How to Make Sage Tea with Fresh or Dried Sage

Brew soothing Sage Tea at home with this easy-to-follow recipe!

With fresh or dried sage leaves, you can prepare a cup of this comforting herbal tea in just a few minutes. Perfect for any time of the day!

Sage is one of those pleasantly earthy, slightly peppery herbs I often use in the kitchen for many dishes, from classic roast chicken to savory holiday stuffing and hearty soups.

However, my favorite way to use this versatile herb is for steeping and sipping!

That’s right – this humble herb has what it takes to create a soothing, aromatic tea-drinking experience!

Sage tea is straightforward to prepare and personalize with fun flavors like honey, lemon, or even a hint of mint, making it an excellent warm cup of comfort with a host of benefits to wind down with.

This tea is more than just a delicious drink – it’s a natural remedy! Check out this article to read more about sage tea’s potential benefits and uses. Happy brewing!

Ingredient Notes

Making sage tea at home only requires two key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

Boiling water: Use filtered or spring water to avoid any flavor impurities. Tap water can sometimes contain minerals or chemicals that can affect the taste of your tea.

Fresh or dried sage:

• Fresh sage – Use 1 sprig of fresh sage with 6 to 8 leaves for a slightly sweeter and more vibrant flavor. Gently bruise the leaves with your fingers or a wooden spoon before steeping to release the essential oils.
• Dried sage – Use 5-6 dried sage leaves or 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf dried sage tea for a deeper, more robust flavor. Make sure it’s fresh, as old, stale sage will result in a flat, less flavorful tea. Remember, ground sage from the grocery store’s spice section is meant for seasoning food and is NOT suitable for tea. Instead, look in the tea section of health food stores or online – and opt for organic when possible for the best quality and flavor.

How to Make Sage Tea

Whether you’re using fresh leaves or dried herbs, making sage tea at home is a simple task. Here’s how to do it:

Sage tea with fresh herbs

1. Boil: Bring the water to a rolling boil.
2. Steep: Place fresh sage into a cup and pour the hot water over it. Cover the cup and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, chop the fresh sage and put it into a ball infuser. Chopping releases more flavor, so you may need less sage.
3. Enjoy: Remove the sprig or infuser. Feel free to add a slice of lemon and a drizzle of honey –and enjoy!

Sage tea with dried herbs

1. Boil: Start by bringing the water to a boil.
2. Infuse: If you’re using whole dry leaves, place them directly into your cup. For loose-leaf sage tea, add the leaves to a ball infuser, then put the infuser into your cup. Pour the hot water over the herbs, cover, and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Enjoy: Remove the leaves or the infuser, add a slice of lemon and some honey if desired –and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

To help guarantee the most delightful cup of sage herbal tea every time, here are my expert tips:

• Perfect water temperature – You don’t want to scorch the herbs, so aim for a water temperature just below boiling (around 200°F).
• Avoid boiling the sage – Don’t steep fresh or dried sage leaves directly in boiling water, as this can make the tea bitter. Instead, always pour hot water over the sage in a cup.
• Cover while steeping – Don’t forget to cover your cup while the herbs are steeping. This traps the flavorful essential oils the sage releases in the water, resulting in a richer flavor.
• Adjust steeping time to taste – For a milder flavor, steeping the herbs for 3 to 5 minutes should suffice. Let the sage steep for up to 10 minutes if you prefer a stronger tea.

Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basics of how to make sage tea, the customization possibilities are endless!

These variations will enhance the sage’s earthy notes without overpowering them:

• Sweetener – If you like your tea sweetened, add natural sweeteners such as honey, stevia, or maple syrup to taste.
• Citrus fruits – For a refreshing zing, steep the sage with a slice of lemon, lime, or orange and strain the pulp before serving, or squeeze the fresh juice directly into your cup.
• Other fruits & berries – You can steep fresh or dried fruits like pineapple, apple slices, or berries with the tea and then strain them before serving. OR, allow the hot tea to cool, add your fruit, and allow it to infuse in the fridge before serving over ice.
• Spices – Add depth and warmth to your cup with warming spices like cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, or a pinch of nutmeg.
• Herbal tea blend – Mix sage with other herbs like mint, rosemary, or thyme for a soothing herbal blend. Add a few dried rose petals, hibiscus flowers, or lavender buds for a hint of sweet floral flavor. Blend your sage tea with green or black tea for a caffeine boost!
• Milk and cream – Add a splash of milk, heavy cream, almond milk, or your preferred plant-based milk alternative for a rich and creamy version, perfect for cozy evenings!

Storing

Storing: If you have leftover sage tea, allow it to cool to room temperature, then pour it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 2 or 3, and enjoy it over ice for a refreshing iced sage tea.

Freezing: Let the tea cool to room temperature before freezing it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the tea cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container and keep them frozen to drop into glasses of water for quick, refreshing beverages!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few commonly asked questions about how to make sage tea:

What is the best way to store fresh sage leaves?

Wrap fresh sage leaves in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or container in the fridge to maintain the freshness for up to a week.

What is the best way to store dried sage leaves?

Store dried sage in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain its flavor and potency for up to a year.

Can I use ground sage to make sage tea?

No, the ground sage sold in the grocery store’s spice section is meant for cooking and seasoning, NOT for making tea. It’s best to use fresh sage leaves or dried loose-leaf sage tea.

More Herbal Teas and Infusions

If you love this sage tea recipe, you’ll also love:

• Thyme Tea
• Ginger Tea with Mint
• Rooibos Chai Tea
• Cucumber Lemon Mint Water
• Blueberry Water

Continue to Content

How to Make Sage Tea

Yield: 1 serving

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Learn how to make this soothing and aromatic herbal tea using fresh or dried sage.

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup boiling water

For the Tea with Fresh Sage

• 1 sprig of fresh sage with 6 to 8 leaves

For the Tea with Dried Sage

• 5-6 dried sage leaves with stems or 1 tsp of loose-leaf tea

Instructions

Sage Tea with Fresh Herbs

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Place the sage sprig into a cup and pour hot water over it. Cover and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can chop the fresh sage and put it into a ball infuser. You might need less fresh sage if you chop it because it will release more flavor.
3. Remove the sprig and enjoy. You can add a slice of lemon and some honey if desired.

Sage Tea with Dried Herbs

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. If using whole dried leaves, place them into a cup. If using loose-leaf sage tea, add it to a ball infuser. Place the infuser into a tea cup and pour hot water over it. Cover and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Remove the leaves or the infuser and enjoy. Add a slice of lemon and some honey if desired.

Nutrition Information

Yield 1 Serving Size full recipe
Amount Per Serving Calories 1Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 14mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g

Nutrition facts provided on this website are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a qualified health care provider for personalized diet advice and make sure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.

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