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Nettle tea in a glass mug beside a small dish of dried nettle leaves.

Nettle Tea

A simple herbal infusion made with dried nettle leaves and freshly boiled water. Enjoy its earthy flavour plain, or add a little honey or lemon to taste.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Steeping time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 1 mug
Course: Drinks
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp Dried stinging nettle leaves loosely filled
  • 250 ml Freshly boiled drinking water
  • Honey optional, to taste
  • Lemon juice or a lemon slice optional, to taste

Equipment

  • Kettle
  • Measuring jug
  • Teaspoon
  • Heatproof mug at least 300 ml
  • Tea infuser or fine tea strainer
  • Lid or small saucer to cover the mug

Method
 

  1. Put the dried nettle leaves in a roomy tea infuser or directly into a heatproof mug.
  2. Bring fresh drinking water to a full boil. Pour 250 ml over the leaves, making sure they are submerged.
  3. Cover with a lid or small saucer and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. If using a packaged herbal tea, follow its brewing instructions if they require a longer infusion.
  4. Remove the infuser or strain the tea through a fine tea strainer into another heatproof mug.
  5. Add a little honey if you would like sweetness, or lemon for a brighter flavour. Allow to cool to a comfortable drinking temperature before serving.

Notes

Dried leaves: Use clean, thoroughly dried nettle leaves suitable for food use. Discard any dried herbs showing mould, dampness or an unusual musty smell.
Brewing: Use freshly boiling water rather than merely warm water. Cover the mug while the leaves infuse. This recipe is intended as a hot infusion, not a cold brew.
Flavour: Two level teaspoons make a useful starting point. Leaf size and how finely the nettles are crumbled affect the strength. For a milder next cup, use a little less leaf while keeping the full brewing time.
Caffeine: Pure nettle leaf tea is naturally caffeine-free. Blends containing black or green tea may contain caffeine.
Storage: Best brewed fresh. If keeping some for later, strain, cool promptly and refrigerate within two hours. Use within 24 hours as a conservative household precaution.
Suitability: Avoid nettle if you are allergic to it. If you have been advised to restrict fluids because of a heart or kidney condition, check with your clinician before using nettle tea. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if planning regular use alongside prescribed medicines, ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about suitability.
Honey: Do not give honey to children under 12 months.