:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sage-tea-recipe-766393-hero-5c1d22d546e0fb000105988c.jpg)
The Spruce
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
---|---|
98 | Calories |
3g | Fat |
10g | Carbs |
9g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 3 to 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 98 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 3g | 4% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 6% |
Cholesterol 21mg | 7% |
Sodium 21mg | 1% |
Total Carbohydrate 10g | 4% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
Protein 9g | |
Calcium 88mg | 7% |
*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. |
Herbal teas are easy to buy in the grocery store, but there's so much reward in making your own tea at home, using the freshest ingredients possible—maybe even with fresh sage from your own garden?
A basic sage tea is easy to make. Simply pour about 1 cup boiling water over about 1 tablespoon of sage leaves and steep to the desired strength before straining out the leaves. However, you also can make a more refined (and surprisingly delightful) version of sage tea with the recipe below. It combines fresh sage leaves with lemon and a bit of sugar.
A naturally caffeine-free drink, sage tea can be enjoyed hot or iced anytime day or night, without causing the wakefulness that caffeinated drinks can induce. It can be a relaxing way to end your day, or a calm way to start your morning.
This recipe works well with any of the popular culinary sages including garden sage, dwarf garden sage, pineapple sage, Greek sage, golden garden sage, tricolor garden sage, window box sage, grape sage, and Spanish sage.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 ounce fresh sage leaves (roughly 45 leaves)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Steps to Make It
-
Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce -
Bring the water to a boil.
The Spruce -
Keep water at a simmer and add the sage leaves, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir well.
The Spruce -
Allow to steep for 20 to 30 minutes, or to taste, stirring occasionally. Then strain out the sage leaves and lemon zest.
The Spruce -
Serve hot or chilled with ice.
The Spruce
Does Sage Have Health Benefits?
This herb not only has a distinctive taste but also several nutritional benefits. Sage is high in vitamin K and is a good source of vitamin A, fiber, calcium, iron, folate, magnesium, and manganese. It also boasts high doses of B vitamins, vitamins C and E, and copper and thiamin. Sage is also loaded with antioxidants.
Variations
Sage pairs well with many other herbs and natural sweeteners, too.
- Try lavender for a floral note, or mint to play up the refreshing aspect of sage.
- Rosemary will accentuate the earthy pine taste of sage.
- Maple syrup will bring a sweet complexity, and honey will offer a bright sweetness along with a floral aroma.
- Fresh grated ginger will bring a little bit of heat and a zing to the tea.
- Make the tea iced instead—chill it after steeping—and infuse some fresh blackberries or blueberries instead of the raspberries in this recipe.
Tip
If at all possible, seek out herbs that are organic from reputable growers. The best herbal teas are those made with herbs that are homegrown and have not been subjected to insecticides or fertilizers.
Recipe Tags: