What Can I Add to Lemon Balm Tea for Enhanced Flavor?

December 12, 2025 •

5 min read

Historically, lemon balm has been used to calm anxiety and support digestion, but its mild, lemony flavor is just a starting point. Knowing what can I add to lemon balm tea allows you to create customized brews that are both delicious and therapeutic.

Quick Summary

Explore various herbs, fruits, and spices to complement the delicate lemon balm flavor. Personalize your herbal infusion for taste and therapeutic benefits, from calming blends to warming options.

Key Points

Herbal Harmony: Pair lemon balm with other herbs like mint, chamomile, or lavender to create a more complex flavor profile and enhance its relaxing effects.
Citrus Spark: A classic choice, adding fresh slices of lemon, lime, or orange peel can boost the tea's bright, zesty notes, especially for an iced version.
Spiced Warmth: Introduce spices such as fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, or a small pinch of cayenne to give your tea a warming kick and additional health benefits.
Natural Sweeteners: Instead of refined sugar, sweeten with raw honey, agave nectar, or a homemade lemon balm simple syrup to complement the tea's natural flavors.
Fruity Fusion: Steep fresh or frozen berries like raspberries or blackberries, or add apple slices for a naturally sweet and colorful infusion, perfect for summer.
Mindful Blending: Combine lemon balm with green or black tea for a caffeinated option, or steep with other calming herbs for a soothing, caffeine-free brew.

Lemon balm tea, a beloved herbal infusion, offers a refreshingly mild, citrus-mint flavor profile that can be enjoyed on its own or enhanced with a variety of complementary ingredients. While the tea is lauded for its calming properties, adding other elements can elevate its taste, amplify its benefits, and create a truly unique beverage experience. From other soothing herbs to spicy kicks and fruity bursts, the options are plentiful for anyone looking to experiment with their brew. This guide will walk you through a range of additions to help you craft your perfect cup.

Herbal Companions for a Calming Blend

One of the most popular ways to enhance lemon balm tea is by blending it with other complementary herbs. The mint family, to which lemon balm belongs, offers several excellent choices. Creating these herbal combinations can provide a more complex flavor and potentially increase the tea's calming or digestive effects.

Mint and Peppermint

The natural minty notes of lemon balm are a perfect match for other mint varieties. Adding fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves can intensify the coolness and invigorating sensation of the tea. This combination is particularly excellent for aiding digestion and soothing upset stomachs.

Use a small handful of fresh mint leaves per serving.
Crush or tear the leaves gently to release their oils before steeping with the lemon balm.

Chamomile and Lavender

For those seeking maximum relaxation, combining lemon balm with chamomile and lavender creates a powerful, sedative-like blend ideal for bedtime. Chamomile adds a light, apple-like floral sweetness, while lavender contributes a gentle, soothing aroma.

Add a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers or a few lavender buds to your tea ball along with the lemon balm.

Valerian Root for Enhanced Relaxation

Valerian root is well-known for its sedative properties and can be paired with lemon balm for a potent brew that promotes deep, restful sleep. This is not a flavor addition for everyone, as valerian has a distinct earthy taste, but it is highly effective for those seeking a natural sleep aid. For best results, use a smaller amount of valerian root as it can be quite strong.

Fruit and Citrus Enhancements

To bring out the natural citrus flavor of the lemon balm, incorporating fruits and extra citrus elements is a surefire way to brighten the tea. These additions are particularly refreshing when served iced.

Fresh Lemon, Lime, or Orange

Adding fresh citrus slices or a squeeze of juice is the most classic enhancement. Lemon, lime, or orange peel can be steeped with the tea to add a more pronounced zesty flavor. A simple slice of lemon as a garnish also makes for a pleasant aesthetic touch.

Berries and Apple

For a naturally sweet and fruity tea, try adding fresh or frozen berries during the steeping process. Blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries work wonderfully, adding a touch of tartness and a beautiful color. Apple slices can also be steeped for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Spices for a Warming Kick

Spices can add warmth, depth, and a host of health benefits to your lemon balm tea, making it perfect for a cold day or when you feel a cold coming on.

Ginger and Turmeric

Freshly sliced or grated ginger root can add a spicy, warming quality to the brew, great for soothing a sore throat or aiding digestion. Adding a pinch of turmeric can further boost the anti-inflammatory properties of the tea, and a dash of black pepper can increase turmeric's absorption.

Cinnamon and Cayenne Pepper

For an invigorating, spiced brew, consider adding a cinnamon stick during steeping. This pairs well with a fruity blend. For a truly unique and fiery experience, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper can be added.

Sweetening Options and Extracts

If the natural sweetness of lemon balm isn't enough, there are several ways to sweeten your tea without relying on refined sugar.

Honey and Agave

Raw honey is a classic companion for herbal tea and offers a smooth, natural sweetness that complements the lemon balm beautifully. Infusing honey with lemon balm or mint in advance can create a powerful flavor enhancer for later use. Agave syrup is another natural option for a vegan alternative.

Lemon Balm Simple Syrup

To have a pre-mixed sweetener on hand, create a lemon balm simple syrup. This can be drizzled into both hot and iced teas for a consistent, potent flavor boost.

Comparison of Lemon Balm Tea Additions


Addition	Flavor Profile	Primary Benefit	Best For	Preparation Tip
Mint	Cool, invigorating	Digestive aid	Soothing stomach issues	Bruise leaves before steeping
Chamomile	Light, floral, sweet	Promotes relaxation	Bedtime tea	Combine with lavender
Ginger	Spicy, warming	Anti-inflammatory	Cold and flu relief	Use fresh slices or grated root
Berries	Tart, fruity, sweet	Vitamin C boost	Iced summer tea	Add fresh or frozen berries
Honey	Natural, smooth sweetness	Soothing, antibacterial	Anytime sweetness	Add while tea is warm to dissolve
Orange Peel	Zesty, citrusy	Antioxidant boost	Morning or afternoon tea	Steep a small piece of organic peel
Cayenne	Fiery, spicy	Metabolism boost	Unique, warming brew	Add just a tiny pinch

Brewing Techniques and Tea Blends

To get the most out of your lemon balm and its additions, consider these brewing techniques.

Hot or Cold Brew

Lemon balm tea is excellent both hot and cold. For a hot brew, steep fresh leaves and any additions in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. For a refreshing iced tea, a longer steep is recommended. Let the tea cool before refrigerating, and then serve over ice.

Blending with Green or Black Tea

While lemon balm is naturally caffeine-free, you can add it to green or black tea for a caffeinated version with a citrusy twist. Green tea blends particularly well with mint and lemon balm, creating an energizing yet balanced cup.

Conclusion

Lemon balm tea is an incredibly versatile and healthy beverage that serves as a fantastic base for customization. Whether you are looking to enhance its natural calming effects, add a burst of fruity flavor, or warm up with a spicy kick, the options are virtually endless. By experimenting with different herbal, fruity, and spiced additions, you can transform a simple cup of tea into a personalized and therapeutic treat. The key is to explore and find the combinations that best suit your taste and wellness goals. Always use fresh or properly dried ingredients for the best results and enjoy the journey of crafting your unique brew.

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs Blog on Lemon Balm Combinations

Frequently Asked Questions

Raw honey is a popular choice for sweetening lemon balm tea, as its natural flavor complements the herbal notes. Agave nectar or a simple lemon balm syrup are also excellent alternatives. Add your sweetener while the tea is warm to ensure it dissolves completely.

Yes, many herbs pair well with lemon balm. Mint, chamomile, lavender, and valerian root are common choices that can be added to create new flavor profiles and therapeutic effects. Chamomile and lavender, for example, can enhance the tea's relaxing properties.

To intensify the citrus flavor, add fresh slices of lemon or lime to your brew while steeping. You can also add a small strip of orange peel for a more complex, bright aroma. For an extra kick, squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice into the finished tea.

Yes, lemon balm is well-regarded for its calming properties and ability to reduce anxiety, which can promote better sleep. Combining it with other relaxing herbs like chamomile or valerian root can further enhance its sedative effects.

Warming spices such as fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, or a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper can be added to lemon balm tea. Ginger and cinnamon are excellent for soothing the digestive system and offering a comforting, spicy note.

Yes, frozen berries are a great addition to lemon balm tea. They add a fruity, slightly tart flavor and beautiful color, and work well for both hot and iced preparations. Blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all excellent options.

You can use either fresh or dried lemon balm leaves for tea. If using fresh leaves, use about twice the amount as dried for a comparable flavor intensity. Harvesting fresh leaves before the plant flowers often yields the most potent flavor.