No matter the season, some people enjoy winding down after a long day with a steaming mug of hot tea. But once cooler weather hits, brewing hot tea drinks that warm you from the inside out feels even more appropriate.
But instead of opting for the plain black tea bag in your cabinet, you can try some new—homemade!—hot tea ideas this season. Learning how to make homemade hot tea using fresh herbs, fruit, and more is really easy. You can even reap extra benefits when making tea at home by adding ingredients that support your body in its natural immune process, such as fresh ginger, cinnamon, and pomegranate.
Already dreaming of your next cup of tea? Grab your blanket and a good book, and cozy up with one of these delicious recipes from our Test Kitchen.
1. Lemon Balm Tea
Make good use of the lemon balm herb, regardless of whether you grew it yourself, with this simple tea recipe, which is basically just steeped lemon balm. You can add honey, sugar, or a slice of lemon for a little flavor, or just enjoy the taste from the lemony and mint leaves.
2. Turmeric Tonic
Turmeric is a vibrant orange-colored root that’s become trendy in the culinary and health worlds in the past few years but is far from new to the spice scene. The peppery, earthy root contains high levels of the antioxidant compound curcumin (which makes it so bright in color). In addition, it’s commonly consumed for its anti-inflammatory properties. Here turmeric, ginger (a relative to turmeric), and cinnamon mix in this healthy hot tea recipe.
3. Spiced Apple Tea
If you really want to bring in some fall and winter flavors to your beverages, try this hot tea drink. Black tea is simmered with apple juice and fragrant warm spices such as cloves and cardamom. Maple syrup is added to the mix for a bit of extra sweetness that feels especially fitting for cool nights.
4. Ginger Tea
Leave it to ginger to be the standalone star of making hot tea without any teabags. All you have to do is steep fresh ginger slices, a sprig of rosemary or mint, and a bit of honey together in a cup of hot water for five minutes and you’ve got a steamy mug ready for drinking. Use freshly boiled water from your tea kettle to ensure the best flavor.
Now that you know how to make the best hot tea, you can start getting creative with herbs from your garden or other fresh fruits and ingredients from the market. And because a cup of tea is always better with snacks, make a batch of scones or these strawberry cheesecake bites to keep the tea party theme going. Cozy up with some of our other favorite hot drink recipes for anyone who’s not a big fan of tea.