There’s this small local shop near the school I went to back home, run by the sweetest elderly lady, who sells the most refreshing homemade honey chrysanthemum ice tea. It was the perfect refresher in the brutally humid summer heat and everyone in the school adored it. So this Honey Chrysanthemum Ice Tea recipe has quite a nostalgic sentiment.
If you are unfamiliar with Chrysanthemum Tea, it is a very popular flower-infusion Chinese tea and is believed to have numerous health benefits. In Chinese culture, you often order a pot of tea to start and Chrysanthemum Tea is my family’s go-to order. Honey Chrysanthemum Tea, especially the internationally renowned Vita brand, is a very popular drink and is most typically sold in either bottles or cartons at supermarkets or convenience stores across east Asia.
Making Honey Chrysanthemum Ice Tea at home is super easy. It’s literally just tea, honey, and ice. You can, of course, enjoy this hot and it would be quicker to make as you don’t need any cooling time. When enjoying it hot, it’s very calming and soothing, whereas, in the form of iced tea, it’s got an additional refreshing touch.
How to make Honey Chrysanthemum Ice Tea
Ingredients
- Dried Small Wild Chrysanthemum – they come in the form of tiny flowers buds
- Water
- Honey
- Ice
Recipe Notes
- I’d highly recommend using a tea strainer when making the Chrysanthemum tea as the petals tend to fall out during the brewing process and get in the way when drinking.
- There are a few types of Chrysanthemum teas available. We recommend going for the ones in tiny yellow flower buds as they are more fragrant and naturally a little sweeter. But don’t worry if you can’t find them and other types of Chrysanthemum teas will still work fine.
- Depending on your preferred sweetness, feel free to adjust the amount of honey added!
Honey Chrysanthemum Ice Tea
Ingredients
- 2-3 tbsp Honey
- 4-5 buds Dried Chrysanthemum Flowers
- 1 cup Boiling Water
- Ice
Instructions
- Place Chrysanthemum into a tea strainer and add boiling water. Steep for 3-5 minutes until the tea has turned into a distinct bright yellow colour.4-5 buds Dried Chrysanthemum Flowers, 1 cup Boiling Water
- Ideally, allow the tea to cool down a bit.
- Add ice and drizzle honey into the glass.2-3 tbsp Honey, Ice
- Pour the Chrysanthemum tea over the honey and ice. Stir until combined and serve cold.
Notes
- Prep time does not include cooling time.
- We recommend going for the ones in tiny yellow Chrysanthemum flower buds as they are more fragrant and naturally a little sweeter. But don’t worry if you can’t find them and other types of Chrysanthemum teas will still work fine.