Guayusa blends beautifully with garden herbs. A few fresh mint leaves, a stalk of lemongrass or a spoon of chamomile turn your everyday cup into something new, hot in winter or iced in summer. Here are nine easy recipes, each with the guayusa we recommend for the best flavor and color.
At a glance
- Hot: steep guayusa and the herb together in boiling water for 5 minutes (cacao nibs, 5–10).
- Iced: steep 8–10 minutes, cool and pour over ice.
- Traditional for bold flavors, Golden for soft ones, Green for delicate herbs.
- The herbs add flavor; the caffeine comes from the guayusa (roughly 41–82 mg per cup).
Start here: everything about the leaf, from taste to caffeine to brewing, is in our complete guayusa tea guide.
Which guayusa for which herb?
| Guayusa | Why | Recipes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional (rich & bold, deep amber) | Stands up to strong flavors | Mint (hot, iced), Cacao nibs (hot, iced) |
| Golden (smooth & mellow, pale gold) | Pairs with soft, golden herbs | Lemongrass (hot), Chamomile (hot, iced) |
| Green (fresh & light; our gentlest in caffeine) | Lets delicate herbs come through | Lemon balm (hot, iced) |
Any guayusa works in any recipe; the pairing is for the best flavor and color.
Hot guayusa herbal teas
- Hot Mint Guayusa Tea (Traditional): fresh mint for a cozy, aromatic cup.
- Hot Lemongrass Guayusa Tea (Golden): a bright, citrusy lift from one stalk.
- Hot Chamomile Guayusa Tea (Golden): soft and floral.
- Hot Lemon Balm Guayusa Tea (Green): light and gently lemony.
- Hot Cacao Nib Guayusa Tea (Traditional): a chocolate aroma with no added sugar.
Iced guayusa herbal teas
- Iced Mint Guayusa (Traditional): cool, minty and full-flavored.
- Iced Chamomile Guayusa (Golden): pale gold and floral.
- Iced Lemon Balm Guayusa (Green): light and fresh.
- Iced Cacao Nib Guayusa (Traditional): chocolate-scented and refreshing.
Tips
- Fresh or dried: fresh herbs give the brightest flavor, but dried chamomile or lemon balm work well too.
- Release the aroma: bruise lemongrass with the back of a knife and clap mint leaves between your hands before brewing.
- No extra caffeine: chamomile, mint, lemongrass and lemon balm add flavor, not caffeine, so your total depends on the guayusa.
Where to get the guayusa
Every recipe works with our guayusa tea bags or loose leaf guayusa. For all brewing methods, see How to Make Guayusa Tea, and for summer drinks, try our Iced Guayusa Recipes With Fresh Fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix guayusa with herbal tea bags?
Yes. Steep one guayusa tea bag together with a chamomile or mint tea bag in 8 oz of boiling water for 5 minutes.
Do the herbs change the caffeine?
No. Mint, chamomile, lemongrass and lemon balm add flavor, not caffeine. The caffeine comes from the guayusa: about 41–82 mg with a Traditional bag, about 66 mg with a 5 g Golden bag or about 44 mg with two Green bags.
Which guayusa is best with herbs?
Traditional for bold herbs like mint, Golden for soft ones like chamomile and lemongrass, and Green for delicate lemon balm. Any of the three works if it's what you have.
Can I use Guayusa Cacao for the cacao recipes?
Our Guayusa Cacao is back in 2027. Until then, these recipes use store-bought cacao nibs with any guayusa.