Herbal Coffee is a caffeine-free coffee alternative that is made from herbs. Find the best Herbal Coffee recipe you can make at home, plus some of the potential health benefits from this nourishing hot beverage.

Mug of herbal coffee on a wooden board.

If you’re serious about health but won’t compromise on taste, you’ll be happy to know that this herbal coffee delivers when it comes to flavor. It has that deep, earthy taste that makes coffee so satisfying, but it’s also creamy and not as acidic as most coffee roasts. 

And, although it doesn’t taste exactly like coffee, you’ll get used to it quickly and may even prefer herbal coffee over regular coffee. This recipe gives you full-throttled flavor while also supporting your liver’s natural detoxification abilities.

Herbal coffee is healthy, uses minimal ingredients, is super easy to make, caffeine-free, and, importantly, it is delicious!  

Herbal Coffee Recipe Ingredients

To make this recipe, you’ll need a few basic ingredients you can get from a health store or online. 

Whether you want to quit the coffee habit or you just want to stop drinking so much coffee, this recipe is a great way to get started.

Dandelion Root 

Everyone has seen those little yellow lawn flowers, but did you know that dandelions are super healthy? From root to flower, they are full of goodness! For this recipe, we use the root of the dandelion plant, which contains potent antioxidants. 

Dandelion root may protect against liver damage, help fight inflammation, and boost immune health.

Once it’s steeped in hot water, this root has a warm, toasty smell and tastes a little nutty. You can find dandelion root at most health stores.

Milk Thistle Seed 

Milk thistle seed is a well-known complementary herbal therapy.

It is widely used for improving liver health and assisting with brain function and may also help protect bone health and boost breast milk production. 

This seed has a similar taste to hemp seed and is slightly bitter because it contains silymarin, which gives the seed its powerful antioxidant and liver-cleansing properties.

Chicory Root

This recipe’s chicory gives it a woody, nutty flavor and aroma.

Chicory is also a family member of the dandelion and packs a healthy punch as well! It may help reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, and improve digestive health. It’s not just a tasty root!

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most delicious and healthy spices on the planet.

You can use roughly chopped cinnamon bark or ground cinnamon powder for this recipe. If you like the flavor, feel free to add a little extra!

Plant Milk

This is an optional ingredient, and it’s entirely up to you what plant milk you like. If you aren’t on a dairy-free diet, you can even use regular dairy milk.

I prefer a little dash of coconut milk in my herbal coffee. For health reasons, choose high-quality plant milk that’s not sweetened and doesn’t contain any fillers, preservatives, or additives.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Herbal decaf coffee next to bowls of ingredients to brew.

Special Equipment 

You’ll only need two inexpensive pieces of equipment to make this herbal coffee recipe; chances are you will already have at least one of them!

French Press

If you’re a regular coffee drinker, you will probably have a French press already. If not, they are inexpensive, and you can find them in stores or online. 

Your Favorite Coffee Mug

We all have a favorite mug. For that perfect cup of morning coffee, it’s essential to have it in the perfect mug that fits just right in your hand. 

How to Make Homemade Herbal Coffee

You can make this herbal coffee in minutes and with only four simple steps. It’s so quick and easy it can become part of your morning routine with minimal effort.

Here are the steps you take. You’ll find exact measurements and instructions below in the recipe card.

Step One

Put all the ingredients into the French press.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Let it steep for 10 minutes (or up to 15 minutes).

Step Three

Plunge the press down, and pour the freshly steeped herbal coffee into your mug. Top it with a bit of milk, and enjoy!

I hope you agree that this homemade herbal coffee is a great option to discover health benefits and add to your morning ritual.

Recipe Tips

As with regular coffee, you can add some milk or sweeten it as per your preference. Here are some options.

  • Top your herbal coffee with any type of milk if you like a creamy coffee. I like the creaminess of coconut milk.
  • You can add a little sweetener to your herbal coffee to mask any bitter flavors. I recommend a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup. 
  • This recipe is filled with nutty, earthy flavor, so you won’t need to add anything extra. However, if you like additional flavorings in your regular coffee, like a splash of vanilla extract or a sprinkle of cacao powder, go ahead and add them. 
  • There is no one herbal coffee substitute recipe. You can adapt this recipe to meet your needs. Try adding burdock root, cocao nibs, roasted dandelion root, licorice root, or even powdered mushrooms to your herbal mix.

Recipe FAQs

What is herbal coffee?

It is a hot drink made with a blend of healthy herbs. It tastes similar to regular coffee, and it’s dark and deeply satisfying. However, it’s caffeine-free and less acidic. Because it contains milk thistle seed, dandelion root and other health-promoting ingredients, herbal coffee can help you to support liver function. 

Does herbal coffee taste like regular coffee?

Not exactly. There are similarities, for example, the nuttiness and bitterness of regular coffee. It is a rich and satisfying flavor – the perfect pick-me-up in the morning! I find that herbal coffee is a great alternative to decaf coffee and a lot more satisfying than herbal tea. Even coffee drinkers generally like dandelion root coffee with roasted chicory.

Does herbal coffee contain caffeine?

No it’s completely free from caffeine. If you add products like cacao nibs or cocoa, though, there may be some caffeine.

Is herbal coffee gluten-free?

Most herbal coffee mixtures are gluten-free, but you may need to check the package of the individual brand to make sure.

Can I buy herbal coffee?

Yes! There are some great pre-made herbal coffee brands on the market. I really like Dandy Blend which is dandelion coffee herbal coffee blend with chicory root! Look for it online or at your local health food store.

More Drinks and Information You Might Like

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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Mug of herbal coffee on a wooden board.

Herbal Coffee Recipe (Best Coffee Substitute)

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Herbal Coffee is a caffeine-free coffee alternative that is made from herbs. Find the best herbal coffee recipe you can make at home, plus some of the potential benefits.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Put all the dandelion root, milk thistle seed, chicory root granules, ground cinnamon, and boiling water to the base of a French press coffee maker.
  2. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes (or up to 15 minutes).
  3. Push the plunger down and pour the freshly steeped herbal coffee into your mug. 
  4. Top with a bit of coconut or other plant milk, or sweeten it if you want to. Enjoy hot.

Notes

  1. The longer you steep this coffee, the more the flavor will intensify, and the more potent the herbal coffee’s healing power will be! It’s best to experiment with different times until you find out how long you should leave it for the best taste. 
  2. Top your herbal coffee with any dairy-free milk if you like white coffee. I like the creaminess of coconut milk or gluten-free oat milk. 
  3. You can add a little sweetener to your herbal coffee if it’s too bitter. I recommend a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 3
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 3 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.