To make lemongrass tea, simmer sliced stalks in water for 10–15 minutes, then strain and sweeten or chill as you like.
If you have ever asked yourself “how do you make lemongrass tea?”, you can turn a handful of stalks and a pan of water into a gentle citrus cup in less than half an hour.
This guide walks through a reliable base recipe, small tricks that change the taste, and a few safety notes so you can sip with more confidence.
How Do You Make Lemongrass Tea? Step-By-Step At Home
The basic method for homemade lemongrass tea is steady and forgiving. You bruise and slice the stalks, simmer them in water long enough to draw out the oils, then strain and adjust the flavor.
Lemongrass Tea Ratios And Steeping Times
Start with these ratios, then tweak strength or sweetness to match your taste and the potency of your lemongrass.
| Preparation Style | Ratio (Lemongrass : Water) | Simmer Or Steep Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Hot Tea | 2 stalks : 4 cups | 10–15 minutes simmer |
| Dried Lemongrass | 2 tbsp : 4 cups | 8–12 minutes simmer |
| Tea Bags | 1 bag : 1 cup | 5–7 minutes steep |
| Iced Concentrate | 3 stalks : 3 cups | 15–20 minutes simmer |
| Strong Evening Brew | 3 stalks : 4 cups | 15–20 minutes simmer |
| Light Daytime Sip | 1 stalk : 4 cups | 8–10 minutes simmer |
| Mixed With Other Herbs | 1 stalk : 3 cups | 10–15 minutes simmer |
Ingredients For One Mug
For one large mug of hot lemongrass tea on the stove, use:
- 1 thick lemongrass stalk, outer leaves removed
- 1½ cups (360 ml) water
- Honey, sugar, or other sweetener to taste
- Optional: thin slice of ginger, strip of lemon zest, or a mint leaf
Simple Stovetop Method
- Trim And Clean. Cut off the dry root end and the very woody tip. Peel away any tough outer layers, then rinse the stalk.
- Bruise The Stalk. Lay the stalk on a board and whack it a few times with the side of a knife or a rolling pin. This cracks the fibers so the oils move into the water more easily.
- Slice. Cut the bruised stalk into thin rings, roughly ½ cm wide.
- Simmer. Add the sliced lemongrass and water to a small saucepan, bring just to a boil, then drop the heat so the surface only shivers. Keep it like that for 10–15 minutes.
- Taste. Take a small spoonful. If the lemon note tastes clear and round, you are ready. If it feels weak, give it another few minutes.
- Strain. Pour through a fine sieve into your mug. Press the lemongrass with the back of a spoon to push out the last drops.
- Finish. Stir in a little honey or sugar. Add ginger or citrus if you like more bite, then sip while warm.
Microwave Mug Method
When you only want one quick cup, you can swap the pan for a mug:
- Add sliced, bruised lemongrass to a microwave safe mug with water.
- Heat on high until the water just starts to boil, then rest the mug on the counter for 8–10 minutes with a saucer on top.
- Strain into a clean mug, sweeten, and drink.
Picking And Prepping Lemongrass For Tea
Good lemongrass makes the whole kitchen smell bright while it simmers. At the store, look for stalks that feel firm and heavy, with pale yellow bases and green tops. Brown, dry tips are normal, but the center should not feel limp.
Fresh stalks keep well in the fridge, wrapped in paper and tucked into a bag. You can also freeze trimmed stalks in small bundles so a pot of lemongrass tea is never far away.
Fresh Stalks From Store Or Garden
Fresh lemongrass gives the most lively flavor. The lower white part carries most of the aromatic oils, while the thin green blades add a softer grassy note. For tea, many home cooks trim away much of the leaf and focus on the base.
If you grow lemongrass yourself, cut stalks when they reach at least the thickness of a pencil. Rinse off soil, strip the blade, and keep the bulbed base for the pot.
When Dried Lemongrass Makes Sense
Dried lemongrass lasts longer and works well when fresh stalks are hard to find. The flavor leans a bit more hay like, so you may want to mix it with a strip of lemon peel or a squeeze of lime.
Choose food grade dried lemongrass from a tea blend or spice brand rather than potpourri. A short simmer, around 8–12 minutes, is usually enough to pull out the aroma.
Making Lemongrass Tea At Home: Flavor Tweaks
Once you master the simple base method, you can adjust every part of the brew to match the time of day and your mood. Water and lemongrass stay the same, but extras change the style of the drink.
Adjusting Strength And Sweetness
For a soft afternoon mug, use fewer stalks or a shorter simmer. For a bold night cup, add an extra stalk or let the pan sit a little longer on low heat. If the taste tips toward bitter, thin it with a splash of hot water.
Sweetness is personal. Some people like lemongrass tea plain, others stir in sugar, honey, jaggery, or palm sugar. For a bright edge without more sugar, drop in a wedge of lime after you take the pan off the heat.
Pairing Lemongrass With Other Flavors
Lemongrass plays well with other kitchen staples. Ginger adds warmth. Mint cools the finish. A cinnamon stick leans the drink toward chilly evenings.
A recent overview on lemongrass tea from Healthline notes that research on possible benefits, such as effects on blood pressure and mood, is still early and mostly based on small studies and animal work, so treat any wellness claims as gentle possibilities rather than proven facts.
Serving Lemongrass Tea Hot Or Iced
The same base simmered tea can land in a mug on a cool evening or in a tall glass packed with ice. The difference lies in concentration, chilling time, and what you add at the end.
Hot Lemongrass Tea
For a straightforward hot drink, follow the stovetop directions and drink soon after straining. A thin slice of fresh ginger or a piece of lemon peel in the pan adds body without much extra work.
Some cooks like to add a small pinch of black tea leaves during the last few minutes, then strain everything together. This brings a touch of caffeine and color while keeping the lemongrass in front.
Iced Lemongrass Tea
For iced tea, brew a stronger concentrate, since ice and dilution will soften the taste. Use three stalks for every three cups of water, simmer for 15–20 minutes, and stir in sweetener while the liquid is still warm so it dissolves.
Cool the pan to room temperature, strain, and chill in the fridge. When you are ready, fill a glass with ice and pour the concentrate over. Top with cold water or sparkling water if you want bubbles.
Flavor Add Ins For Any Season
You can switch small details to make lemongrass tea fit any season.
| Add In | Amount Per Cup | Taste Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Ginger Slices | 2–3 thin pieces | Warmer, slight heat in the throat |
| Mint Leaves | 3–4 leaves | Cool finish and light herbal note |
| Lemon Or Lime Juice | 1–2 tsp | Sharper citrus edge and more brightness |
| Honey | 1–2 tsp | Smooth sweetness and rounder taste |
| Cinnamon Stick | 1 short stick | Spiced aroma suited to cold nights |
| Coconut Milk Splash | 1–2 tbsp | Creamier body and dessert style cup |
| Green Tea Leaves | ½ tsp, last 3–4 minutes | Gentle caffeine lift and grassy note |
Safety Notes Before You Drink More Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea starts as a kitchen drink, yet it still counts as a herbal infusion. That means it can interact with health conditions or medicines in ways that deserve care.
A review from WebMD mentions that large amounts of lemongrass may not suit people who are pregnant, nursing, or living with kidney issues, and that evidence in humans is still limited.
If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, nursing, on regular medication, or managing kidney or liver disease, ask your doctor or midwife before brewing lemongrass tea often or drinking very strong infusions.
Start with small, food like amounts. Pay attention to how your body reacts, and stop drinking it if you notice trouble such as stomach upset, rash, or dizziness.
Storing Leftover Lemongrass Tea
Leftover tea can chill in the fridge for two to three days in a covered jug. After that, the flavor fades and the liquid can start to taste flat.
For busy weeks, you can brew a double batch, cool it, and pour into ice cube trays. Drop a few frozen cubes into hot water for a speedy mug, or blend with fresh citrus for a fast iced drink.
Bringing It All Together In Your Kitchen
By the time you try these steps, the question “how do you make lemongrass tea?” starts to feel simple. You know how many stalks to cut, how long to simmer, and which extras make sense for your taste.
After a few pots, you will learn how strong you like your brew and whether you lean toward hot mugs, iced glasses, or creamy coconut versions. From there, every new stalk of lemongrass becomes another chance to tweak a small detail and pour a cup that suits the moment.