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Peppermint has a bunch of great health benefits (like better digestion and a soothing, cooling effect), is caffeine-free, and is safe to drink every day.
Why Make Peppermint Iced Tea?
Peppermint is one of those herbs that is incredibly easy to work with. Dried peppermint is widely available, while fresh peppermint can be grown in a garden or container and harvested as needed.
The flavor is naturally bold, so peppermint tea doesn’t require a long list of ingredients. It can be enjoyed plain, lightly sweetened, or combined with other herbs and citrus for a more interesting iced drink.
A few easy ways to customize it include:
Adding fresh lemon or lime
Sweetening it with honey or simple syrup
Combining peppermint with lemon balm or fresh mint
Adding fresh berries or cucumber
Serving it over plenty of ice
Mixing it with sparkling water for a fizzy variation
What Kind of Peppermint to Use for Tea
Both loose-leaf dried peppermint and peppermint tea bags work well for this recipe.
Loose-leaf peppermint gives you more control over the amount used and makes it easy to adjust the strength of the finished tea.
Peppermint tea bags are convenient and require no separate strainer. For this recipe, use about 3–4 tea bags per quart of water, adjusting the amount according to the brand and preferred strength.
Fresh peppermint can also be used. Since fresh leaves contain more water than dried leaves, you’ll generally need a larger volume of fresh herbs to create a similarly flavorful infusion.
For the best flavor, choose peppermint intended for culinary use, particularly when harvesting from a garden or buying loose herbs.
How to Make Peppermint Iced Tea
Let’s get to brewing up this delicious and nutritious concoction.
You’ll need:
- quarter-sized jar
- loose-leaf tea strainer
- 3 tablespoons peppermint leaf
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
How-to:
- Bring 1 quart of water to a boil
- Place a tea strainer over the top of a quart-sized jar
- Measure 3 TBS of loose-leaf peppermint into your tea strainer
- Pour boiling water over peppermint, filling the jar
- Place a lid on the jar and let it steep for at least 15 minutes.
- Remove the strainer and discard (or compost!) the used peppermint leaves
- Add honey, if desired, while the tea is still warm and stir (or shake the jar with the lid on).
- Refrigerate and serve over ice.
Notes:
- To use peppermint tea bags, use 3 or 4 bags per quart of tea.
- If you prefer a stronger brew, use an extra tablespoon of peppermint leaf or an extra bag of tea.
- Drink within 2 days of brewing.
Optional Add-ins:
The peppermint flavor still stands out, but I get the added benefit of additional herbs included. My favorites to mix in with the peppermint and drink iced arstrene:
Lemon balm – great for after dinner or winding down
Moringa – a fabulous immune-boosting herb
FAQs: Common Questions About Making Peppermint Iced Tea
Can I use fresh peppermint instead of dried or tea bags?
Yes! You’ll need more fresh peppermint than dried when making an herbal infusion with fresh mint. Use about 1 cup of fresh peppermint leaves for 4 cups of water. Muddle the leaves slightly before steeping to release more flavor.
How long does peppermint iced tea last in the refrigerator?
Properly stored in an airtight container, peppermint iced tea stays fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
Should I sweeten peppermint iced tea?
This is completely up to you and your personal preference. Peppermint tea has a naturally refreshing flavor and is delicious on its own without a sweetener.
You can also use simple syrup, agave or an organic sugar, if you prefer. Add your sweetener of choice while the tea is still warm so it dissolves easily.
Is peppermint iced tea caffeinated?
Pure peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free. Fun fact – it is actually an herbal infusion because it comes from the leaves of the peppermint plant (Mentha x piperita) and not the tea (Camellia sinensis) plant.