How to Make Lemongrass Tea

A simple and delicious recipe that will soothe your throat and refresh your spirit

Co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: June 22, 2024

Lemongrass tea is soothing, citrusy, and absolutely delicious. It's not actually tea, since it's made from lemongrass stalks instead of tea leaves, but this herbal beverage is perfect served hot or cold. Even better, it's super easy to make yourself!

Ingredients

4 cups (950 mL) water
2 cups (150 g) lemongrass stalks
1/4 cup (50 g) sugar (optional)
Milk, cream, honey, ginger, and/or lime (optional)

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Brewing the Tea

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1
Chop 2 cups of lemongrass stalks or leaves. Hit the stalks with the flat side of your knife blade to bruise them. This will release the fragrant oil inside of the tough stalks. Then, carefully give the lemongrass a rough chop. The pieces should be about ¹⁄₂–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) long.
- If you're using home-grown lemongrass, you can use the leaves to make the tea. There’s no need to bruise the leaves, though.
- Chop the lemongrass on a cutting board so you don't dull your knife blade or damage your countertop!
- Since lemongrass is often sold already cut if you buy it at a grocery store, the number of stalks you'll need will vary.
2
Bring 4 cups (950 mL) of water to a boil over high heat. Pour your water into a medium-sized saucepan or another similar pot so the water doesn’t boil over once it heats up. Then, place it on the stove on high heat for a few minutes until it reaches a boil.^{[1]
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- Be careful as the water heats up. The pot will become very hot!
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3
Add the lemongrass and continue boiling the water for 5 minutes. Once the water reaches a rapid, rolling boil, it’s time to add the lemongrass. Carefully drop the chopped lemongrass directly into the boiling water. If you need to, give it a stir with a long-handled spoon to ensure the lemongrass is completely submerged, then let it steep in the boiling water for about 5 minutes.^{[2]
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- A rapid boil means if you stir the water, it shouldn't stop bubbling.
- Hold the lemongrass close to the surface of the water when you drop it in. This will reduce the chances that it will splash back onto you.^{[3]
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Tip: If you want to make the tea in a teapot, boil the water, then pour the boiling water and the chopped lemongrass into the teapot. Cover the teapot with a towel or tea cozy and let the mixture steep for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes fragrant.
4
Pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the stalks. After the tea has finished steeping, it’s best to strain it so you don’t accidentally end up drinking any fibers from the lemongrass. Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer or colander into a pitcher or another container.^{[4]
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- While lemongrass is perfectly edible, the fibers from the stalks might be an unpleasant addition to a soothing cup of tea.
- If you like, you can strain the tea directly into your teacup.
5
Serve right away if you prefer warm tea. A warm cup of lemongrass tea is soothing and delicious in the morning or on a cool day. Once you’ve strained it, you can enjoy the tea as soon as it’s cool enough to drink!^{[5]
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- Sweeten the tea in your cup with a little honey or sugar, if you like.
6
Chill the mixture to make iced tea. If you prefer iced tea, place your pitcher of lemongrass tea into the refrigerator for an hour or so. This will create a refreshing, citrusy herbal tea that’s perfect on a hot day or served with your meals.^{[6]
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- To make sweetened iced tea, stir in 1/4 cup (50 g) of sugar before you place the tea in the refrigerator.
- For the best results, serve the chilled tea over ice.
James A. Duke, Medicinal Plants Expert

Lemongrass contains antioxidants and compounds linked to anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antifungal and antidepressant effects. Steeping it as a fragrant, citrusy tea is a simple way to gain these therapeutic benefits.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Adding Other Flavors

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1
Stir in a splash of milk if you like a creamy tea. If you like milk in your tea, you’ll probably enjoy it in lemongrass tea as well. This traditional tea addition will cool off a cup of hot tea, and it adds a creamy mouthfeel to this herbal treat. The amount you use depends on how much you like, but it’s best to start with about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) and work from there.^{[7]
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- If you like, you can use heavy cream or half-and-half instead.
2
Add 1 tsp (7 g) of honey for a sweeter tea. The rich sweetness of honey perfectly complements lemongrass. Measure out 1 tsp (7 g) of your favorite honey, then stir it in until it’s completely dissolved.
- If you still want your tea to be sweeter, add another tsp (7 g) of honey.
3
Steep the tea with ginger for a little spice. If you want to use fresh ginger root in your tea, slice off a piece that’s about 1 in (2.5 cm) long scrape off the peel. Then, drop it into the water while you’re boiling the lemongrass.^{[8]
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- A tea made from ginger and lemongrass will be spicy, tangy, and comforting, and it’s especially soothing if you have a sore throat or a head cold.
4
Squeeze in a little lime to enhance the tangy flavor. Lemongrass has a natural citrus flavor, but it’s a little more mellow than using actual lemons or limes. If you want to amp up the citrus taste, squeeze a wedge of lime over your tea. Start with about ¹⁄₂ tsp (2.5 mL) of lime juice, then add more if you want.^{[9]
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- The lime will provide more of a contrast to the lemongrass than a lemon, which might mask the subtle flavor of the lemongrass.
Tip: You can mix and match any of these flavors, but feel free to get creative with other additions. For instance, you could add a little cinnamon or orange zest, or you could drop in 1-2 drops of your favorite extract, like vanilla, cherry, or coconut!

Community Q&A

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Where would I get lemongrass?

Community Answer

You can often find lemongrass in a grocery store, usually found in the vegetable section. If you live in a tropical environment, you may be able to find it growing locally.

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how to make lemongrass tea and keep it for a long time?

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Teas are best not stored for longer as it can turn toxic after a period of time. You can keep some in the fridge for a day or maximum of two days.

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Things You'll Need

Sharp knife
Cutting board
Saucepan/pot
Teacup, mug, or glass
Teapot (optional)
Pitcher (optional)
Refrigerator (optional)

Tips

You can also add a stalk of lemongrass to a cup of hot tea while you’re brewing it. When you’re steeping the tea bag, tie a stalk of lemongrass in a knot and drop it in the hot water.

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