This lavender milk tea is a delicious and creamy way to enjoy a hot beverage. We made this recipe with honey and lavender for a sweet drink with a wonderful floral flavor!
Milk teas, in their simplest form, are tea and milk. They've gained popularity because they are often sweetened and can be uncaffeinated. Some of the most common are matcha lattes, thai tea, chai latte, and boba tea.
For this cup of tea, we chose to steep coconut milk with dried lavender to ensure the bright and wonderful lavender flavor really shines. Because coconut milk is slightly sweet, we can use less sweetener overall. Finally, we added honey and maca, both of which have floral and earthy notes to compliment the lavender.
This results in the most wonderful lavender milk tea that is best enjoyed on a cool morning while you are watching the waves. Or (since it’s caffeine free!), in the evening while reading your favorite book or magazine with your pup by your side.
Looking for more delicious recipes that are dairy free? Try our honeydew milk tea, strawberry matcha latte, and this pumpkin white mocha.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.
Coconut Milk: We use boxed coconut milk for a thinner texture. Boxed coconut milk has a higher water content that makes for a great latte texture!
Substitutions: Almond milk, oat milk, or any other vegan milk can be used. Whole milk or any dairy milk can also be used. Pretty much any kind of milk you like works!
Dried Lavender Flowers: This is the base of the recipe! If you can’t find this in the store or online, you can usually find dried lavender stems in the supermarket flower section and then simply pull the dried lavender buds off of the stem.
Substitutions: Lavender paste, fresh lavender, lavender syrup, loose lavender tea, or lavender tea bags can be used. Essential oils should not be used as they are not FDA approved or tested by the same conventions as food items.
Adaptogenic Powder: Often used in alternative medicine, Adaptogens are blends of dried, powdered functional foods. They often include mushrooms and other herbal ingredients that have been shown to be beneficial to general health. This is not necessary but I figure, why not have some extra umph in this milk tea!
Substitutions: This can be left out or you can use your favorite functional food, like maca powder. Careful when adding, a little goes a long way!
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds richness to this milk tea. By adding the vanilla, we are adding flavor and emulating the creaminess of dairy milk.
Substitutions: Imitation vanilla, vanilla bean paste, or vanilla bean powder can be used. Vanilla can also be left out. I suppose whole vanilla bean can be used but that seems like a lot of work..
Honey: Honey provides the sweetness, plus it goes exceptionally well with lavender and vanilla!
Substitutions: White sugar, maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar can be used.
How to Make this - Step by Step
Step one: Add milk, vanilla, adaptogenic powder, and lavender to a small saucepan and heat for 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir constantly.
Step two: Add honey to a mug and place a fine mesh sieve on top of the mug. Gently pour hot milk mixture through the sieve and into the mug.
Step three: Stir in the honey. It should stir in easily with the hot milk. Enjoy! If you’re feeling fancy, top with extra frothed milk!
Watch How to Make This - Step by Step
Joy Tip!
Don’t have a fine mesh sieve? No worries! If you have a cocktail shaker, simply take the lid and flip it upside down over your mug. Pour your milk mixture through the inverted lid to strain out the seeds.
Facts and Common Questions
Where do I buy adaptogenic powder and dried lavender?
These can be found in store or online. Adaptogen powder is often found in health food stores or in the supplement aisle of Target or Whole Foods. You can also purchase it online here.
Lavender can be found in stores in the flower section in the spring. You can also find dried lavender seeds with teas or find the dried stems near the check out. If buying stems, simply pull off the seeds and use them. You can find them online here.
Can this meet my dietary needs?
This is made with only natural sugar, is gluten free, caffeine free, and dairy free. If you swap out the honey for gave or maple syrup, it is also vegan.
Do I need a mesh sieve?
No, you can also fish out the seeds with a large spoon, use a pasta strainer, or even pour through the top of a cocktail shaker placed upside down. Looking to buy a fine mesh strainer? Try this one!
Can I make this iced?
Sure can! To make this an iced tea, only heat ¼ of the milk with the lavender, adaptogenics, vanilla, and honey (yes, add the honey early). Then add the rest of the cold milk to a glass that is full of ice (I mean really full!). Strain the lavender milk mixture into the cup with cold milk and ice, and enjoy!
You can also put everything into a mason jar to steep overnight and then strain over ice in the morning.
Does lavender tea make you sleep?
Some research shows that lavender helps promote sleep, but nothing very conclusive. Many people report lavender and warm milk have a calming effect, and this has both! This is speculated to be because the anti-inflammatory properties of lavender help to calm the nervous system and therefore lead to deep sleep. For me, the smell is very relaxing, so it sets the tone for going to sleep and therefore makes me sleepy!
Does lavender tea have caffeine?
Nope! This Herbal tea is caffeine free all the way! But, if you want caffeine, feel free to add black tea or green tea bags to the milk for a lavender tea latte. Earl grey tea goes great in a cup of lavender milk tea!
Want to Save it for Later? Here’s how!
Although we believe this is best enjoyed right away, if you do not finish it, simply cover the mug and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat for 30 - 45 seconds in the microwave or enjoy over ice. This is not freezer friendly!
Fun Fact
Although lavender is usually associated with bath and beauty products (lavender oil,, lotion, or soap), it is in the same family as mint and the use of lavender is very common in the culinary world. Lavender has a long history, even being used by Egyptians for mummification. The scent deters mice, pests, flies, and mosquitos. And, lavender is often added to high quality honey (we told you honey and lavender go great together!). (Source)
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Recipe
Lavender Milk Tea
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut milk boxed
- ½ teaspoon lavender buds dried
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon adaptogenic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Heat milk over medium heat and add dried lavender buds, adaptogenic powder, and vanilla. Heat for 5 minutes to infuse.
- Add honey to a mug and place a fine mesh sieve on top of the mug. Gently pour hot milk mixture through the sieve and into the mug.
- Stir in the honey. It should stir in easily with the hot milk. Enjoy! If you’re feeling fancy, top with extra frothed milk!
Kw says
This is great and relaxing
Annabell says
This milk tea is so cozy and super easy!