Absent any actual lemon or tea, this herbal drink lacks the acidity or bitterness of lemonade or iced black tea. Naturally smooth, this lemon balm tea doesn't need much sweetener to make it palatable. Just a quarter cup of honey is all that's needed to sweeten this refreshing concoction.
ingredients
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Balm, leaves & stems
- 2 Quarts Water
- 1/4 Cup Honey
deviations & tips
- Swap some of the lemon balm for mint, basil, or tarragon.
- Serve with thinly sliced lemons or oranges.
- Do experiment with a variety of honey. The mellowness of this tea lets the honey flavors pop!
In a microwave safe measuring cup or bowl, combine honey with a 1/2 cup of the water. Microwave for about a minute and stir until honey is dissolved. If the honey isn't completely incorporated, heat for another minute and stir.
Heating honey with some water helps it to dissolve.
Finely chop herbs. The more the herbs are chopped and crushed, the more readily they'll release their flavor.
Chopped lemon balm
If using a pitcher with a mesh infuser, place chopped herbs into infuser basket. Add honey mixture to 2 quart pitcher and fill with water. Stir to incorporate honey with water. Insert infuser according to manufacturers instructions and secure the lid. Chill in refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
ALTERNATIVELY, add chopped herbs and honey to 2 quart pitcher. Fill with with water. Stir to incorporate honey with water. Cover pitcher. Chill in refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
Pitcher with mesh infuser basket
If using an infuser basket, simply remove basket and enjoy. ALTERNATIVELY, strain the tea using a fine mesh sieve or a coffee filter. I place the sieve into my 2 quart measuring cup, strain the tea into the cup, and return the tea to the 2 qt pitcher.
If desired, serve with lemon or orange.
Lemon Balm Tea with honey and lemon
