How to Make Rose Petal Tea (Drying Roses at Home)
Rose petal tea is a fragrant, caffeine-free infusion made by steeping dried or fresh edible rose petals in hot water. You can dry your own petals at home by air drying, using a low oven, or a dehydrator, then store them for tea all year. Use only fragrant roses that have not been sprayed, since the petals are also a gentle source of antioxidants.
Every rose season I dry a big jar of petals so I can make this delicate tea through the colder months. It is soft, floral, and naturally soothing, with a pale golden color. Drying your own petals is simple and means you know exactly what is in your cup.
This Recipe Works If You Need
- A caffeine-free, calming floral tea
- A way to preserve fragrant roses from the garden
- A simple home method for drying rose petals
- A naturally vegan, sugar-free drink
Why You’ll Love Rose Petal Tea
- Caffeine-free. A gentle drink for any time of day or evening.
- From your own roses. Dry the petals yourself and know exactly what is in the cup.
- Delicate and floral. Soft, fragrant, and naturally beautiful.
- Keeps for months. Dried petals store well all year.
Choosing and Harvesting Roses
Use only fragrant, edible roses that have not been treated with pesticides. Damask roses (Rosa damascena) are the classic choice for tea. Pick the petals in the morning after the dew has dried, choosing fresh, fully open blooms. Learn more about edible roses and how to grow them.
How to Dry Rose Petals
- Air drying: spread the petals in a single layer on a tray or screen, out of direct sun, for 1 to 2 weeks until papery.
- Oven: spread on a lined tray and dry at the lowest setting (about 175°F) with the door slightly open for 1 to 2 hours.
- Dehydrator: dry at 95 to 105°F for 2 to 4 hours until crisp.
- Store: keep fully dried petals in an airtight jar away from light.
How to Brew Rose Petal Tea
Place about 1 tablespoon of dried petals (or 2 tablespoons fresh) in a cup or teapot, pour over just-boiled water, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with a little honey if you like. Full amounts are in the recipe card below.
Tips and Variations
- Cover while steeping. It keeps the fragrant oils in the cup.
- Add a flavor. A slice of lemon, a little honey, or a few mint leaves all pair well.
- Blend it. Mix dried rose with green tea or chamomile for a custom blend.
- Iced version: brew stronger, cool, and serve over ice.
Storage
- Dried petals: store in an airtight jar away from light for up to 12 months.
- Keep them dry: any moisture can cause mold, so make sure they are fully crisp first.
Have extra petals? Turn them into rose petal jam or browse more rose recipes and desserts.
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Rose Petal Tea
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp dried edible rose petals or 2 tbsp fresh, pesticide-free
- 1 cup just-boiled water
- Honey or lemon optional, to taste
Instructions
- To dry petals: spread fragrant, pesticide-free rose petals in a single layer and air dry 1 to 2 weeks, oven dry at the lowest setting for 1 to 2 hours, or dehydrate at 95 to 105°F for 2 to 4 hours until crisp.
- Store the dried petals in an airtight jar away from light.
- To brew: place the petals in a cup or teapot and pour over just-boiled water.
- Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain, then add honey or lemon to taste if you like.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Use fragrant, edible roses that have not been sprayed with pesticides. Damask roses (Rosa damascena) are the classic choice, but any strongly scented garden rose works. The more fragrant the petals, the better the tea.
You can air dry them on a tray for 1 to 2 weeks, dry them in a low oven at about 175°F for 1 to 2 hours, or use a dehydrator at 95 to 105°F for 2 to 4 hours. The petals should be crisp and papery before storing.
No. Rose petal tea is a herbal infusion made only from rose petals and water, so it is naturally caffeine-free and can be enjoyed any time, including the evening.
Rose petal tea is delicate and floral, lightly sweet, with a soft aroma. The flavor depends on the roses you use, so fragrant varieties give the most noticeable rose taste.
Stored in an airtight jar away from light, fully dried rose petals keep for up to 12 months. Make sure they are completely crisp before storing, as any moisture can cause mold.
Yes. Use about twice as many fresh petals as dried, since fresh ones are less concentrated. Rinse them well, steep in just-boiled water for 5 minutes, and strain.
