How to Make Rosemary Tea: Recipe, Flavour and Best Pairings
Updated: 5 hours ago
You probably know rosemary best as a sturdy shrub in the garden or a pot on the balcony. But steep a few sprigs in hot water and you discover a completely different side of this herb. Rosemary tea is herbal, fresh and slightly resinous, with a scent that fills the whole house.
In this guide you'll learn how to make rosemary tea with fresh or dried rosemary, how long to steep it, which herbs to pair it with and what to keep in mind. A simple ritual for grey mornings or a quiet moment at the end of the afternoon.
What is rosemary tea?
Rosemary tea is a herbal infusion: you steep the leaves of the rosemary plant (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) in hot water for a few minutes. Like other herbal teas, it doesn't come from the tea plant and is naturally caffeine-free.
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, where it grows on dry, sunny hillsides. For centuries it has been used in infusions, baths and herbal rinses. Want to know more about the plant itself? Read Rosemary: Benefits, Uses and DIY Recipes for Hair, Skin & Wellbeing.
What does rosemary tea taste like?
Rosemary tea has a distinctive flavour: herbal and woody, with notes of pine, a hint of citrus and something slightly camphor-like. Fresh rosemary gives a brighter, greener cup. Dried rosemary tastes fuller and a little warmer.
Because the flavour is strong, less is often more. Start with a small amount and a short steeping time, and build up gently. A slice of lemon or a spoonful of honey softens the tea.
How to make rosemary tea: the basic recipe
All you need is rosemary and hot water.
What you need (for 1 cup):
1 sprig of fresh rosemary, about 8 to 10 cm long, or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
250 ml water, just off the boil
Optional: a slice of lemon or a little honey
How to make it:
Briefly rinse the fresh rosemary. Rub it between your hands or bruise it lightly to release the scent.
Place the rosemary in a cup, teapot or herb sachet.
Pour over the hot water and cover the cup with a saucer. This keeps the fragrant oils in your tea rather than letting them escape with the steam.
Steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Taste as you go: after around ten minutes the flavour quickly turns bitter.
Remove the rosemary or strain the tea, then add lemon or honey to taste.
Tip: add honey once the tea has cooled slightly. That way the flavour stays at its best.
Fresh or dried rosemary?
Both work well. Fresh rosemary is ideal if you have a plant in the garden or on the balcony. Snip off a young, soft tip, as it has the mildest flavour. Dried rosemary is available all year round and has a more concentrated aroma, so you need less of it.
Still have a large shrub after summer? In How to Dry Herbs at Home you'll learn how to harvest, dry and store your rosemary, so you can make rosemary tea all winter long. And if you'd like to grow your own, see Top 10 Herbs to Grow for Delicious Non-Alcoholic Drinks.
For tea, use rosemary you've grown yourself or rosemary sold as a culinary herb. Ornamental plants from the garden centre may have been treated with products that aren't meant for eating or drinking.
Making rosemary tea with a herb sachet
Dried rosemary needles are small and sharp, and they like to float around in your cup. A herb sachet solves this neatly: fill the bag, let it steep and lift it out in one go. Handy, especially when you combine rosemary with other herbs.
A paper tea filter is fine for a single cup. If you make herbal tea often, a cotton bag or a stainless steel tea ball is a sustainable alternative. Read more in What Is a Herb Sachet? Everything You Need to Know.
You can also fill a few sachets with your favourite blend in advance and keep them in a sealed jar. That way you always have a cup of rosemary tea ready to go, and it makes a lovely little gift too.
Lovely rosemary tea pairings
Rosemary is a bold flavour and loves the company of herbs that soften it or help it shine.
Rosemary and lemon – the classic. A slice of lemon or a strip of peel makes the tea fresh and light.
Thyme and rosemary – two Mediterranean herbs that complement each other beautifully. Together they make a warm, herbal cup for cold days.
Rosemary and mint – mint makes the tea softer and fresher. Lovely if you find pure rosemary a little too strong.
Rosemary and ginger – a few slices of fresh ginger give a spicy, warming tea.
Rosemary and sage – an earthy, grounding blend. Use sage sparingly; see also Sage Tea Benefits.
Rosemary, orange peel and cinnamon – a wintry blend reminiscent of a fragrant simmer pot, only to drink. See also Warming Drinkable Simmer Pots.
Drinking rosemary tea cold
In summer, rosemary also makes a delicious cold drink. Brew the tea a little stronger, let it cool and chill it in the fridge for a few hours. Pour over ice with a slice of lemon or a few slices of cucumber.
Or add a sprig of rosemary and a few slices of lemon to a carafe of cold water and let it infuse for a few hours. Want more? Try our herbal iced tea, these infused water recipes or make your own DIY syrups.
What is rosemary tea traditionally used for?
Rosemary has been known as the herb of remembrance for centuries. In ancient Greece, students wore sprigs of rosemary while studying, and in many European traditions the herb was linked to clarity and vitality.
In traditional herbalism, rosemary tea is often enjoyed after a meal, and many people find its fresh scent uplifting when they feel a little sluggish. Compounds in rosemary, such as rosmarinic acid, are being researched, but most studies are small or lab-based. So enjoy rosemary tea for what it is: a flavourful, fragrant herbal tea and a lovely moment for yourself, not a medicine. You can read more about its traditional uses in Rosemary Tea Benefits: A Brew for Mind & Body.
What to keep in mind
Rosemary in normal amounts, such as in a cup of tea, is considered safe for most adults. Still, there are a few things to bear in mind:
Drink rosemary tea in moderation and alternate it with other herbal teas.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check with your midwife or GP first.
Do you have epilepsy, or take medication such as blood thinners, blood pressure medication or diuretics? Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice first.
Don't give rosemary tea to young children without advice.
Never add rosemary essential oil to tea or other drinks. It is far too concentrated to ingest.
The information in this article is for inspiration only and is not medical advice.
Leftover tea? Use it as a hair rinse
Don't throw away leftover rosemary tea. Once cooled, you can use it as a natural hair rinse after washing, an age-old practice that has made a real comeback in recent years. For a rinse, make the infusion stronger. Find out how in How to Make Rosemary Water for Your Hair.
Rosemary tea FAQs
How long should you steep rosemary tea?
Usually 5 to 7 minutes. A shorter steep gives a mild tea; after about 10 minutes the flavour often turns bitter.
How much rosemary do you need for a cup of tea?
About 1 sprig of fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary per 250 ml of water. If it's too strong, use less or steep for a shorter time.
Can you drink rosemary tea every day?
Most healthy adults tolerate a cup a day well. Drink it in moderation, alternate it with other herbal teas and check with your doctor if you're pregnant, take medication or have a health condition.
Does rosemary tea contain caffeine?
No. Rosemary tea doesn't come from the tea plant and is naturally caffeine-free. Many people do find its fresh scent invigorating.
Can you use dried rosemary from the spice cupboard?
Yes, as long as it's pure dried rosemary without added salt or other spices. Give it a sniff first: rosemary that has barely any scent left won't give much flavour either.
Can you drink rosemary tea during pregnancy?
Large amounts of rosemary are not recommended during pregnancy. Always check with your midwife or GP before drinking rosemary tea.
What's the difference between rosemary tea and rosemary water?
Rosemary tea is made for drinking: you steep the rosemary briefly in hot water. Rosemary water for hair care is usually much stronger, steeps for longer and is meant for external use.
Discover more about rosemary and herbal tea
Rosemary tea is a simple way to give this versatile herb a place in your daily rhythm. Make a cup, take your time and enjoy the scent. Want to explore more you can do with rosemary? Read on:
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