Lemon Herb Tisane with an Elderflower "Kick"--A Restorative Simple Saturday Sipper

You know those crazy weeks where you feel like you barely have a moment to breathe? Those are the kind of weeks that need to end with a drink that is delicious, calming, and restorative to the body and the spirit. Spending a few minutes outside I could smell the lemon as the breeze blew through my container herb garden on the lanai. I decided to harvest a few of my lemony herbs (lemon thyme, lemon verbena and lemon balm) and make a tisane--basically an infusion of herbs and spices that is consumed like tea but does not contain actual tea leaves.


I looked on the internet for inspiration and found a recipe for a Lemon Verbena Tisane at a site that is always full of good ideas The Kitchn by Apartment Therapy. The best idea yet--make the tisane and add a touch of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur to it. Beings as I bought a bottle a few months ago and said bottle is very large, I am always looking for ways to use it. Instead of just verbena, I used all three herbs for my version: a Lemon Herb Tisane with an Elderflower "Kick" which turned out to be the perfect Simple Saturday Sipper.

In addition to tasting great when added into all kinds of sweet and savory dishes, all three herbs have been used for centuries as medicinal cures:

Lemon Thyme: used to relieve muscle spasms, support the immune system, ease digestion, relieve asthma, ease a tight chest and relieve coughing, promotes relaxation. It is said to soothe laryngitis and gastritis and contain anti-aging properties.

Lemon Verbena: used to treat fever, congestion, asthma, ease intestinal problems, reduce stress and insomnia, and depression. It is said to aid digestion, help with metabolism and have a mild, calming effect on the nerves.

Lemon Balm: used to treat colds and flu, lower blood pressure, relieve spasms in the digestive tract, reduce depression and calm anxiety. Fresh leaves are used to soothe insect bites and heal wounds. Thought to have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Lemon Herb Tisane

adapted from Apartment Therapy: The Kitchn

To make a tisane:

Pick 1-2 handfuls leaves of a single herb or a mixture. I used lemon thyme, lemon verbena, and lemon balm lemon balm leaves. You can include the stems, too. Wash leaves gently and place them in a teapot or tea press.

Heat water to nearly boiling. (Boiling water will over-steep and cook the delicate leaves and give a grassy taste.) The water should be about the same temperature as you would use for French press coffee, or for green tea.

Let steep for 5-7 minutes before drinking, but leave the herbs in. They will make it stronger as they sit, but not unpleasantly so.

Drink as-is or for a special treat "or fancier nightcap" as The Kitchn says, add an ounce of St, Germain Elderflower Liqueur. Enjoy!

Notes/Results: Perfectly lemony and herbal with the elderflower liqueur adding a light floral taste to the mix that is very pleasing. The tisane is also good on its own but the liqueur really enhanced the flavor. Although I enjoyed it warm after dinner, I think it would also be quite delicious iced. I will definitely make this again. You could see the light yellow-green tisane better in a clear cup but sometimes a girl needs to feel special and a little dainty and needs to use the cute little teacups she bought at a little eco-friendly boutique. ;-)

Happy Saturday!