How to Make Clove Tea

To make clove tea, steep 1–2 whole cloves in 240 ml (8 fl oz) of freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes, then strain and serve warm. Start with one clove per cup because clove has a powerful, spicy flavor; for routine drinking, one cup at a time and no more than one or two cups per day is a sensible beverage limit for most healthy adults.

Clove tea is a water infusion made from dried clove buds, not clove essential oil. The safest everyday version uses a small culinary quantity, a short steep, and no concentrated extracts.

What you need

• 1–2 whole dried cloves per 240 ml (8 fl oz) of water
• Freshly boiled water
• A mug, teapot, or heatproof measuring jug
• A tea strainer or fine-mesh sieve
• Optional: lemon, cinnamon, ginger, honey, or a small amount of milk

Whole cloves are easier to measure and strain than ground cloves. Choose dry, intact buds with a strong aroma. A dull smell, excessive dust, dampness, or visible mold indicates that the cloves should be discarded.

How to make clove tea step by step

1. Measure the cloves. Use 1 clove for a mild cup, 2 cloves for a more pronounced cup, or 3 cloves for a strong occasional serving. The reason to begin conservatively is that clove’s flavor becomes bitter and numbing when over-extracted.
2. Measure the water. Use 240 ml (8 fl oz) for each serving. For a teapot, use 480 ml (16 fl oz) and 2–4 cloves rather than adding several cloves to a small cup.
3. Boil the water. Bring the water to a full boil, then pour it over the cloves. Pouring boiling water directly over the buds extracts flavor without requiring prolonged cooking.
4. Cover and steep for 5–10 minutes. Covering the mug helps retain the aromatic compounds that give clove tea its warm scent. Five minutes produces a lighter cup; 8–10 minutes produces a fuller, spicier cup.
5. Strain before drinking. Remove the cloves with a sieve or tea infuser. Do not chew large quantities of steeped cloves, since they can be intensely spicy and irritating to the mouth.
6. Adjust the cup after tasting. Add hot water if it is too strong, or add a small amount of honey, lemon, or milk. Avoid correcting an over-steeped cup by adding a large amount of sweetener; dilution usually gives a cleaner flavor.

Safe clove-to-water measurements

The table below gives practical beverage proportions rather than medicinal doses. Clove tea is not a standardized treatment, and the amount of eugenol extracted into water varies with the age, size, and grinding of the cloves, as well as the steeping time.

For a concrete example, use 2 whole cloves with 480 ml of boiled water, cover the pot, steep for 8 minutes, and divide the strained tea into two 240 ml servings. This gives each cup the equivalent of one clove, which is a mild-to-standard everyday preparation.

Whole cloves versus ground cloves

Whole cloves are the better choice for most people because they release flavor more gradually and can be removed completely. They also make it easier to repeat a recipe accurately: two buds per cup is more consistent than estimating a loose mound of powder.

Ground cloves produce a stronger taste more quickly, but some powder remains suspended in the drink and can create a gritty texture. If using ground cloves, begin with 1/8 teaspoon per 240 ml, steep for about 5 minutes, and filter through a fine sieve. Do not substitute clove essential oil for either whole or ground cloves. Essential oil is highly concentrated and is not an appropriate ingredient for a casual cup of tea.

Flavor variations that keep the clove balanced

Clove and cinnamon

Add one small piece of cinnamon stick to 480 ml of water with 2–4 cloves. Steep for 8–10 minutes. Cinnamon rounds out clove’s sharpness and creates a familiar chai-like flavor. A cinnamon stick is preferable to a large quantity of ground cinnamon because it is easier to strain.

Clove, ginger, and lemon

Add two thin slices of fresh ginger to 240 ml of water with one clove. Steep for 7 minutes, strain, and add lemon after the tea has cooled slightly. Adding lemon at the end preserves its fresh flavor and allows you to control the acidity.

Clove and black tea

Prepare clove tea with one clove per 240 ml, then add one black-tea bag for the final 3–4 minutes. This gives the drink a deeper, more tannic profile, but it also adds caffeine. If you are sensitive to caffeine, use decaffeinated black tea or leave the tea bag out.

Clove with honey

Stir in 1 teaspoon of honey after straining, once the drink is comfortably warm. Honey is optional and mainly changes sweetness and texture; it does not make a stronger clove infusion safer. Honey should not be given to children under 12 months.

Cold-steeped clove tea

For a cooler drink, steep 2 cloves in 480 ml of hot water for 8 minutes, strain, cool, and refrigerate promptly. Serve over ice within 24 hours. Cold-steeping whole cloves directly in room-temperature water is slower and less predictable, so the hot-infusion method is easier to control.

How much clove tea should you drink?

For a healthy adult drinking it as a culinary beverage, one 240 ml cup is a reasonable starting serving. If it agrees with you, some people may choose up to two cups in a day, prepared with no more than 1–2 cloves per cup. There is no universally established therapeutic serving or schedule for clove tea, so stronger and more frequent use should not be treated as automatically better.

A practical routine is to drink one cup occasionally or once daily, rather than continuously consuming concentrated tea throughout the day. Avoid making a large batch with a handful of cloves and drinking it as a substitute for water. If the drink causes mouth irritation, nausea, stomach discomfort, dizziness, or an unusual reaction, stop using it.

Who should use extra caution?

Clove tea is a food-style infusion, but clove contains active aromatic compounds, including eugenol. Concentrated clove products can present different risks from a mild cup of tea.

• Children: Do not give concentrated clove tea or clove preparations to children without advice from a pediatric professional. Keep cloves and especially clove oil away from children.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Culinary amounts used in food are different from concentrated or medicinal use. Ask a qualified healthcare professional before drinking strong clove tea regularly.
• Bleeding disorders or upcoming surgery: Ask a clinician before using clove frequently or in concentrated forms, particularly if you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication.
• Liver disease or multiple medications: Discuss regular use with a healthcare professional because concentrated herbal products can interact with medicines or place additional demands on the body.
• Allergy or mouth sensitivity: Stop if you develop rash, swelling, breathing difficulty, burning, or persistent irritation. Breathing difficulty or facial swelling requires urgent medical attention.

Do not apply clove oil to the mouth or swallow it as a stronger version of tea. Oil is far more concentrated than an infusion and can be harmful if misused. If you are using clove for a specific symptom rather than enjoying the flavor, consult a healthcare professional instead of escalating the dose.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Using too many cloves: More than 2 cloves per 240 ml often makes the drink harsh. Dilute an overly strong cup with hot water rather than adding more sweetener.
• Boiling the cloves for a long time: Extended boiling can produce a bitter, aggressive infusion. Steeping for 5–10 minutes is easier to control.
• Leaving the cloves in the mug: The tea continues extracting while it sits. Strain at the end of the chosen steeping time.
• Confusing essential oil with tea: Never add drops of clove oil to drinking water as a homemade dosage method.
• Storing tea too long: Refrigerate leftover tea in a covered container and use it within 24 hours. Discard it if it develops an off smell, cloudiness, or fermentation.
• Ignoring the quality of the cloves: Store whole cloves in an airtight container away from heat, light, and moisture. Replace them when their aroma becomes faint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make clove tea with ground cloves?

Yes. Use about 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves per 240 ml (8 fl oz) of boiled water and steep for approximately 5 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve because some powder will remain in the drink.

How long should clove tea steep?

Steep whole cloves for 5–10 minutes. Five minutes gives a lighter cup, while 8–10 minutes gives a stronger flavor; steeping substantially longer can make the tea bitter and numbing.

Can I drink clove tea every day?

For a healthy adult, one mild cup prepared with 1–2 cloves may be reasonable as a beverage. Regular use of strong tea, large quantities, or concentrated clove products has not been established as a universally safe routine, so ask a healthcare professional if you plan to drink it frequently or take medications.

Is clove tea safe during pregnancy?

A small amount of clove used in food is not the same as concentrated clove tea or clove supplements. Because safety can depend on the strength, frequency, and individual circumstances, consult a qualified healthcare professional before drinking strong clove tea regularly during pregnancy.

Can I drink clove tea before bed?

Plain clove tea contains no caffeine, so it may suit an evening routine. However, adding black tea will introduce caffeine, and the spicy flavor may cause discomfort for some people. Try a small, mild cup first rather than a highly concentrated infusion.

How long does homemade clove tea last?

For best quality, drink it while warm. If saving it, cool it promptly, cover it, refrigerate it, and use it within 24 hours; discard it if its smell, appearance, or taste changes.