This springy-summery classic couldn’t be any easier. You boil water, steep eight Earl Grey bags and a teaspoon and a half of dried lavender buds together for 5-7 minutes, strain everything out, stir in honey while it is still warm, and chill it. Two hours in the fridge, then pour over ice. So refreshing, so delicious!
The timing is really the only thing that’s important here, so make sure you keep an eye on your watch. Past seven minutes the tea turns bitter and the lavender goes soapy. Five minutes for a lighter brew, seven for stronger. The honey dissolves best while the tea is warm, so stir it in before chilling. Cold tea will not dissolve honey properly.
How to Make Lavender Earl Grey Iced Tea
Steep with a Timer
Bring 8 cups of water to a full boil. Remove from heat. Add all 8 tea bags and the lavender buds at the same time. Start a timer. At 5 minutes, taste. At 7 minutes, pull everything out regardless. 
Remove the tea bags. Strain the lavender buds through a fine-mesh sieve. Even small buds left behind will continue steeping in the pitcher and push the tea toward bitter.
Sweeten While Warm
Stir honey into the tea while it is still hot or warm. How much is personal. Start with 2 tablespoons and taste. The tea gets slightly less sweet as it chills, so go a touch sweeter than you think you want.
Let it cool to room temperature on the counter, then transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve over plenty of ice.
Lavender Earl Grey Iced Tea
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
A refreshing twist on classic iced tea.
Subtle lavender notes elevate this summer drink.
Ingredients
- 8 tea bags Earl Grey tea bags
- 1 1/2 tsp dried lavender buds
- Honey
Instructions
- Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add the 8 Earl Grey tea bags and the dried lavender buds. Let steep for 5 to 7 minutes — no longer, or the tea will turn bitter.
- Remove the tea bags. Strain out the lavender buds through a fine-mesh sieve. Stir in honey to taste while the tea is still warm so it dissolves easily.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature, then transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours.
- Serve over ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender or a lemon wheel if desired.
Notes
- For a stronger lavender flavor, lightly bruise the buds before steeping.
- Substitute simple syrup or agave nectar for honey to adjust sweetness.
- Store brewed tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Steeping
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not steep longer than 7 minutes?
Earl Grey contains bergamot oil which turns bitter with over-extraction, and lavender becomes soapy-tasting. The 5-7 minute window gives flavour without bitterness.
Can I use loose-leaf tea?
Yes. Use about 4 tablespoons of loose-leaf Earl Grey for 8 cups of water. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve along with the lavender buds. Steeping time stays the same.
How long does this keep?
In the fridge, up to 5 days in a sealed pitcher. The flavour mellows slightly. If it tastes flat after a day or two, add a squeeze of lemon to brighten it.
Swapped chamomile for lavender since I had none on hand, and it was surprisingly calming and aromatic. My partner enjoyed it more too!
I am happy to hear that Elena!
Can I use dried lavender flowers instead of a lavender syrup, and if so, how much should I use?
Hey Mei, Yes, you can — just go lightly.
Use about 1 to 1½ teaspoons of dried culinary lavender flowers for a full batch. Add them when you steep the tea, then strain them out along with the tea leaves. Lavender can turn soapy quickly if overused, so it’s better to start on the lower end and adjust next time if you want it more pronounced.
You may also want to add a bit of extra sweetener, since the syrup in the original recipe would have contributed both flavor and sweetness.
Made this iced tea for a weekend brunch with friends, and the hint of lavender made it such a hit! So refreshing and unique!
Glad to hear Ana!
Swapped in honey instead of sugar for a floral twist—it paired beautifully with the lavender notes.
Hmm, it sounds really good!