How to Make Tea Simple Syrup

Purists will tell you that an exceptional quality tea is best enjoyed as simply as possible—mindfully brewed and served plain, without additions like honey, milk, or lemon. And while the devoted tea lover in me agrees that less is more where tea appreciation is concerned, the culinary adventurer in me occasionally likes to bring the complex flavors of my favorite beverages into other recipes. Making a tea-infused simple syrup is a perfect way to do this!

Why Make a Tea Syrup?

A premium tea contains a symphony of flavors and aromas, balancing fruity, bitter, smoky, earthy, vegetal, sweet, and tangy notes for harmony in each sip. These carefully crafted flavor collections shine on their own, but I’ve found that layering them over a suitable (and tasty) backdrop can help aspects of their specialness stand out even more. 

Tea can be used to flavor foods and other beverages in a variety of ways, but a tea syrup lets you conveniently add it to culinary applications, like desserts and drinks. The consistency of syrup is ideal for drizzling over ice cream or pastry, and it also dissolves readily into cocktails, lemonades, and other beverages. Appropriately, they are also “simple” to make!

How to Make Simple Syrup with Loose Tea

The basic elements of a homemade tea syrup can be applied to any of your favorite tea varieties: combine tea, water, and sugar (and a few drops of citrus for freshness), and then stir, heat to thicken, and strain. I’ve included a basic recipe with suggested proportions below.

However, note that the amount of tea needed will vary with the type used. For example, this basic recipe using two teaspoons of organic Assam black to create the syrup used in the sangria recipe below, but when I made a Nepali Green Pearl tea syrup for a different cocktail, I found I only needed half as much tea to achieve the desired strength. So think of this recipe as a guide. Prepare to adjust the tea amount as needed to please your palate.

Basic Tea Syrup Recipe

Makes about 1 cup.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup/200 g granulated sugar
• 1 cup/240 ml water
• A few drops fresh, organic lemon juice
• 2 tsp. premium organic loose-leaf tea of your choice (adjust amount to taste)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan. 
2. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly. 
3. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer and continue to stir until all sugar is dissolved and mixture is slightly thickened and syrupy (about 3 to 6 minutes). 
4. Remove from heat and let cool fully. 
5. Strain and discard tea leaves. 
6. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Tea Syrup Cocktails

It’s hardly surprising that teas and mixed drinks play well together. After all, tea-infused spirits have become a popular fixture on store shelves and happy hour menus. Tea syrups can add complexity to classic cocktail recipes, and they can also be used to create intriguing non-alcoholic mixed drinks, like artisanal lemonades and Italian sodas.

Tea Syrup & Ice Cream

Ice cream drizzle toppings don’t have to stop at chocolate, caramel, and strawberry! The creamy richness of your favorite scoop is perfect for bringing out the subtle flavors in a DIY tea syrup. 

Here are some tips for pairing tea toppings and ice cream flavors:

• Black tea syrups pair well with vanilla bean, matcha, and berry ice-creams.
• Green tea syrups pair with vanilla bean, caramel, and nutty ice creams.
• Oolong tea syrups pair well with fruity, coffee, and coconut ice creams. 

Wondering how all that flavor gets into your tea? 

LEARN HOW BLACK TEA IS MADE 

You might also enjoy:

• Cocktails With Tea
• How to Make Sun Tea
• Top 10 Books About Tea

Blog Author:

Mitra Nite, Graphic Designer

Growing up in Persia, tea runs in Mitra's blood. But it was while living and working in the Pacific Northwest that she truly found herself immersed in the beverage and all its delicious forms, and she continues to be delighted by the international and cultural nuances that it represents. Mitra has been active as an artist and designer for most of her adult life, and is very happy to bring her passion for tea and design to Young Mountain Tea.