Clove tea is a simple, warming herbal infusion made by steeping whole cloves in hot water. It has a naturally bold, spicy, slightly sweet flavor and a wonderfully aromatic fragrance.

With just a few ingredients, you can prepare a comforting cup in minutes. Clove tea can be enjoyed on its own or combined with ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, lemon, or honey for additional flavor.

Because cloves have a powerful flavor, you only need a small amount to make a satisfying cup.

Why We Love This Recipe

This recipe is wonderfully simple.

It requires only a handful of ingredients and can be prepared without any specialized equipment. The warm, spicy aroma makes it particularly enjoyable during cooler weather, while lemon or ginger can give it a brighter, fresher character.

Another reason to love clove tea is its versatility. You can make a mild infusion for a subtle clove flavor or steep it a little longer for a stronger, more aromatic cup.

Most importantly, this is a recipe where a little goes a long way. Whole cloves are intensely flavorful, so you do not need to use a large quantity.

Ingredients

For One Serving

• 4 to 5 whole cloves
• 1½ cups water
• 1 teaspoon honey, optional
• 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, optional
• 1 small piece fresh ginger, optional
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick, optional

How to Make Clove Tea

Step 1: Prepare the Cloves

Measure 4 to 5 whole cloves.

Whole cloves are preferable for this recipe because they are easy to remove after steeping and provide a clean, aromatic infusion.

There is no need to grind the cloves.

Grinding them can make the tea more difficult to strain and can produce an especially intense flavor.

Step 2: Heat the Water

Pour 1½ cups of water into a small saucepan.

Bring the water to a gentle boil.

Once the water is hot, reduce the heat.

Step 3: Add the Cloves

Add the whole cloves to the hot water.

If you are adding ginger or cinnamon, add them at this stage as well.

Allow the mixture to simmer gently for approximately 5 minutes.

Avoid aggressively boiling the cloves for a long period because this can produce an overly strong and bitter infusion.

Step 4: Let It Steep

After simmering, turn off the heat.

Cover the saucepan and allow the cloves to steep for another 5 minutes.

This gives the water additional time to absorb the cloves’ aroma and flavor.

Step 5: Strain

Place a fine tea strainer over a cup.

Pour the tea through the strainer, removing all the cloves and any pieces of ginger or cinnamon.

Take care when pouring because the tea will be very hot.

Step 6: Add Lemon or Honey

Allow the tea to cool slightly.

Add honey if you prefer a sweeter drink.

Add fresh lemon juice for a brighter flavor.

You can use both honey and lemon together.

Stir well and serve warm.

The Best Clove-to-Water Ratio

Cloves have a very concentrated flavor, so the quantity matters.

For one large cup, start with:

4 to 5 whole cloves + 1½ cups water

For a milder tea, use 3 cloves.

For a stronger infusion, you can use 5 to 6 cloves, but there is generally little reason to use a very large quantity.

If the tea tastes bitter or excessively strong, reduce the number of cloves or shorten the steeping time.

How Long Should Clove Tea Steep?

The ideal time depends on your preferred strength.

3 to 5 Minutes

Produces a lighter clove flavor.

5 to 10 Minutes

Creates a stronger and more aromatic cup.

More Than 10 Minutes

The flavor can become quite intense and may develop more bitterness.

For everyday preparation, approximately 5 to 10 minutes is a good range.

Clove Tea with Ginger

Ginger and cloves create a particularly warming combination.

Ingredients

• 4 whole cloves
• 3 to 4 thin slices fresh ginger
• 1½ cups water
• 1 teaspoon honey, optional
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

Method

Add the ginger and cloves to the water.

Bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat.

Cover and steep for another 5 minutes.

Strain.

Add honey or lemon according to taste.

The ginger gives the tea a fresh, spicy warmth that balances the deeper flavor of the cloves.

Clove and Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon adds a naturally sweet and woody aroma.

Ingredients

• 4 whole cloves
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1½ cups water
• Honey, optional

Method

Place the cloves and cinnamon in a saucepan with the water.

Bring to a gentle simmer.

Cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Turn off the heat.

Cover and allow the tea to steep for another 5 minutes.

Strain and serve warm.

Because both cloves and cinnamon are strong spices, you do not need large quantities of either.

Clove, Lemon and Honey Tea

For a brighter version, prepare the basic clove tea.

After straining, add:

• 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey

Stir thoroughly.

The lemon adds acidity and freshness, while honey softens the intense spice flavor of the cloves.

Clove Tea with Black Tea

If you want a caffeinated spiced tea, you can combine cloves with black tea.

Ingredients

• 3 whole cloves
• 1 black tea bag or 1 teaspoon loose black tea
• 1½ cups water
• Milk, optional
• Honey or sugar, optional

Method

Simmer the cloves in water for approximately 4 minutes.

Turn off the heat.

Add the black tea.

Steep according to the instructions for your tea, generally for several minutes.

Remove the tea and cloves.

Add milk and sweetener if desired.

This produces a spiced tea with a much stronger tea flavor than a simple clove infusion.

Clove Tea with Cardamom

For a more aromatic spice blend, add one lightly crushed green cardamom pod to the basic recipe.

Combine:

• 4 cloves
• 1 cardamom pod
• 1½ cups water

Simmer for approximately 5 minutes.

Cover and steep for another 5 minutes.

Strain before serving.

The cardamom adds a floral, slightly citrusy aroma that complements the cloves beautifully.

Tips for Making the Best Clove Tea

Use Whole Cloves

Whole cloves are easier to measure and strain.

They also allow you to control the strength more easily.

Do Not Use Too Many Cloves

Cloves are intensely aromatic.

Using a large quantity can make the tea unpleasantly strong.

Start with 3 to 4 cloves if you are new to the drink.

Do Not Overboil

A gentle simmer is enough.

Long, aggressive boiling can make the infusion harsh.

Cover While Steeping

Covering the tea while it rests helps retain its aroma.

Add Lemon After Straining

Adding lemon after the tea has been prepared gives you more control over the final flavor.

Taste Before Sweetening

Cloves have a naturally slightly sweet and warming character.

Taste the tea first, then decide whether you actually need honey or another sweetener.

Can You Use Ground Cloves?

You can, but whole cloves are generally better for this preparation.

Ground cloves are much more concentrated and can make the tea cloudy and difficult to strain.

If you only have ground cloves, use a very small amount and strain the tea through a very fine filter.

Can Clove Tea Be Served Cold?

Yes.

Prepare the tea normally.

Allow it to cool.

Refrigerate it in a covered container.

Serve over ice with lemon.

You can also add a small amount of fresh mint for a refreshing variation.

How to Make a Larger Batch

For approximately 4 servings, use:

• 16 to 20 whole cloves
• 6 cups water
• Honey, optional
• Lemon, optional

Bring the water and cloves to a gentle simmer.

Cook for approximately 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat and cover.

Steep for another 5 minutes.

Strain.

Serve warm or allow it to cool and refrigerate.

Storage

Freshly prepared clove tea is best enjoyed soon after making it.

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool appropriately and refrigerate them in a clean, covered container.

Reheat gently when ready to drink.

Do not leave prepared tea at room temperature for an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clove tea contain caffeine?

Pure clove tea made from cloves and water is naturally caffeine-free.

If you combine cloves with black or green tea, however, the finished beverage will contain caffeine.

Does clove tea taste sweet?

Clove tea has a naturally warm, aromatic flavor with slightly sweet and spicy notes, but it is not actually sweet like a sweetened beverage.

Honey can be added if you prefer a sweeter drink.

Can I drink clove tea every day?

Cloves are commonly used as a culinary spice, but concentrated clove preparations can provide substantially more clove compounds than normal food use.

If you are considering drinking strong clove tea regularly or in large amounts, particularly if you take medication, have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a bleeding disorder, discuss it with a healthcare professional first.

Can children drink clove tea?

Children can be more sensitive to concentrated herbal and spice preparations. For young children, especially infants and toddlers, consult a pediatric healthcare professional before giving clove tea.

Can I make clove tea with milk?

Yes, particularly if you combine cloves with black tea.

For a simple clove infusion, however, water allows the clove’s aroma to come through more clearly.

Is clove tea the same as chai?

No.

Clove tea is simply an infusion centered around cloves.

Chai is generally a spiced tea preparation that can include black tea, milk, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and other spices.

Nutrition Information

Pure clove tea contains very few calories because the cloves are removed before drinking. The exact nutritional values vary depending on how much clove is used and whether honey or other ingredients are added.

Approximate nutrition for one serving of unsweetened clove tea:

Nutrient	Per Serving
Calories	3 kcal
Protein	0.1 g
Total Fat	0.1 g
Saturated Fat	0 g
Carbohydrates	0.7 g
Dietary Fiber	0.3 g
Total Sugars	0 g
Sodium	1 mg
Cholesterol	0 mg
Potassium	15 mg
Calcium	8 mg
Iron	0.1 mg