English lavender is everywhere! It’s in our cleaning products, soaps, cocktails, perfumes, pastries, coffees – you name it. Maybe that’s because we could all use a bit more relaxation and the best way to get it is with our favorite soothing, floral, familiar scent.
One place where lavender really shines is in tea. I’ve been experimenting with different teas, both caffeinated and decaf, and have grown to love the taste of lavender alongside black English breakfast teas and herbal blends alike. Coffee drinkers have their flat whites, triple shot white chocolate mocha frappuccinos, and all their fancy drinks, but I’ve found the most joy in a simple and humble cup of English lavender tea. Keep reading for a couple of easy, yet luxurious, lavender tea recipes that will fill your cup and turn your home into a proper tea house.
The Health Benefits of Lavender Tea
Lavender is a go-to scent for aromatherapists as a way to promote more restful sleep and relaxation. Ingesting lavender can bring similar benefits and more while adding an unexpected twist to your dish. Lavender contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium – it’s not just a pretty flower! The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory nature of lavender helps to aid in digestion and prevent inflammation that can cause discomfort. It can help to boost your overall health, alleviate stress, and promote better sleep. It’s also calorie-free and has a subtly sweet flavor, making it a great substitute for sugary sodas or coffee drinks. Lavender can be a bit too strong on its own, but when steeped into hot water and paired with a touch of honey, it’s just subtle enough to take you back to your happy place.
Simple English Lavender Tea
Lavender tea can be made with dried lavender buds, store-bought or homemade lavender syrup, culinary lavender, or picked straight off of the plant. If using home grown lavender, harvest the stems and pick off the individual lavender buds to be used in your tea. In any case, you’ll need about two teaspoons of lavender buds per every 8 oz of water. Since this recipe is so simple, you’ll want to use the best ingredients, meaning filtered or spring water, and organic lavender buds.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spring water
- 2 teaspoons English lavender buds (a subtle tasting variety)
Instructions:
- Heat water in a kettle and bring to a rolling boil.
- Turn off heat and add lavender buds to the water using a tea baller, tea infuser, or tea sachet. Let sit for 6-10 minutes (it gets a bit stronger and more bitter the longer it steeps).
- Pour tea into a mug or tea cup, add a bit of lavender-infused honey if you like, and serve.
Cold-Brew Lavender Tea
If you love cold drinks that are ready for you to grab and go, then this overnight cold-brew lavender tea is perfect for you! It’s like an infused water to level up your daily hydration.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spring water
- 2 teaspoons English lavender buds
Instructions:
- Add lavender into the basket of a cold brew pitcher or into a kettle with a tea basket*
- *If you don’t have a tea basket, you can use a tea baller.
- Pour in your water until the basket is submerged – you may need to double your recipe.
- Let sit overnight or for 6-12 hours.
- Pour into a glass with ice and serve.
English Lavender and Chamomile Bedtime Tea
Want to get cozy before you get to bed? Nothing does the trick like a warm cup of tea! Chamomile is a perfect sidekick to lavender to induce calm and peace and send you off to sleep.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spring water
- 1 teaspoon English lavender buds
- 2 teaspoons dried chamomile flowers or one chamomile tea sachet
Instructions:
- Heat water in a kettle and bring to a rolling boil.
- Turn off heat and add lavender buds and chamomile to the water using a tea baller, tea infuser, or tea sachet. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Pour tea into a mug or tea cup, add a bit of lavender-infused honey if you like, and serve.
Lavender Iced Tea
This lavender tea is super simple but has lots of room for experimentation! If you prefer your tea to be on the sweeter side, you can add sugar and simple syrup and drop in a handful of your favorite berries. Blueberries are our favorite!
Ingredients:
- 16 oz spring water
- 4 teaspoons English lavender buds
- Sugar or honey (to taste)
- Blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries (to taste)
Instructions:
- Heat water in a kettle and bring to a rolling boil.
- Turn off heat and add lavender buds to the water using a tea baller, tea infuser, or tea sachet. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Add sugar or lavender-infused honey to taste.
- Move to fridge and allow to sit for an hour.
- Pour into a pitcher and add a handful of your favorite berries. Muddle lightly more more berry flavor and serve.
For a caffeinated kick, try adding a teaspoon of lavender to your black or English breakfast tea to make the classic Earl Grey infusion. Lavender is very forgiving, so have fun with it! Whether you need a kickstart to your day or a warm drink to help you relax at night, lavender is the perfect treat.
MEET THE AUTHOR / ELIZA TALVOLA is a writer from Pittsburgh, PA who considers herself to be a conscious consumer and traveler, slow fashion advocate, and devoted foodie. She is a firm believer in creative reuse and putting people over profits, and is a long time lavender enthusiast. Her favorite product: Lavender Hand Sanitizer Spray