Meadow Tea Recipe (Old-Fashioned Mint Iced Tea – Amish Style)

Meadow Tea is a sweet, minty iced tea made the old-fashioned way—fresh spearmint leaves steeped into a cooling, fragrant drink. Common in Amish and Mennonite communities, it’s the perfect summer beverage: soothing, natural, and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh spearmint leaves (loosely packed, stems included)
• 8 cups water
• ¾ to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• Optional: lemon slices or honey for extra flavor

Directions

1. Boil the Water
2. Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
3. Steep the Mint
4. Add fresh spearmint to the boiling water, cover, and remove from heat. Let steep for 15–20 minutes.
5. Strain & Sweeten
6. Strain out the mint leaves. Stir in sugar while the tea is still warm until fully dissolved.
7. Chill the Tea
8. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until cold.
9. Serve Cold
10. Serve over ice with lemon slices or mint sprigs for garnish.