National Hot Tea Day (Monday, January 12) — Let Your Container Herbs Steal the Show ☕🌿

Mark your mugs, PGS friends as National Hot Tea Day is Monday, January 12, and it’s the perfect excuse to cozy up with something warm while your outdoor pots rest.

And since we’re container gardeners… we get to celebrate in the best way: turning the herbs we grow into comforting tea blends (the kind that feels like a blanket you can drink).

𝐓𝐡𝐞 “𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛 𝐓𝐞𝐚” 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 (𝐒𝐨 𝐈𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭)

A few simple rules make a huge difference:

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐯𝐬. 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝

* 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬: use a small handful (about 1–2 tablespoons lightly packed per cup)

* 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬: use about 1 teaspoon per cup

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞

* Tender leafy herbs (mint, lemon balm, basil): 𝟓–𝟕 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬

* Woodier herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage): 𝟕–𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬

* If it’s too strong: steep less time next cup, or add more hot water.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲

A tea infuser is great, but a simple kitchen strainer works perfectly.

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 “𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰-𝐈𝐭-𝐈𝐧-𝐀-𝐏𝐨𝐭” 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 (𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝)

𝟏) 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐭 + 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐦 “𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐩”

Bright, soothing, and fresh — like a deep breath.

* Fresh mint + fresh lemon balm

* Optional: a little honey or a slice of lemon

𝐓𝐢𝐩: Lemon balm is often the “I didn’t know I needed this” herb.

𝟐) 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 + 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 “𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫-𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝” 𝐓𝐞𝐚

This one feels crisp and cozy at the same time.

* 1 small sprig rosemary

* Lemon slice or peel

* Optional: honey

𝐓𝐢𝐩: Rosemary is strong — start small, then adjust.

𝟑) 𝐓𝐡𝐲𝐦𝐞 + 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 “𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐩”

A classic cold-weather flavor that’s surprisingly delicious.

* A few thyme sprigs (or 1 tsp dried)

* Honey to taste

𝐓𝐢𝐩: Thyme can get bold fast best is short steep = smoother sip.

𝟒) 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐞 + 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 “𝐂𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠” 𝐓𝐞𝐚

Warm, slightly earthy, and perfect for slow evenings.

* 2–3 sage leaves (fresh) or 1 tsp dried

* Optional: lemon + honey

𝐓𝐢𝐩: Sage is potent so less is more.

𝟓) 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥 “𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧” 𝐓𝐞𝐚

Yes, basil tea is a thing and it’s lovely.

* A few basil leaves (sweet basil)

* Optional: honey and/or a tiny pinch of cinnamon

𝐓𝐢𝐩: If you grow different basils (like lemon basil), experiment!

𝟔) 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 “𝐒𝐩𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭” 𝐓𝐞𝐚 (𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲)

Lavender adds that relaxing, floral note.

* A tiny pinch of culinary lavender (or a few buds)

* Great paired with: mint or lemon balm

𝐓𝐢𝐩: Lavender can taste “soapy” if you use too much, go gentle.

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐣𝐨𝐲)

* Warm your mug with hot water first (then dump it) for a cozier cup

* Add a sprig of fresh herb right into the mug as a “fancy” garnish

* Do a mini “tea flight”: 3 small cups, 3 herb blends, vote your favorite

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 (𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞)

If you’re pregnant, nursing, or take medications, some herbs (especially concentrated amounts of sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender) may not be a fit in large quantities. When in doubt, keep it light and check with your healthcare professional.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: If you made a cup of herb tea from your containers, what would you brew firs? Mint, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, basil, or something else?

𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬: Drop your favorite “tea add-on” too: honey, lemon, cinnamon, or none at all? 🍯🍋

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