Chamomile Lavender Iced Tea

Refreshing chamomile lavender iced tea featuring a lightly-sweetened homemade lavender simple syrup. The perfect summer drink to enjoy anytime of day!

After making a blackberry lavender cake recently, I figured I needed to find other ways to use my lavender buds. Upon first thought, I made a note to grab some chamomile tea bags at the store and later on this delicious iced tea was born!

Naturally caffeine-free, I recommend enjoying this refreshing drink sitting outside with lunch or while working throughout the afternoon.

Life is that much more exciting when you have a tasty, good-for-you drink to look forward to!

All you need to make this quick & easy tea are 3 simple ingredients (+ water!) and a bit of patience to let it all cool.

Let’s talk chamomile + lavender:

Chamomile is an herb used primarily as a natural relaxation and/or digestive aid. This tea would also be wonderful served hot for a calming evening beverage!

Similarly, lavender is known for its relaxing properties. It can be used to naturally help with insomnia, stress, and anxiety. I like to rub a little lavender essential oil on my wrists when I am feeling particularly stressed.

I’d call this the perfect drink to sip on while destressing throughout the summer. Even better, enjoy it out in the sunshine with a good book!

Other recipes involving chamomile + lavender that look interesting include chamomile lavender tea cake, popsicles,  or this lavender blueberry chamomile tea latte.

Ways to consider relaxing with your chamomile lavender iced tea: 

We all know STRESS is at the root of so many of our chronic health struggles. When stressed, it can be easy to keep going at a million miles an hour, feeling like there isn’t time to pause and do something for fun or to relax. All the more indication that time to rest is truly needed! Consider even scheduling time to rest throughout the day and week if this is a challenge for you. I know I find this helpful!

Some of my favorite ways to relax include:

• Reading a book outside, or inside with some classical music playing
• Listening to my husband play piano
• Watching a quality show (we are currently enjoying All Creatures Great and Small)
• Enjoying a nice view or sunset/sunrise
• Walking or hiking outside
• Looking at nature videos on YouTube
• Baking for fun
• Journaling (thoughts/feelings, highs/lows of the day or month)
• Laying down in bed (I don’t really ever fall asleep, but still nice to physically rest)

Other tips for relaxing include:

• Setting your phone in a different room and keeping notifications OFF
• Considering what you enjoyed doing for fun as a kid
• Scheduling downtime!!

Chamomile Lavender Iced Tea:

Preparation Time: 10 minutes (plus time to cool)
Yields: 7-8 cups

Ingredients:
For brewing chamomile tea:
4-5 chamomile tea bags
4 cups water
For lavender simple syrup:
1 tsp dried culinary lavender
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp raw sugar (or sub maple syrup, honey, agave)
For diluting:
Additional 3-4 cups water, to taste

Directions:

1. First, brew the chamomile tea. Boil water and then pour over tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags and pour tea into a glass pitcher to cool.
3. Next, make the lavender simple syrup. In a small pot, combine water, lavender buds, and sweetener of choice. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to let cool.
4. Once syrup is cool, use a fine mesh strainer to strain lavender buds. Add syrup (free of lavender buds) to the prepared chamomile tea.
5. Add about 3 cups of water and mix to combine. Add an extra cup of water or more sweetener if preferred.
6. When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and enjoy! Keep leftover iced tea refrigerated for up to one week.

Notes:

• I used organic chamomile tea from Trader Joe’s.
• Consider adding some fresh fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries) to your tea for an additional treat!

Looking for more tasty drink ideas for the long summer days? My other favorites without the buzz:

–> Iced chocolate tea with plenty of almond milk
–> Decaf espresso + almond milk + ice + lavender simple syrup
–> Carbonated water + ice + splash of orange juice/pomegranate juice

Have a fabulous week, everyone!