Our cup is packed full with reasons to love rooibos tea. It is a smooth, herbal infusion with a slightly nutty flavor that is also low in tannins. This makes for a slightly sweeter taste. When combined with a few other award-winning flavors, you get a recipe that will even further your obsession with this red-leaf drink.
Introduction to Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea (also known as red tea or red bush tea) is a South African herbal tea made from the rooibos plant. When harvested and dried, the leaves end up having a distinctly red flavor, hence the name.
Does rooibos tea have caffeine? Unlike black tea or green tea, rooibos tea does not contain caffeine. However, rooibos tea benefits are just as plentiful as those with any tea.
If you want to try rooibos tea as is, steep the tea leaves or tea bag in hot water for five to seven minutes. However, there are other ways to savor this unconventional brew. Consider this blog a beloved recipe book that you can pull down from a dusty shelf whenever you require culinary inspiration. For now, a look at the table of contents:
- DIY rooibos lattes
- Rooibos limeade
- Peach rooibos iced tea
- Orange rooibos sour
- Apple cider rooibos toddy
What is the best way to drink rooibos tea? Anytime, anywhere and by following along with these tasty concoctions.
DIY Rooibos Lattes
If you are anything like us, you like lattes—a latte. Who can blame you? They are incredibly versatile, equally as delectable when served hot or iced, and packed with endless possibilities when it comes to flavor combinations. Plus, when you make a latte with rooibos tea, they are caffeine-free. So you can drink them at any time of the day or night (and as many as you want) without having to worry about caffeine jitters or even a sleepless night later on.
Sweet rooibos tea is an ideal base upon which to build your very own homemade latte. If you are not quite sure what flavors to use, try these simple recipes for size.
Vanilla Rose Rooibos Latte
If you are looking for something sweet and slightly floral, this vanilla rose rooibos latte is the one for you. Here is how to craft it to perfection:
- Start by steeping your rooibos tea along with about a tablespoon of dried, edible rosebuds. How long does it take to steep rooibos tea for this recipe? About five to seven minutes to bring out the optimum flavor. Keep things simple with unflavored rooibos, or indulge in a special treat by using Good Hope Vanilla Red Full-Leaf Tea instead.
- While your tea is steeping, prepare the frothy goodness by heating one-quarter of a cup of heavy cream over low to medium heat on the stove. Warm it just slightly and use a whisk to stir vigorously or a milk frother to achieve your desired level of froth. Remove from heat.
- Remove the tea bag or the whole-leaf tea from your mug and combine it with the frother cream, a dash of vanilla extract, and the sweetener of your choice.
- Sip, enjoy, repeat.
Coconut Butter Rooibos Latte
If you are eager to put cozy in a cup, you will not want to miss out on this coconut butter rooibos latte. It is perfect for sipping on while curled up with a book or even to take with you on the go. Whatever your preference, here is what you will need to bring this latte to life:
- Start by steeping your rooibos tea. In this case, Almond Coconut Macaroon Red Tea would be the ideal way to bring out a bit more nutty goodness. Once steeped, remove the tea bags and set them aside.
- Meanwhile, heat your milk of choice, one tablespoon of coconut butter, and a sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar.
- Once it simmers, add the steeped rooibos tea to the mixture, remove the tea bags from the heat and add all of the ingredients to a small blender. Blend on high until thoroughly combined, and you begin to notice a more frothy consistency.
- Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!
Rooibos Limeade
When the days are long, and the summer humidity seems unrelenting, there is nothing like an icy beverage to give you some relief and help you refuel before your next adventure. If you are into sour sippers, try making homemade limeade but adding rooibos to it for a bit of added goodness. Here is what you will need:
- Rooibos tea of your choice. If you really want something bursting with unique flavor, try using Ginger Peach Red Full-Leaf Tea. Again, you will want to steep the tea between five and seven minutes, remove the tea from the hot water and store the tea in the refrigerator to chill.
- Meanwhile, you can prepare the limeade itself. For this, you will need a couple of slices of ginger, one half of a lime, a dash of sugar or sweetener of your choice, and a sprig of thyme. Muddle the ingredients together to release all of their flavors and juices.
- Strain the essential liquids from the muddled mixture into a glass with ice. Top it all off with the chilled rooibos tea, stir to combine, and finish it off with a lime wedge garnish.
Peach Rooibos Iced Tea
Aside from drinking it warm, you can also enjoy iced rooibos tea. Another sweet, refreshing recipe that is perfect for summer or anytime you have a craving for a cool beverage is peach rooibos iced tea. Make a glass just for you or a large, shareable batch that is an easy but unique crowd-pleaser for any event. For single-serve summer in a glass, follow along:
- Ginger Peach Red Full-Leaf Tea would be another great choice to use in this recipe. Steep the tea, remove the tea leaves, and place them in the refrigerator to cool.
- Meanwhile, make your own peach juice using one medium-sized peach (pit removed). Add the pitted peach to a juicer to extract all of the liquid. Combine the peach juice with the chilled rooibos and pour the mixture over a glass filled with ice. If you would like a touch of sweetness, add a sweetener of your choice and serve with a lemon wedge garnish.
Orange Rooibos Sour
For these next recipes, we are taking tea to the next level by turning it into irresistibly good cocktails and turning you into a mixologist-in-the-making. The next time you have your friends over for dinner and a movie, impress them with this one-of-a-kind libation that is bursting with flavor. For this orange rooibos sour, you will need:
- Tap into the flavors of Cinnamon Orange Red Full Leaf tea for this recipe. Steep the tea as you usually would, remove the tea leaves and store it in the refrigerator to cool while preparing the rest.
- In a shaker, combine orange-flavored vodka, a squeeze of lemon, one egg white, and ice. Shake until well mixed and strain into a martini glass.
- Top off the citrusy mixture with chilled rooibos tea, stir and serve it straight up or on the rocks.
Apple Cider Toddy with Rooibos
When crisp fall days are upon you, there is nothing quite like a hot toddy to give your fingers, toes, and tummy the warmth they need. This particular recipe, however, is a slight twist on the classic and will combine apple cider and rooibos tea for a toddy that tastes even better than it sounds. To prepare it to perfection, here is what you will need to do:
- Combine two parts apple juice with one part water, a squeeze or two of lemon, a cinnamon stick, a couple of slices of fresh ginger, a pinch of ground ginger, and a dash each of salt and pepper.
- Put all ingredients into a pot, stir to combine, and place over medium heat on your stove. Once you have brought everything to a slight boil, remove it from the heat and add the rooibos tea. In this case, we recommend using Caramel Apple Red Tea Bags.
- Let the tea steep for about five to seven minutes, remove it from the pot and add in about one ounce of bourbon. Stir, sample, and sweeten, if needed, by adding a bit of honey or maple syrup.
Drink Rooibos Tea Your Way With The Republic of Tea
Whether you are mixing it into a foam-covered latte, using it to spice up a classic cocktail, or serving it chilled on a warm summer day, rooibos tea can be used to enhance just about any beverage. Whenever you need to stock your tea cupboards to prepare for an afternoon of new recipes and taste-testing, find a colorful—and flavorful—assortment of premium teas at The Republic of Tea.
Combine one heaping cup of enthusiasm for tea, a generous helping of social and environmental responsibility, and a dash of award-winning, sustainable packaging, and you have unlocked the secret recipe for The Republic of Tea.
