfectly buttery and fragrant, these cookies are a delightful companion to your tea.
- Lemon and Lavender Sugar Pancakes: A delightful twist on a breakfast classic.
- Lavender Ice Cream with Meringue and Mixed Berry Coulis: A decadent dessert that highlights lavender’s unique flavour.
- Soothing Lavender and Epsom Salt Bath Soak: Not edible, but a heavenly way to relax after enjoying your tea!
More Lavender Inspiration
Lavender is a beautiful gift from nature, offering endless possibilities for both culinary and craft projects.
Watch the video below for more ideas on how to use lavender from your garden. And if you’re intrigued by floral teas, check out A Beautiful Space to learn about the benefits of drinking dandelion tea or .
- Red Ted Art – I love these Lavender Wands. So pretty and would look great attached to a present. She also showed some simple Kid friendly no sew Lavender Pillows or there are some easy sew Lavender Cushions for more able kids. And she also has some Lavender Sugar
- Kids Chaos – Yummy Lavender Scones. Perfect for Summer picnics.
- BlueBearWood – I’ve got some tasty Lavender Cookies and some Lavender Sugar That is slightly different to RedTedArt (post to come)
- Domestic Goddesque – Made some very clever Lavender fans and an easy Lavender Body Scrub.
- Me And My Shadow – Sadly had some technical issues but has blogged how to make some delicious Homemade Lavender Lemonade
Sounds totally gorgeous.