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    Home » Cold Drinks

    Star Anise Tea

    Posted: Nov 24, 2020 · Updated: Feb 12, 2021 by Tonje

    791 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    If you're looking to make a comforting hot beverage, I highly recommend star anise tea. A simple drink with subtle flavors of star anise and cinnamon, perfect for cold winter evenings or holiday gatherings.

    Two cups of star anise tea, with cinnamon sticks and star anise on the side.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Star anise
    • Instructions
    • Top tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • Leftovers
    • Frequently asked questions
    • You might also like these recipes
    • Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about it in the privacy policy.

    I love hot beverages, and have previously shared some of my favorites, like my hot lemon and ginger drink and spiced orange juice recipes.

    This star anise tea is made using pantry staples you might already have available, and is just such a lovely, warming drink that's perfect for winter and around the holiday season.

    It's also healthy, low calorie, and as it's vegan, keto, dairy free, gluten free, nut free and soy free, it should be suitable for most dietary requirements.

    Ingredients

    To make this recipe, you will need water, star anise, cinnamon sticks, tea bags, and optionally a little honey or agave nectar to sweeten it.

    You can make star anise tea using either green tea or black tea bags, so pick whichever is your favorite! I prefer to use green tea bags in this drink.

    Close up of a cup of tea with star anise.

    Star anise

    Star anise is a spice commonly used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines. It's called star anise because it's shaped like a star, and it has a very distinct flavor.

    In Western cuisines, star anise is mostly used in holiday dishes, such as mulled wine, desserts or cookies.

    Instructions

    Bring the water to a boil, either using an electric kettle, or in a pot on the stove top.

    Pour the water into a suitable container, like a tea pot, mixing bowl or measuring cup. Add the tea bags, cinnamon sticks, star anise and optionally honey.

    Stir the tea, and leave it to steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, add any extra sweetener if you want, then serve!

    Two glasses of tea with star anise.

    Top tips

    Here are my best tips to help you succeed with this star anise tea recipe:

    • Use black or green tea bags, whichever is your preference.
    • The star anise and cinnamon stick should not be substituted with ground spices.
    • I like to leave the star anise and cinnamon sticks in the tea pot or cups when I serve them, as they look really nice. You can remove them if you prefer.
    Glasses filled with star anise tea with cinnamon sticks on the side.

    Serving suggestions

    This beverage can be served anytime you want to enjoy a warm, comforting drink. Serve it with your breakfast, make a pot of star anise tea to keep with you at work, prepare a big batch before a family gathering for the holidays, or enjoy a cup before bedtime.

    If you wish to serve your cup of tea along with something else, here are some of my favorite suggestions:

    • Blueberry Overnight Oats - A great option for breakfast.
    • Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies - Perfect as a snack alternative.
    • Date Walnut Balls - A healthy, but delicious sweet treat.
    • Healthy Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins - These easy, but tasty muffins are perfect as a dessert.

    Leftovers

    The tea can be stored in a tea pot or other jug. Certain tea pots are better at keeping the beverage warm than others, but most should be able to keep the drink hot for at least a few hours.

    You can also store it in a refrigerator for up to 3 days and enjoy it as iced tea if you wish!

    Star anise tea in a cup.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is star anise tea safe to drink?

    Absolutely! Star anise tea is completely safe to drink, and quite common in various Asian cuisines.

    What's the difference between star anise and anise?

    Star anise and anise have a very similar flavor, but are made from two different plants. You can sometimes substitute one for the other in recipes, but in different amounts.

    You might also like these recipes

    • Hot Lemon and Ginger Drink
    • Ginger Lemon Iced Tea
    • Cilantro Tea
    • Mint Iced Tea
    • Spiced Hot Orange Juice
    • Sugar Free Hot Chocolate

    Recipe

    Star Anise Tea.

    Star Anise Tea

    If you’re looking to make a comforting hot beverage, I highly recommend star anise tea. A simple drink with subtle flavors of star anise and cinnamon, perfect for cold winter evenings or holiday gatherings.
    4.75 from 8 votes
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 20 kcal

    Equipment

    • Electric Kettle
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups water
    • 2 tea bags (black tea or green tea)
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 6 star anise
    • 2 teaspoons honey (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Bring the water to a boil, either using an electric kettle, or in a pot on the stove top.
    • Pour the water into a suitable container, like a tea pot, mixing bowl or measuring cup.
    • Add the tea bags, cinnamon sticks, star anise and optionally honey to the boiled water.
    • Stir the tea, and leave it to steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, add any extra sweetener if you want, then serve!

    Notes

    • Use black or green tea bags, whichever is your preference.
    • The star anise and cinnamon stick should not be substituted with ground spices.
    • I like to leave the star anise and cinnamon sticks in the tea pot or cups when I serve them, as they look really nice. You can remove them if you prefer.
    • The tea can be stored in a tea pot or other jug. Certain tea pots are better at keeping the beverage warm than others, but most should be able to keep the drink hot for at least a few hours.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 20kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cinnamon, honey, star anise, tea
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mohammed

      December 17, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Just wanna tell you that this is very good.

      Reply
      • Tonje

        December 20, 2020 at 4:35 pm

        Happy you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Nikoletta

      January 12, 2021 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!! I've made this a few times now, I absolutely love it.

      Reply
    3. Anna

      January 22, 2021 at 5:35 am

      5 stars
      Love this drink!

      Reply
    4. Gabbi

      January 30, 2021 at 12:31 am

      5 stars
      This looks so good, can't wait to try it. I only have ground anise right now, can I use that? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Tonje

        January 30, 2021 at 7:23 am

        Hi Gabbi! I have only tried it with whole star anise. If you make it with ground spices, I'd love to know how it went.

        Reply
    5. Louise

      January 30, 2021 at 1:49 am

      5 stars
      I don't like coffee or hot chocolate, so this is a good alternative.

      Reply
    6. Kirsty

      February 06, 2021 at 8:39 am

      5 stars
      This is so good, really comforting.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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