Fresh Sage Tea with Lemon and Honey

Name: Fresh Sage Tea with Lemon and Honey
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 16 medium leaves (10 g) fresh sage leaves, rinsed, patted dry, and gently bruised between your fingers; 2½ cups (600 ml) water, fresh, cold; 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon, freshly squeezed juice (about 1 small lemon); 2 tablespoons (42 g) honey, or to taste; 2 thin slices (10 g) lemon, cut crosswise, for garnish (optional)

From the MyKitchenBank Kitchen

A soothing Mediterranean-style herbal tea made by steeping fresh sage leaves in just-boiled water, then brightening it with lemon and sweetening it with honey. Earthy, savory, and gently citrusy.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 5 min
Wait: 7 min
Total: 17 min
Makes: 2 mugs (about 10 fl oz / 300 ml each)

Save to My Kitchen Jump to recipe

Steps

Before you start

Use fresh, unblemished sage leaves; rinse them just before using.
Steep for no more than 7 minutes, since sage turns bitter and medicinal if over-steeped.
Let the water cool for about 30 seconds off the boil so it doesn't scorch the leaves.
Sage is not recommended in large amounts during pregnancy or breastfeeding; check with your doctor if unsure.

1
Prepare the sage
- Rinse the sage leaves under cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Roll or press each leaf gently between your fingers to bruise it and release its oils.
+ Show details− Hide details
Ready when: Leaves smell strongly herbal and piney
Tip: Don't tear or chop the leaves; whole bruised leaves are easy to strain out.
2
Juice the lemon
- Squeeze the lemon to get 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of juice, removing any seeds.
- Cut 2 thin slices from the remaining lemon for garnish if using.
+ Show details− Hide details
Ready when: About 2 tablespoons juice, seed-free
3
Boil the water
- Bring 2½ cups (600 ml) water to a full boil in a kettle or small saucepan over high heat, about 4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let stand 30 seconds.
+ Show details− Hide details
Ready when: Large, rolling bubbles break the surface
Tip: A short rest off the boil keeps the flavor smoother.
4
Steep the sage
- Place the bruised sage leaves in the teapot or jar.
- Pour the hot water over them, cover, and steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
+ Show details− Hide details
Ready when: Tea is pale golden-green and smells distinctly of sage
Tip: Cover while steeping so the aromatic oils stay in the tea instead of escaping as steam.
5
Strain and sweeten
- Strain the tea through a fine-mesh strainer into the two mugs, pressing lightly on the leaves.
- Divide the honey and lemon juice between the mugs (1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice each) and stir until the honey dissolves completely.
+ Show details− Hide details
Ready when: No honey streaks remain at the bottom of the mug
Tip: Taste and add more honey 1 teaspoon at a time if you prefer it sweeter.
6
Garnish and serve
- Float a lemon slice in each mug if using, and serve right away while hot.
+ Show details− Hide details
Ready when: Tea is steaming and comfortably sippable

Good to know

Tips

Bruise the leaves gently to release flavor without making the tea grassy.
Taste at 5 minutes; stop steeping once the sage flavor is pleasantly savory, not bitter.
Stir the lemon in after steeping, since acid in the water can dull the sage's flavor.
Add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary for a more layered Mediterranean tea.

Make ahead

Steep and strain the tea up to 1 day ahead without honey or lemon, refrigerate, then reheat gently and add honey and lemon before serving. It also makes a good iced tea.

Storage & reheating

Best fresh. Refrigerate strained tea in a covered container up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming, or serve over ice. Not recommended for freezing, though ice cubes of leftover tea keep up to 1 month.

Substitutions

fresh sage leaves → dried sage, 2 teaspoons (about 2 g). Use a tea ball or strain well; flavor is more concentrated and slightly less bright.
honey → maple syrup or agave. Use the same amount; makes it vegan-friendly.
lemon → fresh orange juice. Gives a milder, sweeter citrus note; reduce honey slightly.
lemon → fresh ginger slices. Add 3 thin slices to the steep for warmth.