Lavender Milk Tea Recipe

Milk Tea

1. 1

   Warm the water and infuse lavender

   Place 1.5 cups water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. As soon as it reaches a simmer, remove from direct heat and add 1 tsp culinary dried lavender buds. Cover and steep for 5 minutes to extract a subtle floral aroma (avoid steeping longer than 7 minutes to prevent a soapy taste).

2. 2

   Brew the black tea into the lavender infusion

   After the lavender has steeped 5 minutes, add 2 tsp loose-leaf black tea (or 2 tea bags) directly to the warm lavender infusion. Let the tea steep with the lavender for 3 to 4 minutes depending on desired strength (3 minutes for a lighter tea, 4 minutes for fuller body). Do not steep longer than 5 minutes or the tea will become bitter.

3. 3

   Heat the milk

   While the tea is steeping, pour 1.5 cups milk into a separate small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat until steam starts to rise and small bubbles form at the edge (just below simmer). Do not let the milk boil. Remove from heat as soon as it is hot and steamy (about 3–5 minutes).

4. 4

   Strain and combine

   Strain the lavender and tea leaves from the infusion through a fine mesh sieve or tea strainer into the warmed milk. Press gently on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract remaining liquid, but avoid forcing fine sediment through the sieve.

5. 5

   Sweeten and flavor

   Stir 2 tbs granulated sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract into the warm lavender-milk tea until completely dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness (add more sugar, 1/2 tbs at a time, if desired). If you prefer a stronger lavender note, add an extra 1/4 tsp dried lavender next time but avoid overdoing it.

6. 6

   Serve hot or iced

   To serve hot: divide the milk tea between two cups and enjoy. To serve iced: fill two glasses with ice (about 1 cup total) and pour the milk tea over the ice. Stir briefly to chill. Garnish optionally with a few dried lavender buds or a light sprinkle of ground vanilla if desired.

7. 7

   Notes on variations

   For a creamier texture, use half-and-half instead of milk (reduce steeping temperature slightly to avoid scalding). For a dairy-free option, use full-fat oat milk and follow the same warming step. If you prefer less floral flavor, reduce lavender to 1/2 tsp.