The jasmine tea recipe
for your table
Put the jasmine pearls in a clear glass or a jug. Two grams is enough for 20 cl; the pearls open in the water and become several times larger.
Let boiled water cool to 75 to 85 degrees, or mix in a splash of cold water. The base is green tea, which requires water below boiling point.
Pour the water over them and let the tea steep for two to three minutes. You can watch: as soon as the pearls have unfurled and the water turns light yellow, it's ready.
Pour out the tea or remove the pearls. You can steep the same leaves a second and often a third time, adding half a minute to the steeping time each time.
What did you think of this recipe?
One click on a star is enough. If you'd like to add something, we'll read it first before it appears here.
Save this recipe
Send the jasmine tea recipe to your own email, so you have it to hand when you are ready to make it. You will also receive a € 5 discount code when spending € 50, for the glasses that go with it.
The story
Jasmine tea starts as ordinary green tea. The scenting happens afterwards: the dry leaves are layered with fresh jasmine blossoms, the blossoms open at night and the leaves absorb their fragrance. The next day, the blossoms are removed and the process starts again with fresh blossoms, sometimes for several nights in a row. The more often this happens, the more pronounced the fragrance becomes in the leaves. For jasmine pearls, the leaves are then hand-rolled into small balls that open up again in water. So in most jasmine teas, you will not find any flower petals, only the fragrance.
The right glass
Watching the pearls open is half the fun, so you want a glass you can see through. A double-walled tea glass does two things at once: the colour remains clearly visible and the outside stays cool enough to hold. If you choose a larger glass, tempered glass with a handle is more practical, as it leaves room for the pearls to unfurl. More models can be found among the double-walled glasses.
Luigi Bormioli Thermic Glass Tea Glass 22 cl (2 pieces)
Pasabahce Hill Tea Glass 42 cl (2 pieces)
Both sets together € 33,90.
The right tools
For jasmine tea, use a cocktail strainer alongside the glass to keep the pearls in the pot when pouring, and a long bar spoon that reaches the bottom of a tall glass. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 2 bar tools together € 48,85.
Which drink goes with it?
Jasmine tea is best enjoyed neat. If you want to make it into a long drink, its floral notes pair well with Tanqueray and limoncello. On each drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it works well in, and which glass you need.
Variations & twists
Without pearls, you can use loose jasmine leaves; they infuse more quickly, so keep it to two minutes. Cold-brewed, jasmine tea becomes a clear iced tea: place the pearls in cold water, refrigerate overnight, then strain. Honey makes it rounder, while a slice of lemon makes the floral side more pronounced. Looking for more inspiration? Browse more than 100 cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Pour into a clear glass and place it on the table before the pearls have fully opened, so everyone can watch. Keep the water at 75 to 85 degrees and only make the second infusion once the first glass is empty. For a pot, a teapot with a filter from the teapots collection is handy.
Good to know
How does scenting work?
Dry green tea leaves are layered with fresh jasmine blossoms. The blossoms open at night and the leaves absorb their fragrance. The blossoms are then removed, and the process can be repeated with fresh blossoms, sometimes for several nights in a row.
What are jasmine pearls?
Scented leaves rolled by hand into small balls. In hot water, they unfurl again, allowing you to see how far the tea has steeped. Two grams, approximately one teaspoon, is enough for 20 cl.
Why 75 to 85 degrees?
Jasmine tea is based on green tea, which requires water below boiling point. Let boiled water stand for a few minutes or mix in a splash of cold water to reach the right range.
Why use a clear glass?
Because the pearls open up and the water slowly turns pale yellow, you can see through a clear glass when the tea is ready. In a thick-walled cup or a closed mug, you miss that.
How often can you steep the same leaves?
A second and often a third time. Let each subsequent brew steep for half a minute longer, because the leaves release less quickly than they do the first time.
Does it contain caffeine?
Yes. The base is green tea, which contains caffeine. A shorter steeping time results in less, but jasmine tea is not caffeine-free.
Frequently asked questions
What are jasmine pearls?
Scented green tea leaves rolled by hand into small balls. In water, they unfurl so you can see how far the tea has steeped. Allow two grams per 20 cl glass.
How does jasmine tea get its fragrance?
By scenting: the dry leaves are layered with fresh jasmine blossoms, which open at night and release their fragrance onto the leaves. This is usually repeated for several nights in a row with fresh blossoms.
What water temperature should you use for jasmine tea?
75 to 85 degrees. The base is green tea, so boiling water is too hot; let it stand for a few minutes or mix in cold water.
How long should you steep jasmine tea?
Two to three minutes for pearls and about two minutes for loose leaves. Then pour it into another vessel or remove the leaves so the tea does not become bitter.
Everything for your bar,
at one address
Glasses in hospitality quality, supplied per set. Order today, delivered quickly.
Shop the glasses →