Yaupon Recipes

Want a refreshing homegrown alternative to tea or coffee? We've got you covered.

A clear glass pitcher filled with an iced beverage made with caffeinated yaupon holly, with lemon slices and mint within.

Sweet Tea with American Bold Yaupon

A Southern classic, reimagined.

1. Boil 4 cups of water.

2. Pour over 3 teabags of Goldholly Bold yaupon in a pitcher or jug - let teabags steep for 10 minutes.

3. Remove teabags - stir in 2 teaspoons of organic turbinado sugar.

4. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

5. Stir in 0.5 teaspoons of organic fresh lemon juice.

Garnish with fresh-cut lemon, if desired. Serves 3.

Tip 1: Keep it smooth.

Yaupon's lighter caffeine content & lack of tannins pair well with fruitier flavors—think lemon, apple, strawberry, and peach.

Glass of yaupon and apple on a white background

Apple Honey Yaupon Hot Tea

A warm, tangy, and comforting fall beverage.

1. Boil 1 cup of water.

2. Place 3 tablespoons of apple powder into fine-mesh strainer and add 1 Goldholly Original yaupon teabag.

3. Slowly pour hot water through strainer into a mug, allowing apple powder to steep and infuse.

4. Remove strainer and discard remaining solids.

5. Stir in 2 tablespoons of organic honey.

Garnish with additional apple slice if desired. Serve hot and enjoy. Serves 1.

Tip 2: Make it yours.

Yaupon is versatile, and the recipes on this page are are starting points—adjust sweetness, strength, and add-ins to match your taste.

A clear plastic cup filled with a refresher beverage made with caffeinated yaupon holly, topped by a lemon slice and mint leaves.

Goldholly Original Hawaiian Refresher

American energy with tropical flavors.

Ingredients:

2 teabags yaupon, Goldholly Original

½ cup passion fruit juice

½ cup pineapple juice

½ cup mango juice

¼ cup coconut water

¼ cup sparkling water

5 tablespoons sugar

Lemon/pineapple slices + fresh mint

CLICK TO EXPAND RECIPE

Preparation

1. Brew Yaupon

Bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add yaupon teabags and let steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on preferred flavor strength. Remove tea bag, allow tea to cool slightly, then place in the refrigerator until chilled.

2. Prepare Tropical Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine mango juice, pineapple juice, passion fruit juice, and sugar. Place over medium heat and bring mixture to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally as it cooks down. Continue simmering until most of the liquid has evaporated and you are left with a thick, glossy syrup that coats the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool, then chill in the refrigerator.

3. Combine Yaupon + Syrup

Once both tea and syrup are cold, pour tea into tall glass. Add syrup, stirring until mixture is evenly blended and slightly sweetened.

4. Add Refreshers

Pour in coconut water, followed by sparkling water. Stir gently to mix without losing too much carbonation.

5. Garnish

Add a handful of ice cubes, if desired. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, lemon slices, and pineapple wedges for a bright, tropical presentation.

Tip 3: Yaupon likes heat.

Yaupon is good when cold-brewed, but additional flavors of the plant are released by hot water.

A clear glass mug filled with a hot beverage made with caffeinated yaupon holly, garnished with an orange peel and with honey being drizzled in.

Hot Yaupon Tea with Honey

Simple, homegrown comfort in a cup.

1. Boil 1.5 cups of filtered water.

2. Pour over 1 teabag of Goldholly Mellow yaupon in a mug/cup.

3. Let teabag steep for 6 minutes.

4. Remove teabag - stir in 0.5 teaspoons of organic honey (adjust to taste).

5. Let cool for 5 minutes before consuming.

Garnish with fresh-cut lemon, if desired. Serves 1.

Tip 4: Don't stress the clock.

Yaupon's low tannin content means that it doesn't get bitter like classic teas, so you can steep for longer.

Glass mug with a yaupon pumpkin latte and a cinnamon stick in it.

Yaupon Pumpkin Fall Foam Latte

Fuel for autumn in America.

Ingredients:

2 teabags yaupon, Goldholly Mellow

1 cup smooth pumpkin purée

½ cup cream cheese or plant-based cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons sugar

â…™ cup milk or plant-based milk

1 cinnamon stick or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

CLICK TO EXPAND RECIPE

Preparation

1. Brew Yaupon

Bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add yaupon teabags. Add cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon), and let steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on preferred flavor strength. Remove teabags and set aside.

2. Prepare Pumpkin Foam

In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese/plant-based cream cheese, honey, sugar, and milk/plant-based milk. Whisk vigorously (or use a frother) until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, with a light foam consistency.

3. Combine Yaupon + Foam

Remove the cinnamon stick from the brewed tea. Add 3 big scoops of the pumpkin foam on top of the hot yaupon tea.

4. Serve and Enjoy

Enjoy immediately as a cozy, fall-inspired drink with rich, creamy notes of pumpkin cheesecake and roasted yaupon tea.

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