Rosemary Tea: Recipe, Flavor and Safety

Rosemary tea is water infused with rosemary; this chilled recipe takes 2 hours 5 minutes and makes about 1 liter (4¼ cups).

What is rosemary tea?

Rosemary tea is an herbal infusion made by steeping rosemary in water and removing the herb before drinking. It can be made with hot water, but this recipe uses a covered container in the refrigerator for a chilled infusion.

The flavor is fragrant and savory, with pine-like notes. Like other herbal detox tea recipes, rosemary tea can make water more appealing, but its name does not mean it removes toxins from the body.

Choose fresh culinary rosemary with green, fragrant leaves. Avoid sprigs that are moldy or slimy, and rinse them under running water just before use. Do not wash the herb with soap or detergent.

How do you make rosemary tea?

This recipe uses a small amount of fresh rosemary for a gently flavored drink. Allow time for the water to infuse in the refrigerator before serving.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Refrigerated steep: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Yield: About 1 liter (4¼ cups)

Ingredients

• 1,000 ml drinking water (about 4¼ US cups)
• 5 g fresh rosemary (about 2 sprigs, or approximately ¼ cup loosely packed; sprig sizes vary)

Steps

1. Rinse the rosemary under running drinking water.
2. Place the rosemary and water in a clean pitcher or jar.
3. Cover the container and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger flavor, steep for up to 4 hours.
4. Strain out the rosemary and pour the tea into clean glasses.

For another personalized infusion idea, try the ai detox recipe generator.

Adjusting the flavor

If the rosemary flavor is stronger than you like, dilute the finished tea with drinking water. For a more pronounced flavor, use the longer refrigerated steep rather than leaving the pitcher on the counter.

Sprig sizes vary, so the weight is more reliable than the cup measure. You can serve rosemary tea over ice, although melting ice will dilute its flavor.

Storing rosemary tea

Keep rosemary tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard leftovers after 2 days, or sooner if the tea becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

Water remains the main ingredient after the rosemary is strained out. Nutrient figures for whole rosemary do not show how much of each nutrient passes into the tea, so they should not be counted as the drink’s nutrient content.

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What does rosemary tea do for detox?

Rosemary tea contributes to hydration, but it has not been shown to speed up detoxification. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste.

Rosemary contains plant compounds, but findings about concentrated ingredients or extracts do not establish an effect from the finished tea. Read more about rosemary tea benefits.

How much rosemary tea should you drink, and when?

A cup, about 240 ml, is a practical serving rather than a medically recommended dose. Drink it at a time that suits you, such as with a meal or between meals, and keep the rest refrigerated.

There is no established amount you need to drink. Choose a serving that you enjoy; plain water also supports hydration.

What are the side effects of rosemary tea?

Avoid rosemary tea if you are allergic to rosemary, and stop drinking it if it causes a reaction. Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take a blood thinner, or are considering medicinal amounts for a child, ask a clinician before using rosemary tea regularly or using concentrated rosemary products. See rosemary tea side effects for more detail.

Rosemary tea FAQs

Can you sweeten rosemary tea?

Yes. Add a sweetener to taste if you prefer, bearing in mind that it changes the drink’s flavor and nutritional content. Taste the unsweetened infusion first to see whether you want any.

Can you serve this rosemary tea warm?

Yes. After straining, gently warm the portion you plan to drink. Keep the remaining tea refrigerated rather than leaving it out to warm up.