Lemongrass is an aromatic herb used in cooking worldwide, but in our popular traditions, it is also used to make a refreshing, and comforting tisane that is a great alternative to store-bought ones. Learn how to make lemongrass tea with this step-by-step guide with video.
Why we ❤️ it
I grew up with the aroma of lemongrass tea all around me. It was my mom's favorite. While I did not appreciate it all that much as a kid, it has become one of my favorite traditional Dominican tisanes, and I love how easy it is to find the ingredients and make it at home.
And this time of the year, with the cooler temperatures, it's also very comforting and warming.
What's lemongrass?
Lemongrass or lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) – known as limoncillo or limoncillo de té [1] in the Dominican Republic – is a herb originating in Asia with a lemony aroma and taste – hence the name. It should not be confused with the fruit that Dominicans call limoncillo.
Lemongrass stalks are used in many countries as a cooking herb, and lemongrass leaves are more commonly used to make herbal teas and tisanes. Lemongrass oil is a popular essential oil in some African cultures.
Lemongrass tea is supposed to help with a variety of ailments, including flu symptom relief, and helping with an upset stomach. Here are some of the purported health benefits of lemongrass tea:
In India, C. citratus is used both as a medical herb and in perfumes. C. citratus is consumed as a tea for anxiety in Brazilian folk medicine, but a study in humans found no effect. The tea caused a recurrence of contact dermatitis in one case. In the Caribbean, the tea is also brewed and consumed to boost immunity. It is called Tanglad in the Philippines, where it is believed that it has health benefits for the liver and kidneys.
Source [2]
Dominican teas and tisanes
Aside from this té de limoncillo, you can also find here my recipes for some traditional Dominican mint, lime leaves tisane recipe, and our wonderful traditional ginger Christmas tea recipe. They all make lovely caffeine-free morning drinks and are some of the most popular traditional Dominican hot beverages.
Lemongrass tea (Dominican té de limoncillo).
Top tips
- Lemongrass tea will have a caramel color when made with star anise. Another version is made with lime leaves and green lemongrass, which produces a green tea with a very strong lemony flavor.
- You can add some mint (yerbabuena) instead of star anise, which is great for when you have the flu.
- No lime rind? Add a teaspoonful of lemon juice instead.
About this recipe
Lemongrass tea ingredients vary from home to home and person to person. I am sure that there are many versions of this tisane out there, but my mom's fresh lemongrass tea recipe had star anise, lemongrass, and – sometimes – a piece of lime rind, or small pieces of ginger root. It can be drunk without sugar, but she preferred to sweeten it with some honey.
Do you have a different way of making té de limoncillo? I'd love to read about it in the comments.
Salud!
Video
Recipe
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Lemongrass Tea [Recipe + Video] Té de Limoncillo
Ingredients
- A small bunch of lemongrass leaves, rinsed
- 4 star anise
- 4 pieces of lime rind, or 2 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons Honey , or sugar (or to taste)
Instructions
Boiling
Pour 6 cups of water into a medium saucepan or small pot.Add the lemongrass and star anise and boil over medium-low heat for 15 minutes
Serving
- Strain the liquid and discard the solids. Pour it into 4 cups, and add a piece of lime rind to each cup of lemongrass tea.Add honey or sugar to taste and serve hot.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
References
Published Dec 2, 2022, revised
