Sipping a cup of herbal tea is something I like to do throughout the year, but when it’s hot outside I want something cool and refreshing. Of course, I can always make an iced herbal tea like my wildflower infusion or white clover tea, but sometimes a frozen treat is the only thing that sounds good. That’s where I got the great idea to make popsicles out of herbal tea! These lavender and lemon balm herbal popsicles are not only delicious and refreshing, but they also have benefits to our health.
Benefits of Herbal Popsicles
The best part about any homemade popsicle is that you get to choose what goes in them and the amount of sugar they contain. This is perfect for children so that you can give them a natural version of the extra sugary and colored with who-knows-what kind of store-bought popsicles.
Herbal popsicles are also super simple to make. Just make up a batch of herbal tea, sweeten it a bit if desired, pour into your popsicle mold (I use this stainless steel one), and freeze.
The most important part is that you can get all the same benefits of herbal tea but in popsicle form!
I chose lavender and lemon balm (and a sprig of lemon verbena) for this popsicle recipe because they are relaxing, stress reducing, and good for the digestive system.
Lavender and lemon is also a wonderful taste combination, see my recipe on lemon + lavender shortbread cookies!
Love lemon balm as much as I do? Try these 30+ recipes for using lemon balm.
Lavender, lemon balm, and a sprig of lemon verbena
Really any herbs would work, just choose what sounds good to you and what you might benefit from. Here are a few that come to mind:
If you don’t have access to fresh herbs and flowers, my favorite place to purchase high quality, organic dried herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs.
Lavender + Lemon Balm Herbal Popsicle Recipe
I used fresh lavender and lemon balm from my garden for this recipe, and I also added in a sprig of lemon verbena to boost the lemon flavor even more. Dried lavender flowers will also work, and you could also use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of the lemon balm if you like.
Lavender can get bitter if steeped in tea for longer than 15 minutes, so keep that in mind. If you use different herbs this won’t be as much of an issue.
These popsicles turned out so good!
Actually, I should be honest and say that the first round of these that I made I steeped the tea for way too long and the lavender made it quite bitter. I learned my lesson the hard way!
The second time around I cut back on the steeping time and they were perfect!
Homemade herbal popsicles are a fun and refreshing way to get the benefit of herbs in the heat of the summer. Besides that, they taste delicious and aren’t full of weird ingredients.
Gotta love that!
Lavender + Lemon Balm Popsicles
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 5-6 whole fresh lavender blossoms
- 1 small handful fresh lemon balm
- 2-4 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil, then pour over the lavender and lemon balm in a quart sized jar.
- Steep the tea for 10-15 minutes, then strain out the herbs with a fine mesh sieve and stir in the honey to your desired sweetness.
- Let the tea cool down a bit (you can add a few ice cubes if you're impatient like me), then pour it into a popsicle mold. Freeze for several hours or overnight.
Can I use Maple Syrup or Agave instead of Honey?
Sure!
Thanks very much for this recipe, something to try when my lemon balm and lavender go crazy next summer
Enjoy!
May I ask why the metal popsicle molds? Would silicone work as well?
Hi Carol. Silicone is totally fine. I just personally like using stainless steel.
Wow excited I found this site. Thank you for all your wonderful information. Especially about lavender being a perennial, I did not know that. Just 1 question tho. So if your lavender is in a pot should it be transfered into the ground to survive the seasons?
Hi Brenda. If you’re growing lavender in a pot, you can bring it indoors during the winter in order for it to survive.
It’s November up here in Canada and I’ve only just found this….I see you mentioned above that 2tbsp of dried lavender flowers should do it, but could you recommend an amount of dried lemon balm? Maybe the same amount as for lavender, or should it be somewhat less? I can’t wait to try this!
dried herbs are more potent than fresh herbs, so you may have to play with the ratios a bit to get it to your preference. I would probably start with a tablespoon and adjust as needed.
Wow this is exciting. My question: Is Lavender hard to grow, is it a perennial and does it spread as I don’t have a lot of room among the herbs I already grow
It doesn’t spread like some other plants via the roots, but it does get bushy… Just trim it back in the fall. It is easy to grow. And it’s a perennial.
New to Your site! Wonderful!! I have much more exploring to do!! My query is: when I have made homemade popsicles they are just ice cubes. Rock hard. The store toxic popsicles are somewhat more loose after a short time. Have any clues about that? Is it just tons of sugar? Thank You for all You do to document and help us be wise too!!
where can i get fresh lavender plants?
You say 5-6 whole lavender blossoms…. are you talking stocks of lavender blossoms or 5 or 6 of the tiny little, needle-sized flowers? It’s rather vague and with lavender being such a strong ‘taste’ it would seem rather important to not overdo it! I’m thinking these would make lovely ice cubes too…
Hi Kim, yes it is 5-6 whole stalks of lavender. Feel free to use less if you don’t want a strong lavender taste!
If I only have dried culinary lavender, how much do I use? Thanks!
About 2 tablespoons should do it!
Where do I find fresh lavender blossoms and fresh lemon balm?
Hi Teri, I have them growing in my yard. I suggest growing them!
Buy it at your local season garden center
how did these turn out purple? does the fresh lavender make it turn purple? my dried lavender does not part any type of coloring.
I am wondering the same thing. I know butterfly pea flowers can impart that deep colour but aren’t mentioned here.
Hi Maria, they are purple only from the fresh lavender flowers (I used a lot!).
Hello, Colleen. I am writing to tell you how very much I enjoy your blogs. They are packed full of knowledge and great ideas. And the photography is just…eye candy…and helps me to recognize the treasures growing in my own backyard. Please keep growing and learning and sharing. I am one reader who appreciates all you do.
Beth
Very true about lavender…how can something so wonderful be to yucky when you use too much? Mother Nature sure can be funny that way…