Apple Tea

Apple picking is quintessential in the fall. You can use your bounty to create delicious pies, crisps or turnovers. However, people often end up with a bunch of peels and stems from the fruit. If you find yourself in this position, turn those scraps into a cozy apple tea. This recipe brews apple discards with warm spices such as cinnamon and star anise to create the ideal hot beverage for autumn.

Apple Tea Ingredients

• Apples: To create the base of this tea, we use apple discards including the core and stem, and brew them with spices and water.
• Spices: We use cinnamon sticks, star anise and ginger root to enhance this tea with warm flavors.
• Sweetener: We recommend adding honey to this tea recipe for sweetener.
• Lemon: For a bright note, we spritz a lemon wedge in this tea. 

Directions   

Step 1: Brew the tea

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Combine the water, apple peels and cores, cinnamon stick, star anise and ginger root in a large saucepan. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the tea steep for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2: Strain the tea

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Pour the tea mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and into a teapot or mason jar. Discard the apple pieces and spices. If desired, serve with honey and lemon wedges.

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Apple Tea Variations 

• Turn it into a hot toddy: Pour a splash of whiskey into this tea recipe to turn it into a hot toddy. 
• Swap the fruit: Instead of apples, try this recipe with pears or quinces. Pretty much any pomme fruit will work.
• Add herbs: To enhance the aromatic flavor of this tea, stir in fresh mint or rosemary. 

How to Store Apple Tea

We recommend pouring this tea into an airtight jug, mason jar or juice container. It’ll last in the fridge for two to three days. You can enjoy it iced or warm it up when you want to drink it.

Can you make apple tea ahead of time? 

You can make tea if you plan on hosting a fall lunch. Follow the recipe, store it in the fridge for two to three days and then serve it iced or warm to your guests.

Can you freeze apple tea?

We don’t recommend freezing this tea because it will lose its flavor and concentration once frozen.

How long does apple tea last? 

If you have a lot of leftover tea, keep it in your fridge for two to three days. 

Apple Tea Tips

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What types of apples should I use for this recipe?

You can use any type of apple for this tea recipe, but the flavor will shift depending on the variety. For example, honeycrisps are sweet and tart, galas resemble the notes of pears and granny smiths have a citrusy taste.

What can I use to sweeten this apple tea?

While we recommend honey in this recipe, you can use all kinds of ingredients to sweeten this tea. You can pour in simple syrup, agave or maple syrup. Or you can add a few splashes of apple cider if you already have a jug in the fridge.

Can I make an iced apple tea using this recipe?

If it’s a warm fall day and you prefer to sip apple iced tea, follow the recipe. Instead of enjoying it right away, allow it to come to room temperature—about5 to 10 minutes—and then plop in a few ice cubes.