How to make Lemongrass Tea

This lemongrass tea is a simple and refreshing drink that soothes your throat and refreshes your spirit. Whether served hot or cold, this delicious beverage delights your senses with its refreshing citrusy flavor and soothing aroma.

Drinking this tea is a culinary adventure for enthusiasts who want to try something new and search for a unique and refreshing drink. Lemongrass tea offers a blend of flavors that differ from traditional herbal teas. 

While traditional herbal teas feature floral or earthy notes, lemongrass tea offers a distinctly lemony flavor with a captivating aroma.

My first encounter with lemongrass tea went differently than I expected.

While visiting our favorite Thai restaurant, we were offered lemongrass tea after our meal for better digestion.

I had an unfortunate misunderstanding when a bowl of warm lemon water was brought to me. Mistakenly thinking it was for washing my hands, I felt a bit embarrassed. However, the kind waitress informed me it was lemongrass tea and offered another cup. Feeling awkward, I decided to try it and slowly started sipping the warm beverage. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It even uplifted my mood after the initial embarrassment.

What is lemongrass tea?

Lemongrass tea is a herbal tea made with fresh or dried leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant, scientifically known as Cymbopogon citratus. It has a bright, tangy, and zesty flavor and a refreshing citrusy scent. You can enjoy it as a soothing cup of hot tea or as a cold, uplifting drink. This caffeine-free brew creates a light yellow or pale green color and great alternative to coffee.

What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass is a plant native to tropical regions, particularly South Asia and India. It belongs to the grass family and is known for its long, slender leaves and distinctive lemon-like fragrance. Its unique citrusy flavor made it a staple in Asian dishes such as soups, curries, stir-fries, and marinades. Later, when people discovered its medicinal benefits, they started to brew it into tea. When lemongrass is heated, it releases its lemony notes and enhances earthy flavors. 

What are the Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea?

1. Lemongrass tea aids digestion. It may help relieve digestive issues such as bloating, stomach cramps, and indigestion. 
2. Its flavor has a soothing effect that can help promote relaxation and alleviate stress. It serves as a calming beverage to unwind and reduce anxiety.
3. Lemongrass tea contains antioxidants and possesses immune-boosting properties. It contains vitamins, minerals, and compounds with potential antimicrobial and antibacterial effects, which may help support the immune system, protect against infections and may help promote clearer skin. Thus make soothing cup of tea eases sore throat.
4. It is often consumed as part of detoxification or cleansing routines. It has diuretic properties, which can help flush out toxins from the body and support kidney health.

Ingredients

Lemongrass: Use Fresh leaves or tea bags.

While lemongrass stalks are used as a cooking herb, lemongrass leaves are more commonly used to make herbal teas and tisanes. However, from my experience, you can use both to make a potent infusion. 

Fresh lemongrass tea leaves have vibrant color and flavor. Whether you use stalks or leaves, chop them into smaller pieces for lemongrass to relieve its bright and zesty flavor. 

Tea Bags are a convenient way to enjoy refreshing tea at home. I suggest combining them with herbs such as chamomile, mint, or ginger to get an uplifting effect. 

Ginger:

Ginger adds a warm and slightly spicy flavor. It is known for its aromatic and refreshing qualities, and it pairs well with the citrusy profile of lemongrass. Add a few slices of fresh ginger root or grated ginger to the boiling water, along with the lemongrass stalks and leaves. Allow it to simmer together to infuse the flavors. Strain the tea before serving to remove the ginger.

Mint leaves

Mint blends well with lemongrass and adds refreshing and cooling notes. If you enjoy the taste of mint and want to add a refreshing twist to your tea, add a few fresh mint leaves while it steeps. 

Lemon

I like adding a lemon or lime slice when serving to highlight the refreshing citrus flavor.

Sweetener:

Use sugar or honey, alternatively maple syrup. This fermented honey adds extra benefits.

How to store lemongrass?

If you have any leftover lemongrass, fresh stalks last several weeks in the refrigerator. Or keep it in a zipper bag in my freezer. You can use it for Asian food like Tom Yum soup, curry, or lemongrass Rice.

Fresh Lemongrass Tea Recipe

First step: Prepare lemongrass

Rinse your lemongrass to get rid of any dirt, and trim off the root end and the tough, woody top part of the stalks. You should be left with the tender middle portion. Next, crush the lemongrass stalks gently with the back of a knife or a rolling pin. This helps to release the flavors and lemony aroma. Alternatively, cut them into smaller or thinner pieces.

Second step: Simmer lemongrass in the boiling water

In a saucepan, pour water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the lemongrass leaves or stalks to the boiling water and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the lemongrass to infuse into the water.

If you use ginger in this recipe, add it simultaneously with lemongrass.

Third step: Strain it and serve

Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the tea to remove the lemongrass stalks. Now is the best time to add other herbs, like mint or chamomile, if you are using them in the recipe. Let them steep for 5 minutes before straining them together with lemongrass. 

You can use a fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer. Add sugar, honey, or jaggery, garnish with a slice of lemon, and serve hot. 

Lemongrass iced tea

This is also very tasty and refreshing when chilled. Once you strain the herb, add sweetener, let the mixture cool, and serve over ice cubes for a refreshing iced tea.

Simple Lemongrass tea with black or green tea

If you prefer to add some caffeine to your tea, add a green or black tea bag for additional benefits. Once you finish simmering your lemongrass tea, remove the saucepan from the stovetop and add a black or green tea bag to the water. Let them steep for the recommended time according to the tea package instructions. Once the tea has steeped, remove them and strain the lemongrass tea to remove the chopped stalks. The same apply if you are using dried lemongrass. Add lemon and sweeten it with honey. Serve hot or chilled.

When is the best time to drink a cup of lemongrass tea?

There is no best time to enjoy a freshly prepared cup of lemongrass tea. You can make this tea anytime you feel. Drinking lemongrass tea in the morning will help you wake up with a boost of energy. In the afternoon, it is a great caffeine-free drink that relieves stress and lets you relax. I like to drink a freshly prepared cup of lemongrass tea after a meal as it helps me digest. But you can also drink it in the evening as a part of your bedtime routine. Its calming and soothing properties help you relax and prepare for sleep. I would drink it without sugar, though. 

What Are The Side Effects Of Lemongrass Tea?

While lemongrass tea is generally considered safe, drinking refreshing tea is also not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding since we don’t have enough information. It is always better to consult with a healthcare professional before including it in your diet.