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Tradition with a Twist

Tea and honey are more than just ingredients for a soothing cup – they’re versatile additions to both drinks and various dishes throughout the year. From the fresh flavors of spring through the warmth of winter, this guide offers creative ways to incorporate tea and honey into your cooking. Explore seasonal ideas for beverages, glazes, marinades, and more, with suggestions for pairing them with in-season ingredients. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or a honey lover, you’ll find inspiration to elevate your kitchen creations.

BEVERAGES

Hot or Iced Teas

• Classic: Any black, green, or herbal tea sweetened with honey instead of sugar.
• Iced Chai Latte: Brew strong chai tea, chill, mix with milk or a plant-based alternative, and stir in honey.
• Citrus-Honey Green Tea: Steep green tea with lemon slices and fresh ginger, then sweeten with honey.

Mocktails / Cocktails

• Honey Tea Spritzer: Cold-brewed herbal tea (like meadow, lemon balm, hibiscus or chamomile), splash of honey syrup, sparkling water, lemon or orange peel.
• Bourbon + Black Tea: Combine brewed black tea with a touch of honey, lemon juice, and a splash of bourbon.
• Green Tea Mojito (non-alcoholic or boozy): Green tea, muddled mint, lime, honey, club soda.→ Boozy option: Add 1.5 oz white rum (or try gin, tequila blanco, or sake for a twist).

Smoothies

• Hibiscus & Strawberry Smoothie: Steep hibiscus tea, then blend with strawberries, banana, and honey for a tangy, refreshing treat.
• Blueberry Lavender Smoothie: Brew lavender tea, chill, then blend with blueberries, Greek yogurt, and honey for a fragrant, creamy smoothie.
• Lemon Rooibos Smoothie: Brew lemon rooibos tea, then blend with banana, Greek yogurt, and honey for a zesty smoothie with a rich texture.

COOKING & BAKING

Glazes and Marinades

• Honey-Tea Glaze: Reduce strong tea (like Earl Grey, jasmine, or rooibos) with honey, soy sauce, and vinegar for a glaze over salmon, tofu, or chicken.
• Marinate proteins with brewed tea (black for beef, green for chicken or shrimp) plus garlic, ginger, soy, and honey.
• Tea-Rubbed Meat: Mix ground black or lapsang souchong tea with salt, pepper, and spices as a rub; drizzle with honey after roasting or grilling.

Sweet Uses

• Tea-Infused Syrups: Steep tea in water, reduce with honey for a syrup over pancakes, cakes, or ice cream.
• Honey-Chamomile Shortbread: Use ground dried chamomile or steep in butter, mix with honey and flour.
• Earl Grey and Honey Cake: Infuse milk with Earl Grey, then bake into a honey-sweetened sponge or loaf cake.

Savory Uses

• Dressings & Sauces: Use strong-brewed tea (like oolong or green) as a base for vinaigrettes or sauces, sweetened with honey.
• Grain Bowls: Cook grains in tea-infused water (jasmine rice, green tea quinoa) and drizzle honey over roasted root veg or squash.
• Pickling Liquid: Add brewed tea and honey to a basic pickle brine—great for onions, radishes, or carrots.

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SEASONAL IDEAS and PAIRINGS

Explore the best of each season with tea and honey combinations that complement the flavors of fresh produce. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing smoothie, a warming baked good, or a creative way to incorporate these ingredients into savory dishes, these seasonal ideas offer plenty of flexibility. From fruit-forward pairings to spiced blends, mix and match for vibrant, easy-to-make creations that showcase the flavors of the moment.

Spring

• Green tea and mint iced tea with honey
• Chamomile tea infused with lemon balm and honey
• Honey-matcha vinaigrette for pea shoots or spring greens
• Jasmine tea with honey for a light sorbet base
• Asparagus, radishes, baby carrots, green garlic, strawberries

Summer

• Hibiscus tea and honey popsicles with fruit
• Green tea mojito with fresh garden mint and honey
• Rooibos honey glaze for grilled chicken or tofu
• Honey-tea syrup over stone fruit or melon
• Cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, plums, blueberries, corn, basil

Fall

• Chai tea honey glaze for roasted squash or carrots
• Apple cider and black tea cocktail/mocktail with honey and cinnamon
• Honey-oolong dressing for grain bowls with roasted roots
• Honey-lapsang tea rub for beef or mushrooms
• Apples, pears, sweet potatoes, beets, winter squash, cranberries

Winter

• Hot Earl Grey with orange peel and honey
• Smoky black tea and honey glaze for roasted meats
• Chamomile-honey shortbread with citrus zest
• Rooibos steeped with spices and honey for a cozy tea latte
• Citrus fruits, cabbage, leeks, parsnips, turnips, dried fruit