If you’re looking to expand your tea horizons, or you’re already a fan of Yaupon, move this simple blend of dried leaves and sugar made from maple syrup to the top of your list. 

Yaupon tea is the only caffeinated, leaf-based infusion indigenous to the United States. Tribes in the southeastern states have been preparing and drinking this holly leaf brew for centuries. And maple has been sweetening food for at least as long. Together, they make fall treat that honors the abundance of our region. 

Learn more about Yaupon in our article, 5 Facts About Yaupon Tea.

Gather your ingredients

Makes two cups of tea with extra maple sugar to spare.

For the maple sugar

• 2 cups of light maple syrup

• A candy thermometer is handy

For the tea

• 4 tsp dried yaupon leaves

• 1-2 tablespoons maple sugar

• 3 cups water

Make maple sugar and yaupon tea

To make the maple sugar

• Add the maple syrup to a saucepan over medium-high heat

• Boil without stirring until the syrup reduces by half. It will be about 260 degrees on the thermometer. This will take 15-20 minutes. (If it looks like the syrup is going to boil over, it’s OK to give it a quick stir with a wooden spoon.)

• Remove from heat. Using a wooden spoon, hand mixer, or stand mixer on medium, mix until the syrup forms large crystals and looks a bit like brown sugar. 

• Once the sugar is completely cool, you can put it through a sieve or blend it briefly in a food processor to get smaller crystals. 

• Store the sugar in an airtight container and us in place of sugar.  

To make the yaupon tea

• In a pot, bring the water to a boil

• Add the yaupon leaves to a tea bag or tea sock

• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes

• Remove the tea bag and pour into two mugs

• Sweeten to taste with maple sugar