
This Spruce Tea is a valuable source of vitamin C and it can help strengthen your immune system during cold and flu season. And the addition of honey, cinnamon, and orange makes it Christmassy, too!
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Hello, folks – how are you? I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for another week.
And today, I am excited to share a recipe that is perfect for the cold time of the year, as well as the holiday season.
Did you know you can use spruce tips to make a hearty and healthy drink?
Spruce Tea
Yes, that’s right.
Tea from spruce tips has a refreshing, bright, citrus-like flavour profile. I would say, it has something from rosemary and cardamom, too. Also, this tea has a slight natural sweetness that pairs well with honey, lemon, orange, cinnamon, and some other flavours.
Ideally, you should harvest young tips in the springtime – that’s when they are particularly delicate and fragrant. But you can enjoy this tea all year round; just try picking the smallest and freshest tips. “Matured” tips are safe to consume, and they are equally tasty, but they have a stronger, more potent and less citrusy flavour.
You can use fir and pine needles, too!
It is super easy to make this tea. Just collect and rinse the tips. Then boil some water, add the tips and let steep for a while. Sweeten to taste and add other additions like orange or lemon (or maybe a splash of triple sec or brandy), and enjoy!
And if you are looking for something warm to enjoy around the holidays, be sure to check Mulled Orange Brandy (Hot Christmas Brandy), too.
Health Benefits and Side Effects
As mentioned before, it is safe to consume spruce tips. In fact, they have many health benefits. For starters, they are high in vitamin C, so this tea can boost your immune system and help during cold and flu season. Spruce tips can also soothe sore throat and can help with lung congestion and whooping cough.
However, please keep in mind that if you are allergic to conifers, you should avoid drinking this tea. If you’re new to spruce or pine needle tea, it’s best to start with small amounts to see how your body reacts.
I hope you like this tea, and that you will give this recipe a try. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me anΒ InstagramΒ message or share your photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
Cheers!


Spruce Tea
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy2-3
servings40
minutesThis Spruce Tea is a valuable source of vitamin C and it can help strengthen your immune system during cold and flu season. And the addition of honey, cinnamon, and orange makes it Christmassy, too!
Ingredients
a handful (20-30 gr.) of spruce (also pine or fir) tips, preferably young, light-green colour – rinsed
2 cups water
1 small cinnamon stick (optional)
few orange slices (optional)
honey, to taste (optional)
Directions
- Bring fresh water to a boil.
- Add the rinsed spruce tips and cinnamon (if using) to a pot, cover, and let stay to steep for about 15 minutes.
- Try and dilute with more boiled water, if the taste is too strong. Pour through a tea strainer and discard the tips.
- Add the orange and honey, if desired and to taste – and enjoy!

Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
Spruce Tea, with its vibrant citrus-like flavor and hints of rosemary and cardamom, is not only a festive choice for the holiday season but also a healthful one. Rich in vitamin C, itβs an excellent beverage to boost the immune system and soothe sore throats during the cold months. Adding natural sweeteners and spices like honey, cinnamon, and orange not only enhances the flavor but also complements the tea’s health benefits, making it a delightful and beneficial winter drink.
John Gatesby recently posted…SARS-CoV-2 infection [COVID-19]
Well knock me over with a feather, as the saying goes. I would have never imagined you could make tea from spruce needles. Now I’m going to hunt for a nearby tree…
I’ve been battling a cold for about 3 weeks now, and this tea sounds amazing! Perfect timing, Ben…and it’s so festive for the holiday season, too!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Bourbon Bread Pudding
I’m tempted to go get a clipping from my Christmas π, but there’s no way to know how natural it is. Best I’m sure to get a clipping from a wild tree. Sounds delicious π!
What an interesting drink! I would love to try one :-)
angiesrecipes recently posted…Spelt Rose Buns
Ooooh I’ve never had spruce tea but now I’m intrigued! What a fantastic way to boost immune system, especially during this time of year (cough, cough!)
I love how nature can heal!
Tandy (Lavender and Lime) recently posted…The Boyfriend, Freida McFadden