Orange tea recipes with cinnamon, mint & more: 5 ideas for every season

1. What makes orange tea special?
   1. Which ingredients go especially well with orange?
   2. Health benefits of orange peel and more
2. Recipe 1: winter orange tea with cinnamon (Ishpingo)
3. Recipe 2: summer tea with orange, mint and lemongrass
4. Recipe 3: vanilla orange tea for relaxing afternoons
5. Recipe 4: rosemary orange tea for focus and clarity
6. Recipe 5: ginger orange iced tea with a kick
7. FAQ: preparation, effects and origin

1. What makes orange tea special?

Orange tea is more than an aromatic fruit infusion – it is a real all-rounder for flavour, wellbeing and creative recipes.

The combination of essential oils, bitter compounds and natural vitamin C makes dried orange peel an underrated star ingredient in all kinds of tea blends.

1.1 Which ingredients go especially well with orange?

Orange is surprisingly versatile. Depending on the effect or season you are after, it pairs harmoniously with:

• Cinnamon (Ishpingo) – for warmth, depth and a festive spice note
• Mint – for freshness, lightness and cooling summer teas
• Amazonian vanilla – for soft, soothing blends with a sweet note
• Rosemary – for clear-headed, herbaceous spice notes, ideal when mentally fatigued
• Ginger – for a warming, invigorating effect

Depending on your mood, the season or the effect you want, these ingredients pair beautifully with our permaculture-grown orange pieces.

1.2 Health benefits of orange peel and more

Dried orange peel contains a variety of secondary plant compounds, including hesperidin and naringenin, which have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and digestive effects. Combined with functional ingredients, they make a real wellness tea with extra benefits:

• Cinnamon can help stabilise blood sugar levels
• Mint has a soothing effect on the stomach and mind
• Vanilla has relaxing effects through the limbic system
• Rosemary stimulates blood circulation in the brain
• Guayusa helps you feel alert and focused

Find out more about the effects, uses and origin of orange peel in our main article about orange tea.

2. Recipe 1: winter orange tea with cinnamon (Ishpingo)

This recipe brings warming spices and deep flavours together – ideal for cold winter days or cosy evenings on the sofa.

Ishpingo cinnamon comes from the Amazon and gives the tea a rounded note, without the sharp bitterness of cassia cinnamon.

Ingredients (makes 2 cups):

• 1 tbsp dried orange pieces
• 1 tsp dried Ishpingo cinnamon leaves
• 500 ml water
• Optional: ½ tsp vanilla powder or 1 tsp honey

Preparation:

1. Bring the water to the boil.
2. Put the orange peel and cinnamon in a teapot.
3. Pour over the boiling water and leave to steep for 8–10 minutes.
4. Add vanilla or honey to taste and enjoy hot.

Tip: You can also keep the tea warm in a flask for hours – perfect for winter walks or long days at the office.

3. Recipe 2: summer tea with orange, mint and lemongrass

Fresh, cooling and citrusy, this summer tea brings a light touch to your glass. The combination of loose orange tea, mint and permaculture-grown lemongrass is invigorating and thirst-quenching, with no sugar or artificial additives.

Ingredients (makes about 1 litre of iced tea):

• 2 tbsp dried orange pieces
• 1–2 tsp dried mint or a few fresh leaves
• 1 tsp dried lemongrass
• 1 litre water
• Optional: ice cubes, fresh orange slices and mint to garnish

Preparation:

1. Bring 500 ml of water to the boil.
2. Put the orange peel, lemongrass and mint in a teapot.
3. Pour over the hot water and leave to steep for 7–10 minutes.
4. Strain, top up with another 500 ml of cold water and chill.
5. Garnish with ice cubes, orange slices and mint before serving.

Tip: Add a few drops of lemon juice or a pinch of grated lime zest for extra freshness.

4. Recipe 3: vanilla orange tea for relaxing afternoons

Smooth, rounded and slightly sweet, this tea is the perfect companion for quiet moments. The combination of loose orange tea and Amazonian vanilla (Vanilla odorata) has a relaxing, almost meditative effect, with no caffeine.

Ingredients (makes 2 cups):

• 1 tbsp dried orange pieces
• ½ tsp vanilla powder or the seeds scraped from a small vanilla pod
• 500 ml water
• Optional: 1 tsp cacao husks or a pinch of cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Bring the water to the boil.
2. Put the orange pieces, vanilla and, if using, cacao husks or cinnamon in a teapot.
3. Pour over the hot water and leave to steep for 10 minutes.
4. Strain and enjoy warm – ideal in the afternoon or before bed.

Tip: Add a splash of plant milk to round out the flavour and give the tea a natural latte-like touch.

5. Recipe 4: rosemary orange tea for focus and clarity

Rosemary is known for supporting concentration and is traditionally used in herbal medicine for mental stimulation. Combined with loose orange peel, it makes a tea that brings clarity and warmth – perfect for focused mornings or creative afternoons.

Ingredients (makes 2 cups):

• 1 tbsp dried orange peel or pieces
• 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 fresh sprig (organic)
• Optional: ½ tsp lemon zest or 1 tsp Guayusa for an extra boost
• 500 ml water

Preparation:

1. Bring the water to the boil.
2. Put the rosemary and orange peel in a teapot.
3. Pour over the hot water and leave to steep for 7–10 minutes.
4. Add lemon zest or Guayusa to taste for a focused start to the day.

Tip: For a cold version, leave the tea to cool, serve over ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

6. Recipe 5: ginger orange iced tea with a kick

This iced tea is the perfect blend of wild Amazonian ginger heat and fruity orange depth. It stimulates the metabolism, refreshes and helps wake you up – ideal for hot days or as an alternative to energy drinks.

Ingredients (makes about 1 litre of iced tea):

• 2 tbsp dried orange pieces
• 1–2 tsp dried Amazonian ginger
• Optional: 1 tsp Guayusa for a natural caffeine boost
• ½ organic orange, sliced
• 1 litre water
• Ice cubes and fresh mint (optional)

Preparation:

1. Bring 500 ml of water to the boil and pour it over the orange peel, ginger and optional Guayusa.
2. Leave to steep for 7–10 minutes, then strain.
3. Top up with another 500 ml of cold water and chill.
4. Serve with ice cubes, orange slices and mint.

Tip: For sugar-free sweetness, leave a few dried apple pieces to steep in the tea.

7. FAQ: preparation, effects and origin

Here are answers to common questions about orange tea made with loose orange slices and pieces, and its most popular ingredients. You can also find more information in our comprehensive orange tea guide.