Spiced Tangerine Herbal Tea Recipe – A Citrusy, Spiced Comfort Drink

My Spiced Tangerine Herbal Tea is a refreshing blend that brings together the uplifting citrus notes of tangerine peels with the warming spices of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.

For autumn and winter, this tea is the ultimate warming blend, perfect for curling up with on chilly days. During the Christmas season, the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and tangerine fills your space with festive scents, creating a holiday atmosphere that’s both cheerful and calming.

When the weather warms up, the Spiced Tangerine Herbal Tea transitions effortlessly into a refreshing iced version. Served chilled, the citrusy tangerine flavors become crisp and invigorating, while the spices add just enough depth to make it unique.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Simple, All-Natural Ingredients: Made with whole, natural ingredients, this tea is free of additives and offers pure, vibrant flavors.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with readily available ingredients, this tea is inexpensive to prepare, making it a perfect everyday option.
• Seasonal Versatility: Perfect as a warm, cozy drink in autumn and winter and just as refreshing served iced in the summer.
• Caffeine-Free: A naturally caffeine-free option, making it great for any time of day and for people of all ages to enjoy.
• Immune-Boosting Drink: With citrus and warming spices, this tea provides a gentle health boost, ideal for cold and flu season.
• Digestive Support: The blend of cloves and star anise can aid digestion, making it a soothing option after meals.

Ingredients

Tangerine peels are the key to this tea, bringing a bright, natural citrus flavor that pairs wonderfully with the spices.

Fresh peels work well, but removing most of the white pith is essential, as it can add a bitter taste. Dried tangerine peels are also an excellent choice and can often provide a more concentrated citrus flavor.

Using organic tangerines is ideal if possible, as you’re using the peels directly in the tea.

The cinnamon stick adds warmth and depth, giving the tea a comforting aroma and a sweet, spicy undertone.

Whole cinnamon sticks are preferred over ground cinnamon, as they release their flavor gradually, creating a balanced and smooth taste throughout the tea. A high-quality cinnamon stick will be fragrant and bring out the best in the other spices.

Cloves are small but powerful, adding a slightly sweet, earthy spice to the tea. They complement the citrus from the tangerine and the warmth of the cinnamon.

Choosing whole cloves is essential, as they retain their flavor much better than ground cloves. Just a few will infuse the tea with their distinctive, aromatic character.

Star anise is an optional but delightful addition, adding a subtle licorice flavor that rounds out the tea’s profile. Its unique, floral spice brings a touch of sophistication to the blend, especially when combined with the other spices.

Whole star anise pods work best, as they release their flavor slowly and add a visual appeal to the tea.

Honey or other natural sweeteners are optional but can elevate the flavors in the tea. Honey adds a floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with citrus, while a touch of maple syrup could add a rich, caramel-like note.

Adjust the sweetness to taste, but be cautious not to overpower the natural flavors of the tangerine and spices.

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• Peels from 1-2 tangerines (fresh or dried)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3-4 whole cloves
• 1 star anise
• 3 cups water
• Honey or sweetener of choice (optional)

How To Make Spiced Tangerine Herbal Tea

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: If using fresh tangerine peels, rinse them well and remove any excess pith (the white part) to avoid bitterness. If you’re using dried peels, they’re ready to use as is.
2. Boil the Water: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
3. Add the Ingredients: Once the water is boiling, add the tangerine peels, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise to the pot.
4. Simmer the Tea: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse into the water.
5. Strain and Serve: Remove from heat, strain the tea into a cup or teapot, and discard the solids.
6. Sweeten to Taste: Add honey or your preferred sweetener if desired, and stir to combine.
7. Enjoy: Serve hot for a cozy drink, or let cool and serve over ice for a refreshing iced version. You can also garnish the tea with fresh tangerine slices, cinnamon sticks, or star anise.

Iced Tangerine Herbal Tea

The iced version of Tangerine Herbal Tea is a wonderfully refreshing drink for hot summer days.

When served chilled, the citrus notes from the tangerine peels become crisp and invigorating, offering a cooling contrast to the warmth of the spices. The subtle sweetness of the cinnamon and cloves gives it a hint of spice without overwhelming, making the tea feel light and bright rather than heavy.

Its vibrant flavors make it a perfect companion for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or just relaxing at home when you need a cooling treat that feels both rejuvenating and unique.

More Tips & Variations

• Add Black or Green Tea: Brew a black or green tea bag with the tangerine peels and spices for added depth and a gentle caffeine boost. Black tea adds a bold, robust flavor that complements the spices, while green tea brings a light, earthy note that pairs well with the bright citrus. This variation transforms the herbal tea into a refreshing yet energizing drink, perfect for a midday pick-me-up.
• Add Fresh Mint: For a cooling twist, add a few fresh mint leaves to the tea while it steeps or directly into the iced version. Mint adds a refreshing layer that pairs well with the citrus and spices.
• Ginger Infusion: Add a slice of fresh ginger to the simmering tea for a spicy kick and added depth. Ginger complements the warmth of the spices and pairs beautifully with the tangerine’s citrusy notes.
• Apple Slices: Toss in a few thin slices of apple while simmering for a naturally sweet, fruity note that complements the cinnamon and cloves.
• Cardamom Pods: Add a couple of whole cardamom pods to the pot for a warm, aromatic flavor that adds complexity and pairs well with star anise and cloves.
• Cucumber Slices for Iced Tea: Add a few slices of cucumber to the iced tea for a cooling, refreshing layer that enhances the citrusy and herbal notes.