Homemade Oregano Tea

By
Kenton Kotsiris
Kenton Kotsiris & Jane Kleiman
Kenton Kotsiris
Kenton Kotsiris is a recipe developer who grew up cooking Greek food with his family.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/2/22
Tested by
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Tested by Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Homemade Oregano Tea

The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram
Prep: 1 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Steep Time: 3 mins
Total: 9 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 drink
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
22 Calories
0g Fat
6g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 22
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 19mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 9mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Oregano tea is an uplifting, warm drink with a bright flavor. It's not the most common herbal tea, but once you get one taste of this fresh brew, you'll want to make it often. It's semisweet, refreshing, restorative, and delightfully aromatic. Surprisingly, oregano a fantastic herb for a tisane.

While you can purchase packaged oregano tea bags, there's really no need to do so because most contain nothing more than dried oregano. This recipe uses a single sprig of fresh oregano steeped in boiling water for a few minutes, then sweetened with Greek honey. It is inexpensive and has a fresh-from-the-garden taste. The flavor is reminiscent of mint tea but with that familiar oregano taste (though far less pungent than it tastes in food).

If you grow oregano at home, this tea recipe will put the plant to good use. It's also an excellent excuse to add oregano to your indoor kitchen garden or pick up fresh sprigs at the market. Fresh oregano is not required, though. You can also pull that dried oregano out of your spice cupboard and brew oregano tea. It's not as brightly flavored or sweet as the fresh herb—the difference is similar to that of green and black teas—and it is a nice beverage.

"Tea recipes are simple, and this one is no exception. The 5-inch sprig of fresh oregano I used produced a wonderfully flavored tea with the recommended brewing time. You can always leave it in longer or add an extra sprig for more flavor. Do wash the oregano thoroughly." —Colleen Graham

Greek Oregano Tea Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 (5-inch) sprig fresh oregano

  • 1 to 2 cups boiling water

  • 1 teaspoons honey, preferably Greek

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Homemade Oregano Tea ingredients

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  2. Rinse the oregano to remove any dirt and debris.

    Rinse the oregano in a strainer

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  3. Place oregano in boiling water and let steep for 3 minutes.

    oregano and water in a tea pot

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  4. Remove the oregano when the flavor reaches your desired flavor.

    oregano on a plate, oregano tea in a tea pot

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

  5. Pour contents into a mug and stir in the honey until dissolved. Serve and enjoy.

    Homemade Oregano Tea poured into a cup, side of honey

    The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram

Tips

  • It is not necessary to remove the individual oregano leaves from the sprig. Leaving them on actually makes it easier to remove the oregano when it reaches your preferred taste.
  • Use a tea infuser for loose-leaf oregano.

Recipe Variations

  • Place 1 tablespoon of dried oregano in an infuser and steep in boiling water for about 4 minutes. Some mesh strainers may not hold finely ground oregano; a loose-leaf tea bag or infuser with very fine mesh will keep the oregano out of your tea.
  • Switch to your favorite sweetener. Agave nectar, simple syrup, and sugar-free sweeteners are good choices.
  • Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to give the oregano tea a livelier flavor. This is particularly helpful with dried oregano.

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