Herbal Tea for Rainy Days: Warm Drinks for Monsoon Evenings

Rain on the window, a cool breeze and a warm cup in your hands make monsoon evenings feel special. A good herbal tea for rainy days gives the family something new to sip besides the usual tea or filter coffee. This guide covers three drinks many Tamil homes enjoy: hibiscus tea, butterfly pea tea and sukku malli coffee. You will learn how to brew each one, simple serving ideas, and how to store them so they stay fresh in damp weather.

Why try herbal tea for rainy days

During the northeast monsoon, evenings in Tamil Nadu turn cool and cloudy. Many people want a warm drink but do not always want another cup of strong tea or coffee. Herbal drinks are a pleasant change, with interesting colours and gentle flavours.

Most herbal teas are made from dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots. They are easy to brew, need very little equipment and can be served hot or, on warmer days, chilled.

A quick note before you start. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on regular medication or have a health condition, please consult a doctor before trying a new herbal drink. Also read the ingredient list on each pack, and ask the seller if anything is unclear.

Hibiscus tea (sembaruthi tea)

Sembaruthi (hibiscus) is a familiar flower in Tamil home gardens. Dried hibiscus petals give a deep red tea with a slightly tangy, fruity taste.

How to brew hibiscus tea

1. Boil one cup of water and switch off the flame.
2. Add one teaspoon of dried hibiscus tea, or follow the amount on the pack.
3. Cover and let it steep for three to five minutes.
4. Strain into a cup.
5. Sweeten with honey, palm sugar or jaggery if you like.

Serving ideas

• Add a thin slice of lemon or a few mint leaves.
• Add a small piece of crushed ginger while steeping for a little warmth in the taste.
• On a warmer afternoon, chill the brewed tea and serve it with ice.

The colour is part of the fun. Many children love the bright red cup.

Butterfly pea tea (sangu poo tea)

Sangu poo (butterfly pea flower) is the blue climbing flower you may have seen on garden fences. When dried and brewed, it makes a striking blue drink, often called blue pea tea.

How to brew butterfly pea tea

1. Heat one cup of water until it is hot but not at a rolling boil.
2. Add four to five dried flowers or one teaspoon of tea.
3. Let it steep for three to four minutes until the water turns deep blue.
4. Strain and serve.

The colour trick

Squeeze a few drops of lemon into the cup and watch the blue turn purple. This happens because the flower colour changes with sourness. It is a simple, fun moment for children on a rainy evening at home.

The taste is mild and slightly earthy, so many people add honey, lemongrass or a few mint leaves.

Sukku malli coffee

This is a traditional Tamil drink. Sukku means dry ginger and malli means coriander seeds. Despite the name, it usually contains no coffee beans. It is a spiced drink that many families make during the rainy months and in the cooler Tamil month of Margazhi.

Recipes vary from home to home. Some add pepper, cumin, cardamom or palm jaggery. A ready powder saves time, but check the ingredient list on the pack to know what is inside.

How to make it

1. Boil one cup of water in a small pan.
2. Add one to two teaspoons of the powder, or as mentioned on the pack.
3. Simmer for two to three minutes.
4. Add karupatti (palm jaggery) or jaggery and stir until it dissolves.
5. Strain and serve hot.

Some families add a little milk at the end, while others prefer it black. Taste a small cup first, since the spice level differs between powders. Our guide on palm jaggery uses has more ideas for sweetening traditional drinks.

Serving ideas for monsoon evenings

A herbal tea for rainy days can turn tea time into a small family ritual.

• Snack pairing. Serve herbal tea with roasted groundnuts, murukku, sundal or a few biscuits.
• Tea tray. Keep a tray with a kettle, strainer, honey and lemon ready near the dining table.
• Flask for later. Brew the dry ginger drink in a larger batch and keep it in a steel flask for family members coming home late.
• Guests. A bright red or blue cup is a nice surprise when visitors drop in.
• Try one at a time. Give each drink a few days so the family can find a favourite.

You can explore herbal teas and traditional drink powders from local sellers on ShopC in the beverages section. For snacks to go with them, browse the wider foods category.

How to store herbal teas in humid weather

Dried flowers and spice powders absorb moisture easily. During the monsoon, careless storage can make them lose colour and aroma, or even spoil.

• Store in a dry, airtight glass or steel container after opening.
• Always use a dry spoon.
• Keep jars away from the stove, sink and window.
• Avoid clear jars in direct sunlight, which can fade the flowers.
• Buy smaller packs in humid months so you use them while fresh.
• Check the best-before date on the pack or the product page on ShopC.

If you notice an unusual smell, damp clumps or insects, do not use the tea. For more tips on checking items before you buy, see how to check product quality online.

Frequently asked questions

Here are quick answers to common questions about herbal drinks.