How to Make Rose Tea Properly
on Mar 12, 2025
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Make a floral herbal tea by steeping dried rose buds in hot water. See this guide on how to make the perfect cup of rose tea.
Rose Tea
Rose tea can mean a caffeine-free tea that’s made by steeping rose petals or buds in water. Or, it can mean a caffeinated tea that’s made with black tea or green tea with rose petals or buds. I see both often called rose tea, so make sure you look to see what’s in the drink.
This rose tea is the herbal infusion that doesn’t contain anything else but rose and water. All roses are edible but look for food-grade rose buds to make sure they weren’t treated with pesticides. Roses from the flower shop should never be made into tea. The cut roses from a florist are loaded with chemicals.
Note that rosehip tea and rose tea are different. Rosehip tea is made with the fruit of the rose plant, which are found below the petals.
Note from Jee
Rose tea tastes soft, floral, smooth if made properly. I like to drink it without any sugar or milk, but you can make it however you like. Use my recipe to brew it perfectly, then customize it!
I’ll sometimes add black tea or green tea to make it caffeinated, so I included measurements in my notes below so you can prepare it that way too.
Recipe Summary
- A 7-minute recipe, this step-by-step hot rose tea is made by steeping rose petals or buds in water.
- Get expert tips on how to make a perfectly brewed cup of rose tea from a Tea Sommelier.
- Water temperature and steep time is included in the instructions.
RELATED: Rose Lemonade
Ingredient Notes
- Rose buds: I like using food-quality rose buds instead of rose petals since I find the flavor is better and more intense. Roughly chop the rose buds so that the water can make its way in between the buds to infuse and extract the flavor. Measure out the rose buds, then chop.
- Water: Water quality is a big part of what makes tea taste good. I always use filtered water.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil water. Instead of tap water, boil filtered water. Boil extra water to warm your teapot.
Step 2: Warm up the teapot. This step should always be included to brew tea properly. It’s basically the same idea as preheating an oven.
Pour some boiled water into your teapot and swirl the water around. Throw out the water.
Step 3: Put chopped dried rose buds into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep. Keep your teapot covered to keep the water nice and hot.
Step 4: Strain rose buds and pour hot tea into a teacup.
Tea Sommelier’s Tips
Cut rose buds for better steeping.
Roughly chop or cut rose buds before steeping in water. Rose buds are fairly small and tightly closed, so cutting them helps the water reach into the the petal layers.
Brew it with black or green tea.
To make rose tea with black or green tea, add a tea sachet or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose black or green tea.
Can be steeped for longer without getting bitter.
If you want a stronger cup of rose tea, add a couple of more minutes to your steep time or add another 1/2 teaspoon of chopped rose buds. Unlike black or green tea, herbals don’t get bitter when steeped for longer.
Brew in a glass teapot.
Brew herbals like rose tea in glass teapots so you can see the pretty buds and see the tea change color as it steeps.
Store it properly.
Rose tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
RELATED: Rose Bubble Tea
Related
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Rose Tea
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, + more to warm teapot
- 1 tablespoon dried rose buds, roughly chopped, or 1 tea sachet or tea bag
Instructions
- Boil water. If using an electric kettle with temperature setting, set it to 208°F. Boil a little more water than needed so that it can be used to warm up the teapot. Filtered water is best.
- Warm up teapot.Pour hot water into a teapot, halfway, and swirl it around a bit. Discard the water.Warming up the teapot is an extra step that all tea professionals take the time to do, so when the tea steeps, the water temperature won't drop drastically.
- Put cut rose buds into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain rose buds and pour hot tea into a teacup.
Notes
- To make rose tea with black or green tea, add a tea sachet or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose black or green tea.
- Roughly chop or cut rose buds before steeping in water. Rose buds are fairly small and tightly closed so cutting them helps the water reach into the the petal layers.
- If you want a stronger cup of rose tea, add a couple of more minutes to your steep time or add another 1/2 teaspoon of chopped rose buds. Unlike black or green tea, herbals don’t get bitter when steeped for longer.
- Rose tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If I dont have roses growing in my yard, and you dont use store roses, then where can I buy already cut or crushed rose pedals or buds
Hi Helen, you can use food-grade dried rose petals or buds from health food stores or online.
Hello, Jee!
Thank you for all of the great info you share! Can you recommend a few other rose tea brands besides Suncore Foods – Premium Dried Rose Buds Superbloom?
Thanks!
Hi Ms. Didi, I’ve only tried this other brand of rose buds (https://amzn.to/3eYqWfz) and I liked that one too.
How long will dried rose buds keep in an air-tight glass container? Do they ever go bad or lose their flavor?
Hi Laura, it should keep for at least 2 years.
I love rose tea! Esp before bed as it has very relaxing properties! Many herbalists recommend adding it to a blend with other herbs for better sleep!
When is the best time to drink the rose tea to benefit our body?
Hi Ada, I don’t think there is a benefit to drinking this at a certain time of the day.
Can the tea be made with any rose buds from a home garden?
Hi Ah-Mei, yes, the tea can be made from fresh rose buds but I’ve never tried making it this way so I’m not sure of the proper ratio of water to fresh rose buds.