Light, crisp, ice cold, sweet, and thirst quenching. Fresh mint meadow tea is always the perfect beverage to serve up on a hot summer day.

A glass of mint tea stands in the foreground with a pitcher full of ice cold fresh mint meadow tea in the background.

The flavor of this tea unlocks so many fond memories for me. And, perhaps it does the same for you, as well! As a kid, this was my favorite beverage. There's nothing quite like attending an event such as a family gathering or school picnic, playing hard, coming in all sweaty and thirsty, and guzzling down glass after glass of this ice cold mint tea.

Why is This Called "Meadow" Tea?

You may have noticed that I refer to this tea as fresh mint "meadow" tea. That's because, growing up, we always just referred to this as meadow tea. Why? Because mint tea grew wild in the lush, green pastured farmland of Pennsylvania, where I grew up, and still does in many places.

In fact, there was a farm a short distance from our home owned by family friends that has one such pasture. With the owner's permission, my mom would equip each of us kids each with a plastic grocery bag and a scissors and send us on a little summers day adventure to collect fresh tea. We'd start out following little trails we had made through the woods beside our home, crossing over a small, babbling creek, and plodding through a couple of fields before reaching the meadow. Carefully, we'd search for the best patches of tea, cutting the stems, and filling our bags before returning home to excitedly tell our mother all about our glorious, little adventure. It made the best childhood memories!

Where to Get Fresh Mint

Now, instead of relying on wild grown meadow mint, my mother has a thriving patch of mint that grows right in her flower bed. I, however, have been unsuccessful at growing mint, here at our desert abode. I haven't completely given up all hope and will attempt it a few more times. In the meantime, I have been delighted to be able to buy fresh mint at one of the Mexican grocery stores near my house! Thanks to this, I still can drink my fresh mint meadow tea while creating summer memories with my own children. So, if you don't have access to a mint tea patch, check nearby ethnic grocery stores to try scoring some.

If you are fortunate enough to have at mint tea patch of your own or know someone who is willing to share theirs with you, you can enjoy this refreshing treat all year long. Just make a large stock pot of fresh mint tea concentrate and skip pouring it over ice. Instead, fill 2-4 cup freezer containers with mint concentrate, secure the lids, and put them in your freezer to pull out to enjoy later!

A glass pitcher full of ice cold fresh mint meadow tea with mint leaves beside it.

Ingredients

2 c. Fresh Mint Tea Leaves and Stems

3-4 c. Water

1 c. Sugar (Or equivalent sweetener of choice. I've used agave as well as Swerve sweetener successfully in this, too.)

½ - ⅓ Gallon of Ice

Directions: How to Make Fresh Mint Meadow Tea

To begin, trim off any undesirable leaves, seed heads, or hard, woody, dried-out stems.

Place the mint in a strainer and rinse with cool water.

A Callander containing colorful fresh, mint leaves and stems that have been freshly washed.

Next, transfer the mint to a medium 1–2-quart saucepan and add 3-4 c. water. Gently, press the leaves into the water to submerge them as much as possible.

Place the saucepan on stovetop. Cover and begin to heat on medium - high heat.

When the water has come to a full boil, turn off the burner and remove the saucepan from heat. Allow to cool, covered, for an hour.

A saucepan with hot tea concentrate that is cooling.

Next, using a slotted spoon, scoop out the processed mint leaves and stems.

Add 1 c. Sugar or equivalent sweetener of your choice to the pot and stir until fully dissolved.

Now, if there are a lot of small particles floating around that are left over from the leaves and stems, pour the liquid through a mesh strainer. However, if it looks good to you, just move on to the next step.

A saucepan containing concentrated tea with the leaves and stems removed.

Fill a 1-gallon pitcher ½ - ⅔ full of ice. Pour the fresh mint meadow tea over the ice and stir. This will rapidly cool the tea.

Last of all, fill the gallon pitcher the rest of the way with cold water and give the tea a final stir.

Now, pour yourself a tall glass, find yourself a cozy spot on your porch swing, and sip slowly. Or take that pitcher to the back patio and share along side some burgers and watermelon with friends and family! How ever you drink this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Serving Suggestions

Iced Mint Meadow Tea: Once the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea has been prepared, serve it over ice for a refreshing and cooling drink, perfect for hot summer days. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint for an extra touch of elegance. Add some fresh berries or cucumber slices for a visually appealing and hydrating beverage.
Mint Iced Tea Lemonade: For a delightful twist, mix the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a touch of honey or your preferred sweetener. Serve over ice with lemon slices for a delicious Mint Iced Tea Lemonade.
Minty Mojito Mocktail: Turn the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea into a non-alcoholic mojito mocktail by adding a splash of lime juice and some muddled fresh mint leaves. Top it off with soda water or sparkling water and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
Mint Tea Popsicles: Pour the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea into popsicle molds and freeze to make refreshing mint tea popsicles. A perfect treat for both kids and adults during the hot summer months.
Mint Tea Sorbet: Use the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea as a base for a delightful mint tea sorbet. Churn the tea in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions and enjoy a refreshing and light dessert.

Feel free to get creative with these serving suggestions and enjoy the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea in various ways to suit your taste and occasion. Cheers to a minty-fresh and delightful experience!

Storage and Freezing Tips

Refrigeration: After serving the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea, refrigerate the tea to maintain its freshness and flavor. It can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week.
Freezing: To freeze, follow the directions for boiling and steeping the tea. Once the tea leaves and stems have been removed, allow the mixture to cool to about room temperature. Then, carefully pour the tea concentrate into a quart size, freezer safe container. This can be stored in the freezer for at least 6-9 months and still taste as fresh as a summer day in a glass. When you are ready to use, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 30 minutes or so. Turn the container upside down and let it fall into a 1-gallon pitcher. Fill with water and wait until the concentrate has mostly melted before serving.

By following these storage and freezing tips, you can enjoy the delightful taste of Fresh Mint Meadow Tea long after it has been prepared, making it a versatile and convenient drink for any occasion.