Three Ingredient Teas for Hot Tea Month

I pulled together these easy-to-craft recipes for tea which feature only three ingredients.  They can be crafted with equal amounts of each ingredient, but I like a more proportional recipe based on actual ingredients and its potency.  For example:

Here’s a simple, reliable blending framework:

• Leafy herbs: largest proportion
• Flowers: moderate (they carry aroma fast)
• Roots & barks: small amounts
• Seeds & spices: smallest amounts

A classic herbal tea ratio:

• 3–5 parts leafy herbs
• 1–2 parts flowers
• 1/2 –1 part roots or seeds
• 1/4 to 1/2 part spices

So enjoy these recipes to make your winter more enjoyable.  Start with a part that is 1 teaspoon, then if you like the blend use a Tablespoon as the part, to have enough for more than one cup of tea.  The general rule with herb teas is 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 to 10 ounces of water and allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.  With Green or Black teas steep only 2 minutes.

Winter Comfort Tea

• 1 part Chamomile
• 1/2 Ginger root, grated
• 1/4 part Cinnamon, broken

Why it works: Calming, gently warming, and perfect for evenings or snowy days.
Tip: Great with a touch of honey.

 

2. Cold Weather Calm

• 2 parts Lemon balm
• 1 part Peppermint
• 1 part Elderflower

Why it works: Bright and soothing without being medicinal—nice for stressy winter days.

3. Fireside Spice Tea

• 2 parts Rooibos
• 1/2 part Cinnamon
• 1/2 to 1 part Orange peel, broken or chopped

Why it works: Naturally caffeine-free, rich, and warming with a subtle citrus lift.
Feels like: A hug in a mug.

 

4. Throat & Soul Tea

• 1/2 part Marshmallow root
• 1/4 part Licorice root
• 1 part Peppermint

Why it works: Smooth, soothing, and especially nice during dry winter months.
Note: Naturally sweet without sugar.

 

5. Winter Garden Mint 

• 1 part Spearmint
• 1/2 part Lemon peel
• 1 part Rose petals

Why it works: Light, uplifting, and reminds you that gardens return 🌸
Lovely as: An afternoon pick-me-up.

 

6. Snow Day Chai-ish

• 1 part Black tea (or roasted dandelion root for caffeine-free)
• 1/2 part Ginger root, grated (1/4 part powdered)
• 1/4 part Cardamom seeds

Why it works: Cozy spice without a long ingredient list.

 

7. Simple Herbal Nightcap

• 2 parts Linden
• 1 part Chamomile
• 1/2 part Lemon peel, grated

Why it works: Gentle, floral, and relaxing—perfect before bed.

Reviving Dry Herbs

At Backyard Patch Herbs we grow and dry the herbs ourselves.  We have large drying racks and hang dry the herbs for the longest shelf life.  We then hand blend by measuring and shaking them using jars rather than bowls. 

Many people are unsure how it measure dry vs. fresh herbs, but it is simple.  If a recipe called for fresh herbs you will use 1/3 of that measurement in dry herbs. So 1 Tablespoon of fresh is just 1 teaspoon of dry herbs in a recipe.

When using dry herbs, you want to revive them before adding them to a recipe. Dried herbs can be reawakened with:

• A splash of warm water
• A drizzle of olive oil
• A squeeze of citrus
• Just rubbing them between your hands before sprinkling
• The steam from a simmering dish

Shelf-Life of Herbs

The shelf life of dry herbs is between 12 and 24 months, generally.  We guarentee 18 months because we air-dry the herbs.  However store bought herbs life can be much shorter due to shipping times and mechanical driers.  The best way to know if your herbs are still flavorful, is to rub them between your fingers and give them a sniff.  If the herbs don't have an aroma, they will not have any flavor and should be discarded or composted.

Hydrating Herbs for Maximum Flavor

Some herbs—particularly basil, mint, chives, parsley—taste even better when lightly hydrated.

Technique:
Add dried herbs to a spoonful of warm water or a squeeze of lemon juice and let rest for 2–3 minutes before incorporating into dips, pesto, dressings, or compound butters.

Blending Dried Herbs

Winter kitchens invite blending, because dried herbs mix well and develop new flavors over time.

Try combinations like:

• Italian mix: basil, oregano, parsley, thyme
• Mediterranean blend: rosemary, marjoram, lemon peel
• Comfort mix: sage, thyme, parsley, onion, garlic

Blending also protects delicate herbs (like parsley or chives) by pairing them with stronger ones.

Technique:
Rub the blended herbs lightly between your palms just before using. This warms the oils and intensifies the flavor.

 Recipes

Italian Hummus

1 crusty baguette, sliced
1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
3 tbsp sesame tahini paste
2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
2 Tbls Your Italian combo

1 lemon
salt
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Optional Garnishes

Coarsely chopped green or black olives
Chopped parsley and basil leaves
Chopped roasted red peppers
Chopped hot pickled vegetables (giardiniera)

Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Toast bread 7 to 8 minutes.  Place the beans in a food processor with tahini, garlic, rosemary, the juice of 1 lemon and some salt.  Turn processor on and stream in a little olive oil, process until smooth, adjust salt and transfer to a small serving bowl, garnish with toppings if you wish, and serve with toast. 

Roasted Tomatoes

These tender roasted tomatoes add a spark to weeknight meals.

• 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tsp Your Mediterranean Blend
• salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh chives

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss tomatoes, oil, and herb. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until tomatoes are browned on bottom and begin to collapse, about 15 minutes. Toss with chives.

Simple, Comforting Kitchen Rituals

Simple, comforting kitchen rituals that fit real winter life, especially when days are short and schedules are full. These are easy to weave into everyday routines without turning into “one more thing to do.”

1. The Daily Teapot Ritual

Keep one teapot (or French press) as the winter teapot.

• Refill it once a day—morning or mid-afternoon.
• Use the same favorite blend for a week to create continuity and comfort.
• Let it be your pause: steep, inhale, sip—no multitasking.

Why it works: Repetition creates calm, and warmth is grounding in winter.

 2. One-Pot Mondays (or Anyday)

Designate one evening a week for a single pot or pan meal.

• Soup, stew, braise, or sheet-pan dinner
  
• Use a go-to herb blend so you don’t have to think
• Leftovers become lunches or freezer meals

Why it works: Fewer decisions, fewer dishes, more nourishment.

 3. The “Flavor Boost” Habit

Add one intentional herb or seasoning to an otherwise ordinary meal.

• A pinch of Fine Herbs in eggs
• A spoonful of Soup & Salad Blend stirred into canned soup
• Herb butter crafted with Butter N Cheese, melted over frozen veggies

Why it works: Small upgrades make winter meals feel cared for without extra work.

4. Light Before Dinner

Before starting dinner, light a candle or turn on soft lighting.

• Do it before cooking begins
• Let the kitchen feel warm and welcoming even if dinner is simple

Why it works: Signals a shift from day mode to evening mode.

5. The Weekly Jar Reset

Once a week, refill or refresh one kitchen staple:

• Simple syrup
• Infused vinegar
• A small jar of herb seasoning
• A tea blend for the coming week

Why it works: Keeps your kitchen feeling stocked and intentional without a big prep day.

6. Warm Drink After Dinner

Replace dessert some nights with a warm, gently spiced drink.

• Herbal tea
• Warm apple juice or cider with mulling spices
• Milk or plant milk with a pinch of spice

Why it works: Supports digestion and helps signal the body it’s time to slow down.

7. Recipe Card by the Stove

Keep one favorite winter recipe card out for the week.

• Familiar, comforting, no decision fatigue
• Even if you don’t make it every night, it sets the tone

Why it works: Familiar food = emotional warmth.

8. The “Clean & Close” Ritual

End the night by fully closing the kitchen:

• Wipe counters
• Empty sink
• Turn off lights with intention

Why it works: Waking up to a reset kitchen feels like a gift to your future self.

9. Use the Same Herbs All Week

Choose 1–2 herb blends and use them repeatedly:

• Soup - robust herbs like rosemary, sage or thyme
• Eggs - savory herbs like chives, parsley, dill or chervil
• Roasted vegetables - strong herbs for roasting like thyme, oregano, or marjoram
• Grains - flavorful herbs like basil, oregano, and chives

Why it works: Builds flavor memory and reduces overwhelm.

10. One Quiet Moment each Day

Even just 2 minutes:

• Standing with a mug
• Watching steam rise
• Tasting intentionally

Why it works: Ritual isn’t about time—it’s about attention.

 

Ginger Hibiscus Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Red and cinnamon flavored, this tea is perfect for the holiday season, with a bit of ginger keeping your stomach happy and lemongrass for germ fighting. This can be served hot or iced.

Ginger Hibiscus Tea

2 parts dried lemongrass
1 part dried hibiscus flowers
1 1/4 parts dried finely chopped ginger
1/2 part cinnamon granules (or finely chopped cinnamon – not powder)

Mix together the dried herbs and spices.  You any size part you want, just keep it the same across all ingredients. For each 8 oz cup of tea, use 1 tsp of the dried mix, either in a tea ball, coffee filter tied shut or drawstring tea bag.  Bring water to a boil, turn off the heat and add the tea to teapot or tea cup and cover with water, closing the pot or covering the pot to keep in all of the essential oils.  Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending if you will be adding ice.

Elderberry and Fresh Mint Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Cooler weather, being indoors and vissiting with family and freinds often brings many airbourne illnesses, so I thought a tea you could keep in the refrigerator to use as an energy and immuity booster.  This is a two part tea you brew separately and mix together to serve. You can use any combination of fresh mint leaves you may have on hand to create this.

ELDERBERRY AND FRESH MINT TEA

Make a concentrated elderberry tea:

1 1/4 cup water
1 tsp dried elderberries
1 Tbls raisins

Bring water to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer, add elderberries and raisins, close pot and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, allow to come to room temperature and strain off the liquid.  You can keep the concentrate in the fridge for a week.

Make mint tea:  

Any combination of mints will work, so if you have a flavored mint, like lime, chocolate, orange or more, add those.  For a base I used spearmint and applemint in mine.

With fresh herbs we used 1 Tbls of fresh mint per cup of water (1 tsp of dried mint).  Bring water just to a boil, turn off heat. Place herbs in a teapot and pour over water.  Steeping with the lid closed on the pot for 3-5 minutes.  Remove the herbs.

Mix the two teas together, altering the ratio depending on whether you want more mint or more fruit flavor.  The raisins will give some natural sweetness, but you can also add honey.  Great as an iced tea, but excellent to keep handy in the fridge to heat up in the winter for your daily boost.  Drink daily 

 

Green Lavender Bath Soak - Bath Blend of the Month

This lovely bath soak features lavender leaves and other fresh green herbs from your garden, such as mint, rosemary, sage, thyme, or plantain.

Green Lavender Bath Soak 

Blend equal parts of fresh chopped green herbs in any combination you want, and Epsom salt in a mini food processor.

Spread the green colored salt over a sheet of wax paper and allow to air dry for a day or two, then crumble or re-blend the mix to an even texture.

If desired, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda, to help soften the water, and a few drops of lavender essential oil, for scent.

Add a half batch, or the whole amount, into a comfortably warm bath while the water is running.

For easier cleanup, pour the bath soak into a muslin tea bag or old sock before adding to the tub.

Preserving the Harvest: Making Herb Salts, Vinegars, and Syrups Before Frost

As the last golden days of fall arrive and the garden begins to slow, now’s the time to capture those fresh herbal flavors before frost claims your plants. Preserving herbs into salts, vinegars, and syrups lets you savor their fragrance and taste all winter long — or share them as thoughtful, homemade gifts.

🌿 Herbal Vinegars: Bright and Beautiful

Herbal vinegars are the perfect way to capture the essence of your garden in a bottle. They’re lovely for salad dressings, marinades, or drizzling over roasted veggies.

Try these combinations:

• Rosemary & Garlic Chive Vinegar – Earthy, aromatic, and perfect for roasted potatoes or chicken.
• Tarragon & Shallot Vinegar – Ideal for vinaigrettes and fish dishes.
• Basil & Oregano Vinegar – A perfect flavor to splash over tomatoes or toss with olive oil and pasta.

How to Make It:

1. Fill a clean glass jar half to two-thirds full with fresh (washed and dried) herbs.
2. Warm your vinegar slightly (white wine, distilled white, or rice vinegar with 5% acidity).
3. Pour over herbs, leaving about an inch of headspace. 
4. Bruise the herbs with the handle of a wood spoon.
5. Cover tightly and let infuse for 2–3 weeks in a cool, dark place.
6. Strain and bottle in decorative jars — they make charming kitchen gifts!

Add your creation to Backyard Patch Italian Dressing Mix or Lemon Chive Dressing Mix and enjoy at your holiday table.

🍬 Simple Herbal Syrups: Sweet and Soothing

Herbal syrups add flavor and flair to tea, sparkling water, mocktails, and desserts.

Flavor Ideas:

• Thyme & Lemon Syrup – Uplifting and bright; delicious in tea or with plain soda.
• Anise Hyssop Syrup – Lightly licorice and floral; pairs beautifully with gin-style mocktails.
• Lemon Verbena Syrup – Perfect for cocktails or drizzled over fruit salad.

How to Make It:

1. Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan.
   
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Add a generous handful of herbs (about ½ to 1 cup) and stir for 1 minute.
4. Remove from heat and cover.
5. Let steep 30 minutes or until it reaches room temperature, strain, and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

Use these along with the drink suggestions in our Backyard Patch Beginner Mocktails book.

🧂 DIY Herb Salts and Sugars: Quick Gifts from the Garden

These are ridiculously easy to make and keep the essence of herbs long after the garden fades.

Herb Salt Ideas:

• Rosemary & Sage Salt – Great for roasted vegetables and meats.
• Basil & Marjoram Salt – Adds a burst of summer to pasta dishes.

Herb Sugar Ideas:

• Scented Geranium Sugar – Perfect for baking or tea.
• Mint Sugar – Adds a cool twist to hot cocoa or cookies.

How to Make It:

1. Layer salt or sugar with fresh herbs leaves in a shallow jar (or pulse in a blender).
2. Use a ratio of 4 parts base to 1 part herbs.
3. Allow to meld for two weeks, then remove leaves whole (if using a blender, spread out on wax papaer to dry for 48 hours before storing.)
4. Store in airtight jars.

Keep near the stove with a jar of Backyard Patch Herbs Seasonings as ready-to-use cooking aids.

🎁 Gift Idea: “Preserve the Harvest” Basket

Bundle your homemade herb vinegar, a jar of herb salt or sugar, and a bottle of syrup with one of our Backyard Patch Herb Mixes for a thoughtful, garden-inspired gift. Add a sprig of dried herbs and a recipe tag for a personal touch.

🪶 Suggestion:
A woven basket with a bottle of herbal vinegar, a jar of salt, a syrup bottle, and a tea blend or seasoning packet — all nestled in kraft paper and tied with a raffia bow.

🌬️ Don’t Let Frost Steal Your Flavor

Taking a few hours to preserve your herbs now means you’ll have a taste of summer all winter long. Whether you enjoy them in your kitchen or give them as gifts, these simple projects keep your herbal harvest alive — in the most delicious ways possible.