Yerba Mate with Lemon Basil: Hot or Iced Brewing Guide
By Sourced. Blended. Shared. LMTC | Lake Missoula Tea Co. | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to brew Yerba Lemon Basil hot or iced, with water temperatures, steep times, and a simple ratio that keeps the lemon and basil notes bright.
Quick answer
Brew Yerba Lemon Basil at about 175°F (80°C) for 3 to 4 minutes for a hot cup, or steep it at the same temperature and pour it over ice for an iced version. Use one rounded teaspoon of leaf per 8 ounces of water and taste before adding anything.
Why this blend needs a cooler pour than plain mate
Yerba Lemon Basil combines green tea and yerba maté with botanicals such as lemon myrtle, lemongrass, Krishna basil, rose petals, and elderflower. Green tea and the floral ingredients turn bitter or dull when hit with fully boiling water, so a moderate temperature protects the lemon counterpoint and the peppery, minty accents.
If you normally brew plain yerba maté with near-boiling water, treat this blend differently. The goal is a pick-me-up cup where the grassy-musky-floral undertone sits under the citrus, not a scorched, astringent drink.
Hot versus iced: what changes and what doesn't
The leaf-to-water ratio and water temperature stay the same whether you serve the cup hot or cold. What changes is the steep time and the dilution. For iced tea, steep slightly longer to build flavor, then pour over plenty of ice and account for the melt.
A hot brew shows the lemongrass sweetness and rose petals most clearly. An iced version pushes the lemon myrtle and basil forward and makes the mate base feel lighter. Neither method needs sugar to be enjoyable, but a little honey suits the hot cup.
Step-by-step: brewing Yerba Lemon Basil
- Measure the leaf: Add one rounded teaspoon of Yerba Lemon Basil per 8 ounces (240 ml) of water to an infuser or gourd. For a stronger iced batch, use 1½ teaspoons per 8 ounces. Spoon the leaf loosely; packing the infuser restricts the botanicals from opening up.
- Heat the water to 175°F (80°C): Bring water to a boil, then let it rest for 3 to 4 minutes before pouring. If you have a thermometer, confirm the temperature before it touches the leaf. Never pour actively boiling water onto this blend; the green tea will turn harsh.
- Steep 3 to 4 minutes for hot: Pour the water over the leaf and steep for 3 minutes, then taste. Add up to one more minute if you want more body from the maté. Set a timer; past 5 minutes the cup turns bitter and the lemon fades.
- Steep 5 minutes for iced: For an iced yerba mate recipe, steep the same ratio for 5 minutes at 175°F, then strain immediately over a full glass of ice. Stir once so the melting ice dilutes evenly. Do not pour hot tea over a small amount of ice; the drink will be weak and lukewarm.
- Taste before sweetening: Sip the plain cup first. The lemongrass and rose petals already add sweetness, so add honey or lemon only if the cup still feels flat. If the tea tastes bitter, shorten the next steep rather than adding sugar.
About this blend
- Yerba Lemon Basil: Yerba Lemon Basil blends green tea with yerba maté and botanicals including lemon myrtle, lemongrass, Krishna basil, rose petals, and elderflower. Because green tea is in the mix, keep the water below boiling so the lemon and basil notes stay clear instead of turning bitter.
Yerba Lemon Basil
