How do you make meadow tea?

Yes, making meadow tea is simple and deeply rewarding. A classic Amish meadow tea recipe starts by steeping fresh spearmint leaves in boiling water, straining, sweetening, and then chilling it. The key is to use fresh spearmint , not dried mint or tea bags, for full flavor and aroma.

What is meadow tea good for?

Meadow tea is good for digestion, cooling the body, and soothing mild stress. In traditional Amish homes, meadow tea is served daily during the summer for its natural calm and refreshing taste. The spearmint used in the Amish meadow tea recipe contains antioxidants and mild antispasmodic properties that support stomach health.

What plant is used to make meadow tea?

Fresh spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the plant traditionally used in any authentic Amish meadow tea recipe . Spearmint grows abundantly in rural gardens and is clipped just before steeping to capture its vibrant oils and flavor. Other mints like peppermint are considered too harsh for this style of tea.

Is meadow tea the same as mint tea?

No, it depends on the preparation. While both use mint, mint tea often refers to commercial, dried, or blended teas. An Amish meadow tea recipe is unique—it uses only fresh spearmint , slow steeping, and cold serving. It's richer, rounder, and more rooted in tradition than store-bought mint teas.

Can you dry mint for Amish meadow tea?

Technically yes, but traditional Amish meadow tea recipes call for fresh mint . Dried mint loses some of its oils and doesn’t yield the same smooth, bright flavor. If fresh isn’t available, you can substitute with high-quality dried spearmint—just adjust the quantity and expect a milder tea.

Amish Meadow Tea Recipe + Refreshing Twist (5 Easy Steps)

Name: Amish Meadow Tea Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Amish
Ingredients: 3 cups fresh spearmint leaves (packed); 8 cups water; ½–¾ cup sugar (or monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose); 6 cups cold water; Ice to serve; Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

Description

Amish Meadow Tea is a bold, aromatic mint-infused iced tea made from fresh spearmint leaves, a refreshing summertime staple in Pennsylvania Dutch kitchens.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups fresh spearmint leaves (packed)
8 cups water
½–¾ cup sugar (or monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose)
6 cups cold water
Ice to serve
Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Pick and rinse 3 cups of fresh spearmint leaves.
Boil 8 cups of water in a large pot.
Remove from heat, add spearmint, crush gently, cover and steep for 30 minutes.
Strain into a gallon pitcher.
Add sweetener while tea is warm and stir until dissolved.
Pour in 6 cups of cold water.
Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Serve over ice with lemon slices if desired.

Notes

For a low-glycemic version, substitute sugar with monk fruit, stevia, erythritol, or allulose. Avoid honey or maple syrup if you’re managing blood sugar levels.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Drinks
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Amish

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 15
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 0mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: mint tea, iced tea, Amish, summer drink, herbal tea