Name: Vietnamese Herbal Tea (Nước Sâm)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 fresh sugarcane stalk (about 3 lbs), cut into smaller segments; 6 quarts water, boiled sweet corn water, or a combination of both (can sub with a bundle of corn silks); 1 cup dried chrysanthemum flowers; 1 pack fresh pandan leaves (about 4–5 long leaves); 3 dried monk fruits; 1 cup dried jujubes

Description

A refreshing Vietnamese dark and earthy iced herbal tea. Naturally sweet, this traditional cooling drink is made with ingredients valued in traditional medicine for their nourishing properties and is believed to help cool the body, creating a balance of yin and yang.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 fresh sugarcane stalk (about 3 lbs), cut into smaller segments
6 quarts water, boiled sweet corn water, or a combination of both (can sub with a bundle of corn silks)
1 cup dried chrysanthemum flowers
1 pack fresh pandan leaves (about 4-5 long leaves)
3 dried monk fruits
1 cup dried jujubes

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Instructions

Prep the ingredients: Lightly rinse all ingredients under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Cut the sugarcane into smaller segments (peeling is optional) so they fit in the pot. Place the sugarcane segments in a large freezer Ziploc bag or any sturdy plastic bag and give each piece a good whack to break apart the fibers. Crack open the monk fruits to help release their flavor. Tie the pandan leaves into a tight knot. Cut the jujubes in half.
Simmer: Add the prepared ingredients to a large stockpot and pour in the water, boiled sweet corn water, or a combination of both. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 50 minutes to fully extract the earthy, floral flavors and the signature dark color from the ingredients while minimizing evaporation.
Strain: Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the liquid into a large pitcher, discarding the solid ingredients. Taste and adjust the sweetness with additional sugar or syrup if needed.
Storage and serve: Transfer the tea to a large pitcher or individual serving containers and let it chill completely in the refrigerator. To serve, pour the herbal tea over a cup filled with ice and enjoy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Beverage, Drinks, Tea
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Vietnamese