This Fig and Honey Black Tea is one of my favorite autumn drinks because it’s warm, comforting, and incredibly aromatic.
This is the ideal tea for a crisp fall day, and the aroma alone—sweet, earthy, and a hint of spice—fills the air with all the best scents of the season. The dried figs melt into the black tea, adding a beautiful depth, while the honey rounds out the flavor with a comforting warmth.
I think anyone who loves autumn flavors and aromas should give this recipe a try!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Aromatic and Inviting: The combination of figs, honey, and orange peel creates a fragrant, cozy drink that fills your home with the essence of autumn.
- Naturally Sweet: Sweetened with honey and figs, this tea offers a healthier alternative to sugary drinks while still feeling indulgent.
- Simple and Elegant: With minimal ingredients, this recipe is easy to make, yet feels special and luxurious with its unique flavor profile.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Its rich and comforting flavor makes it a great tea to serve at fall gatherings or to share with friends.
- Pairs Well with Autumn Treats: This tea’s rich, earthy flavor pairs beautifully with fall desserts like apple pie, pumpkin bread, or cinnamon scones.
- Elevates Cheese Boards: The fig and honey notes complement soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, making it a great companion for a cheese and charcuterie board.
Ingredients
When making Fig and Honey Black Tea, the quality of each ingredient plays a key role in bringing out the flavors.
Starting with black tea, it’s important to choose a robust, full-bodied tea as the base. Loose-leaf tea tends to provide a more complex flavor compared to tea bags, but both work well in this recipe. The tea’s richness forms the backbone of the drink, balancing the sweetness of the figs and honey.
Dried figs are essential for adding natural sweetness and depth. When choosing figs, go for plump, soft ones, as they will soften and release their natural sugars more easily in the tea. Figs bring an earthy, sweet flavor and are also rich in fiber and antioxidants, adding a healthy boost to your drink.
Honey acts as the sweetener and provides a comforting warmth to the tea. Opt for high-quality, raw, or local honey, which often has a richer flavor and retains more nutrients. Honey not only sweetens the tea but also complements the figs and black tea, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
The optional orange peel introduces a bright citrus note that cuts through the richness of the figs and black tea. You can use either fresh or dried orange peel, depending on what you have on hand.
Fresh peel will offer a more vibrant citrus aroma, while dried peel will give a more concentrated flavor. Lastly, garnishing with fresh fig slices or a twist of orange peel adds visual appeal, making the tea feel even more special.
Ingredients for making 2 servings of Fig and Honey Black Tea:
- 2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea)
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 dried figs, chopped
- 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried or fresh orange peel (optional)
- Fresh fig slices and orange peel (optional, for garnish)
How To Make Fig and Honey Black Tea
Instructions for making 2 servings of Fig and Honey Black Tea:
- Boil the Water: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add Tea and Figs: Once boiling, add the black tea bags (or loose-leaf tea) and the chopped dried figs. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, allowing the figs to soften and release their flavor.
- Add Orange Peel: If using, add the dried or fresh orange peel to the pot while the tea is steeping. This will infuse the tea with a subtle citrus flavor.
- Strain and Sweeten: Remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea and fig pieces. Stir in the honey, adjusting to your preferred sweetness.
- Serve and Garnish: Pour the tea into small glasses or your favorite teacups and garnish with a slice of fresh fig or a twist of orange peel if desired.
- Enjoy: Your Fig and Honey Black Tea is ready to serve!
More Tips & Variations
- Spiced Variation: Add a cinnamon stick or a few cloves while steeping the tea for a warming spiced version, perfect for cooler days.
- Iced Fig Tea: Let the tea cool and serve it over ice for a refreshing iced version. You can garnish with fresh figs and orange slices for a beautiful presentation.
- Maple Syrup Sweetener: Substitute honey with maple syrup for a deeper, earthier sweetness that complements the figs and black tea.
- Alcoholic Twist: Add a splash of bourbon or rum to turn this tea into a cozy fall cocktail, ideal for a warm nightcap or an autumn gathering.
- Smoked Orange Peel: Lightly torch or smoke the orange peel before adding it to the tea for a more complex, slightly smoky citrus note that deepens the flavor.
Fig and Honey Black Tea
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the black tea bags (or loose-leaf tea) and the chopped dried figs. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, allowing the figs to soften and release their flavor.
- If using, add the dried or fresh orange peel to the pot while the tea is steeping. This will infuse the tea with a subtle citrus flavor.
- Remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea and fig pieces. Stir in the honey, adjusting to your preferred sweetness.
- Pour the tea into small glasses or your favorite teacups and garnish with a slice of fresh fig or a twist of orange peel if desired. Enjoy!