This Fresh Lemongrass Tea recipe is easy to make and oh-so-addictive!
I love how the lemongrass infuses the tea with its citrusy and slightly minty nuances. It’s such a unique flavor that’s both invigorating and soothing at the same time. The added sugar is just enough to provide a touch of sweetness without overpowering the herbal notes. If you add the lime wheels, they add a tangy kick that I find really complements the overall taste.
Hot or iced, a cup of lemongrass tea is my go-to for recharging on a busy or tiring day. It’s the kind of beverage that makes you smile as the steam rises from your cup or as you sip it chilled on a hot afternoon.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
In addition to water, these few ingredients make a delicious Lemongrass Tea:
- Lemongrass Stalks: The star of the show, lemongrass adds a citrusy, slightly minty, and uniquely aromatic flavor to the tea.
- Sugar: This sweetens the tea just enough to balance the herbal and citrus notes of the lemongrass.
- Lime Wheels for Garnish (Optional): These are not just for looks; adding lime wheels can introduce a tangy element that pairs beautifully with the lemongrass.
How to Make Lemongrass Tea
Step #1: Bring the water to a boil over high heat in a medium saucepan.
Step #2: Add the lemongrass and boil rapidly for 5 minutes.
Step #3: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the tea for an additional 5 minutes.
Step #4: Strain the stalks from the liquid. Stir in the sugar until dissolved.
Step #5: Serve warm, or chill in the refrigerator and pour over ice.
Lemongrass is one of my favorite Thai flavors. I keep a zipper bag of leftover lemongrass in my freezer, so I decided to pull it out and make use of the stems that are too rough for mincing (like for this yummy Vietnamese recipe).
How to Use Lemongrass
Alright, so in the picture above, you’ll see (from left to right): tough end pieces, tender root pieces, and trimmed “grocery-store-herb-section” lemongrass root.
Many people want to know how to use lemongrass. I like to buy big bunches of lemongrass at my local Asian supermarket and keep it in the freezer. I use the tender root pieces for curries, and save the tough end stalks for making this lemongrass tea recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Lemongrass has been studied for various health benefits, but more research is needed. Lemongrass tea may:
– Help with digestion such as an upset stomach
– Reduce inflammation
– Lower cholesterol levels
– Promote relaxation which can help lower stress and anxiety
Lemongrass tea is caffeine free. Unlike black tea, green tea, and other traditional teas that come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which contain caffeine, lemongrass tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the lemongrass plant.
Feel free to add more sugar or try adding honey or stevia to reach your desired sweetness level.
Certainly! Mint, basil, or even slices of ginger could add interesting layers of flavor.
Yes, you can use brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like sweetness.
Yes, adding citrus juice can enhance the tangy notes and add extra zing.
Yes, you can brew some green or black tea separately and mix it with the lemongrass infusion if you’d like.
More Delicious Beverages to Check Out
- Easy Iced Green Tea Latte
- Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea)
- Moroccan Mint Tea
- Pineapple Ginger Iced Tea
- Thai Iced Tea
- Thai Style Limeade with Lemongrass and Lime Leaves
Addictive Fresh Lemongrass Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups roughly chopped lemongrass stalks
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Lime wheels for garnish - optional
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat in a medium saucepan.
- Add the lemongrass and boil rapidly for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the tea for an additional 5 minutes.
- Strain the stalks from the liquid. Stir in the sugar until dissolved.
- Serve warm, or chill in the refrigerator and pour over ice.
VIDEO
NOTES
Nutrition

Please note that this lemongrass tea recipe can also be spelled lemon grass tea recipe.
TOO MUCH SUGAR… no wonder you are addicted to it. i used half the sugar & that was still too much. i’ll be using maybe 2 T of sugar next time.
OH, YUM!!! It is the end of October and I was in my garden harvesting my most tender items as frost is knocking at our door. I opted to harvest a few stalks of lemongrass with the intent to look for a lemongrass soap recipe. Luckily for me I found this one first. Since it’s chilly here, I made lemongrass tea and chose to enjoy it warm, with a little bit of honey from my bees. IT’S MY NEW FAVORITE THING!!! Thanks!!!
Hi Susan, so glad you love it too!