Osmanthus-Infused Jasmine Tea with Honey and Lemon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and soothing jasmine tea infused with osmanthus flowers, sweetened gently with honey and brightened by fresh lemon. This chinese-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 10 minutes brings together dried jasmine tea leaves, dried osmanthus flowers, honey for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 60 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a kettle, then let it cool slightly to about 190°F to avoid burning the tea leaves.
  2. Step 2: In a teapot, combine 2 tsp dried jasmine tea leaves and 1 tbsp dried osmanthus flowers. Pour the hot water over the tea and flowers, steeping for 4 minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Strain the tea into cups and stir in 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice while warm to balance the floral sweetness with citrus brightness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Osmanthus-Infused Jasmine Tea with Honey and Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Osmanthus-Infused Jasmine Tea with Honey and Lemon?

Refrigerate any leftover osmanthus-infused jasmine tea with honey and lemon in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Osmanthus-Infused Jasmine Tea with Honey and Lemon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Osmanthus-Infused Jasmine Tea with Honey and Lemon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Osmanthus-Infused Jasmine Tea with Honey and Lemon?

Chinese cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.