I created this Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte during the weeks of nonstop rain. Tea is very popular during dreary weather and I wanted to sip on something that would match the mood. There needed to be a floral and soothing component, representing a hope for spring after weeks of rain and for the image of green hills emerging out of mist. [This post contains affiliate links] Jump to Recipe
Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte
One of my personal favorite drinks to indulge in during rainy weather is a London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Latte). But it didn’t really match the flavor profile I was looking for. Black tea also gets me more hyped up than coffee.
I settled on chamomile tea and rosehips. Chamomile tea has a soothing and calming influence on the body and mind. It’s floral with a slightly bittersweet bite. To cut that bite down and create a different tasting tea latte, I made a Rosehip Simple Syrup.
Tea Latte Tips
These are some tips that can apply to any tea latte:
Steeping
Double the strength of the brew by increasing the amount of tea and decreasing the amount of water. For regular tea, the formula is usually 1 teaspoon tea + 1 cup water + steep time. For tea lattes do 2 teaspoons tea + ½ cup water + steep time.
Don’t extend the steeping time. It can result in a bitter cup of tea. Herbal teas are the exception to the rule though.
My favorite way of brewing loose leaf tea for lattes is the Teavana Perfectea Maker.
Different methods of frothing the milk:
Using a milk frother is the easiest method and they really aren’t that expensive. I bought mine for $2.99.
To use a French press just add heated milk and plunge the heck out of it. I take the glass out of the metal holder and microwave the milk in it too, which means less clean up. It takes some arm work but it creates a really thick and velvety foam.
You can shake milk in a jar. I’ve never tried it but have seen videos.
Milk
Do equal parts tea and milk: ½ cup tea + ½ cup milk.
Use whatever milk floats your boat. Dairy milks are thicker and you won’t get as much of that pretty “latte separation.” But you get more foam. Non-dairy milks (nut and soy) are thinner and will separate nicely. Soymilk produces nice foam but I have a hard time getting decent foam from nut milks.
I’m a firm believer in using simple syrups. I think adding the syrup first produces a better latte but there is absolutely no science behind this. It’s just what I feel.
Love Me Tender
It’s funny how things work out sometimes. There is a very slight pink-lavender blush to the Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte, especially if you use nut milk. It comes from the Rosehip Simple Syrup.
These pictures don’t bring out that color very much. I used whole milk, which creates a cloudier but foamier latte (foam = cool pictures). I also strengthened the rosehip infusion to get more color and flavor after the pictures were already taken.
Anyway, rosehips had many meanings and uses throughout history. But wearing them in a string about the neck was supposed to attract love.
I still choose to think of this Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte as a rainy day soothing drink. But I guess it fits in pretty well with Valentine’s Day right? Lucky accident. You could have a Valentine’s Day tea party along with these romantic looking Matcha Frosted Sugar Cookies. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte
This Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte is a floral and herbal twist on the London Fog. It’s meant to soothe and calm the body and mind, making it perfect for dreary weather snuggle time!
Rosehip Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons rosehips, seedless
Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte
- 2 tablespoons Rosehip Simple Syrup
- 2 teaspoons chamomile tea
- 1/2 cup water (hot, near boiling)
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 teaspoon rose water
Rosehip Simple Syrup
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Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat on medium high until just before boiling and the liquid is clear, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and add the rosehips. Cover and steep for 20 minutes.
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Strain the rosehips out and use the syrup immediately or let it cool completely and then store in a mason jar in the fridge.
Rosehip Chamomile Tea Latte
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Heat a cup in the microwave until it’s warm.
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Add 2 tablespoons Rosehip Simple Syrup.
- Add 2 heaping teaspoons of chamomile tea to infuser/strainer of choice. Pour a 1/2 cup of hot water over the tea, cover, and steep for 10 minutes (if steeping tea directly into a cup, put a plate on top-if steeping tea in a separate device make sure the lid is closed).
- Take the strainer out or pour/drip the tea into the cup.
- Heat milk of choice in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until steaming and just about to boil. Or heat it in a small sauce pan.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon rose water and then froth with a milk frother. Pour into cup and serve.
Prep time does not include making the Rosehip Simple Syrup.
*I think the best order to add simple syrup to lattes is first: syrup, tea or coffee, milk. But depending on your tea brewing method, add it at different times. If you have a Teavana Perfectea tea maker or cup-sized mesh infusers and mesh balls, you can easily add the syrup first. If you put your loose leaf tea in reusable cloth bags or filters, consider adding the simple syrup after your tea has steeped-they end up collecting all the simple syrup and the tea doesn’t infuse as well sitting in the syrup.
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