Basil Tea Recipe using Fresh Leaves

While fresh herbs are perfect for salads, sides and pasta, they can also be used to make soothing herbal tea. Basil is no exception and this basil tea recipe is mild, herbaceous and lovely.

I’ve also used basil to make this simple basil mint tea too but the mild herbaceous flavor isn’t as dominant as the mint. Both are great herbal teas to make at home.

Basil tea, when served, warm is great for colder months. The tea added to ice also makes a refreshing summer drink when the temperatures are scorching. Both versions are lovely.

If you are curious about other herbal teas, stop by these tea recipes with holy basil, chamomile, lavender, and parsley. They’re all worth trying!

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Ingredients for basil tea

Equipment for this recipe

While no equipment is needed, I enjoy using my teapot with tea infuser. It’s great for steeping fresh herbs and clean up is so easy. Of course, you can use a regular teapot and strainer or anything you have available for making brews.

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How to make basil tea

Prep the fresh leaves

Wash the basil leaves. Tear them into large pieces and add them to the tea infuser, teapot or teacup.

Steep

Bring water to a boil using a kettle, saucepan or even the microwave. Pour boiling water over the torn basil leaves. Leave to steep for 30 minutes.

Although sweet basil is delicate, the longer you leave the leaves (pun intended ha!) to steep, the more flavor and color will infuse into the water.

Serve

Strain the tea. You can sweeten at this point with your desired sweetener like honey. Serve warm or allow it to cool, add ice and serve it as a refreshing, summer herbal tea.

More herbal teas

Basil tea recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Basil Tea with Fresh Leaves

Basil tea made with fresh sweet basil leaves has a mild, herbaceous taste that is pleasant and soothing. Steep this tea and serve it warm or cold as a refreshing, afternoon drink.

Prep Time2 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Steep Time30 minutes mins

Total Time37 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: basil tea, sweet basil tea

Servings: 2

Author: Ros Singh

Ingredients

• 6 g sweet basil leaves (2 tbsp or 8 large leaves)
• 2½ cups water

Instructions

• Bring water to a boil (using a kettle, saucepan, etc; approx. 5 minutes).
• Wash the basil leaves.
• Tear them into pieces.
• Add to tea infuser (or teacup).
• Pour boiling water over the leaves.
• Allow to steep for 30 minutes.
• Strain and sweeten if desired.
• Serve warm or cold.