Gather your ingredients
For two cups. The optional additions are yours to choose.
½ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves (about 8 g), washed- 2 cups freshly boiled water (480 ml)
Optional: 1 lemon wedge per cup- Optional: 1–2 teaspoons honey or sugar, to taste
How to make it
Rinse the mint under running water. Pick off the leaves and tender tips; discard damaged leaves and thick, woody stems. Lightly press the leaves once between clean fingers to release their aroma.
Put the mint in a heat-safe teapot or jug. Pour over 2 cups of freshly boiled water and cover. Keep a glass pot off the stove unless its manufacturer specifically says it is safe for stovetop use.
Steep for 5–8 minutes. Taste a spoonful after 5 minutes, taking care with the hot liquid. For a stronger cup, steep a little longer or add more mint next time.
Strain into two cups. Add a small squeeze of lemon or a little sweetener if you like. Serve warm.
What's in this drink
- Fresh mint leaves: USDA lists 11.9 mg iron and 1.12 mg manganese for 100 g of the food used as the fresh mint leaves reference. USDA: Spearmint, fresh.
- Optional lemon: USDA lists 53 mg vitamin C and 2.8 g fiber for 100 g of the food used as the optional lemon reference. USDA: Lemons, raw, without peel.
Nutrient figures are per 100 g of the USDA reference ingredient, not per serving.
Nutrients in the herbs, flowers, spices, or fruit are not measured nutrient totals for the strained infusion. Spearmint is the USDA reference variety in this fresh mint tea; other mint varieties can differ.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate leftovers promptly. Follow the storage directions on opened packaged ingredients. FoodSafety.gov recommends refrigerating perishable food within two hours, or one hour above 90°F, and keeping the refrigerator at 40°F or below.
Short FAQ
Can I boil the mint leaves?
This recipe uses a covered steep rather than continued boiling. Start there for a fresh leaf-forward flavor and fewer steps.
Can I use the stems?
Tender tips can go into the pot, but remove large tough stems. The measured amount refers to loose leaves, not an entire tightly packed bunch.
