This Thai version of chrysanthemum drink is refreshing and has a really pleasant floral flavor. Made with a few simple ingredients, it's a classic everyone can enjoy on a hot summer day.
What Is Chrysanthemum Tea?
Chrysanthemum tea, a popular drink in East and Southeast Asia, is an herbal infusion made from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium or Chrysanthemum indicum.
This beverage originated in China, where chrysanthemums were first cultivated as an herb, and later gained popularity as a tea during the Song dynasty.
In Thai, this drink is called "nam gek huay" น้ำเก๊กฮวย with nam meaning water, and gek huay meaning chrysanthemum.
Why We Love This Recipe
The Thai-style chrysanthemum drink has such a beautiful, pleasant floral scent that anyone would enjoy. It definitely works as a drink you can use to entertain your friends, family, or guests.
Also, this light and refreshing drink requires just a few simple ingredients, which you can easily find in Asian grocery stores or online.
Once you have all the ingredients, chrysanthemum tea is one of the easiest drinks to make. You just have to boil everything in one pot. Super easy and very little cleaning!
For more easy Asian drinks, check out my longan drink, bael fruit drink, hibiscus drink, and strawberry matcha latte recipes.
Ingredients
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Dried Gardenia Fruit: You can skip this ingredient but I recommend adding it for a traditional flavor and beautiful bright yellow color.
- Water
- Dried Chrysanthemum Flowers: Either dried bloomed chrysanthemum flowers or buds are fine but I prefer the bloomed flowers.
- Sugar: Any type of sugar or sweetener will do. Just adjust the amount to your taste.
- Salt: We add salt to this drink so that it's not one dimensionally sweet.
How To Make Thai Chrysanthemum Drink
Step 1: Cut the dried gardenia fruit open with a knife.
Step 2: Set a pot of water over medium high heat.
Step 3: Add the dried gardenia fruit, dried chrysanthemum flowers, and sugar to the pot and bring to a boil.
Step 4: Remove the pot from heat. Let the drink cool. Then pour the chrysanthemum drink through a strainer to remove the fruit and flowers.
Step 5: Pour the drink into a glass filled with ice and enjoy.
- If using a dried gardenia fruit, it's important that you break the gardenia fruit before adding it to the water. This allows it to give the drink a bright yellow color. Adding a whole one won't be as effective.
- With dried bloomed chrysanthemum flowers, you will want to use a strainer that has tiny holes. Otherwise, you may end up with florets in your drink.
How To Serve Thai Chrysanthemum Drink
People enjoy Nam Gek Huay both hot and cold. Many Thai spas and massage place like to serve it hot.
But since it's usually very hot in Thailand, it comes with ice most of the time. Simply fill a glass with ice and then pour the drink in.
You can have this drink without ice, but it would still be served chilled. All you have to do is let the drink cool after you've boiled it. Once it's at room temperature, put it in the refrigerator and wait until it's cool enough to drink.
Storage
You can store this drink in a bottle in the refrigerator for about 1 week but I can assure you it won't last that long!
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Thai Chrysanthemum Tea | Nam Gek Huay | น้ำเก๊กฮวย
Equipment
- 1 strainer
Ingredients
- 1 dried gardenia fruit optional
- 5 cups water
- ⅓ cups dried chrysanthemum flowers
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cut the dried gardenia fruit open with a knife.
- Set a pot of water over medium high heat.
- Add the dried gardenia fruit, dried chrysanthemum flowers, and sugar to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Remove the pot from heat. Let the drink cool. Then pour the chrysanthemum drink through a strainer to remove the fruit and flowers.
- Pour the drink into a glass filled with ice and enjoy.
Notes
- If using a dried gardenia fruit, it's important that you break the gardenia fruit before adding it to the water. This allows it to give the drink a bright yellow color. Adding a whole one won't be as effective.
- With dried bloomed chrysanthemum flowers, you will want to use a strainer that has tiny holes. Otherwise, you may end up with florets in your drink.