The Best Licorice Tea in 2026: Sweet, Aromatic, and Delicious

Licorice tea is well-loved in the herbal tea world because of its sweet taste and robust, aromatic smell that sets it apart from other teas. Made from dried licorice root, it is a silky, laid-back cup that many people tend to enjoy for the way it tastes. It's rich and has a little bit like that classic hard black licorice candy. Because the sweetness comes from the licorice root, the tea tastes sweet even if you don't add any sugar.

For this guide, we looked at many popular teas, checked out customers' favorites, looked at the quality of the ingredients and whether the brand is consistent to come up with a list of some of the best licorice teas out there right now in 2026.

Licorice tea is a type of herbal tea that's made from a dried-up piece of the Glycyrrhiza plant - usually the root of either Glycyrrhiza glabra or uralensis. When you steep that root in hot water, the sweetness comes through along with some earthy notes and a hint of wood undertones that aren't too overpowering. Some people say it tastes a lot like that black licorice candy we all know, but they also often comment that the tea itself feels a little more refined and a lot smoother.

While it can be enjoyed on its own, licorice root is more commonly used as a base note in herbal tea blends. Its natural sweetness and rounded flavor make it a versatile ingredient that pairs well with a wide range of herbs, spices, and botanicals, allowing tea makers to create balanced and layered infusions.

Licorice root tea has a sweet flavor that's mellow enough not to overpower, with a richness that feels right on the palate. As soon as you brew it, you will taste the sweetness right away. And as it cools down, you get all these understated earthy and herbal notes that add real depth. Some people believe that they can taste fennel or anise, which is only adding to that unmistakable licorice flavor.

Across all the different blends out there, licorice tea can have different flavor profiles. Some of them are nice and light, refreshing even, with a clean coolness at the end. Others are a little brighter, more uplifting, and might even have a hint of citrus to them. Then, there are these deeper, more comforting profiles that are warm and gently spiced, giving you a fuller, more rounded taste experience. It's all this variation that's got people who like licorice tea coming back for more - whether its crisp and invigorating or smooth and soothing.

Brand Overview: Beach House Tea creates teas that transport you to the coast. They do this by crafting blends that capture the laid-back, calming sensation of a seaside day. Their idea is to create flavors that feel as easy-going as a walk by the water.

Flavor and Experience: Ocean Shores is all about a delicate balance of tart hibiscus and rose hips, smooth lemongrass, and a hint of orange peel, spearmint and licorice root. You'll first taste the citrus notes, but the mint keeps things fresh, while the licorice does a good job of taming the acidity. Altogether, it's a refreshing tea that makes you feel like you're strolling along a beach on a warm day.

Brewing and Serving Notes: Steep 1 teaspoon of Ocean Shores loose-leaf tea in 8 oz (240 ml) of water heated to 212°F (100°C) for 5–7 minutes. This will turn to a lovely bright color and lets off an amazing citrus scent with a hint of mint. The licorice does a nice job of mellowing out the sharper fruit notes leaving a pleasant sweetness that lingers after you've finished the cup, perfect on its own or with a light summer snack.

Brand Overview: Tea with Tae makes a name for itself with its line of herbal blends, all made with natural ingredients and whole herbs. You can get that loose-leaf taste without all the hassle, thanks to their pyramid tea bags - no fancy brewing tool needed. They also offer loose leaf tea for those who prefer traditional brewing methods. So whether you're at home or on the go, great-tasting tea is accessible anytime.

Flavor and Experience: The Calming Tea blend is made up of peppermint leaves that give it a lively burst, some mellow licorice root to balance things out, and sage bringing a rich earthiness to the table. You get a refreshing peppermint at the start, then the sweetness of the licorice root emerges to even things out and the sage adds a nice undercurrent. The result is a smooth, easy-to-drink cup of herbal tea that anyone can enjoy.

Brewing and Serving Notes: Use one pyramid tea pouch of the Calming tea in 8 oz (240 ml) of water heated to 212°F (100°C) and steep it for 5 to 7 minutes. When you steep this, it fills the air with a light, crisp minty scent and gives you a clear, light infusion. The licorice root adds a bit of sweetness that helps balance out the flavors. The sage brings a subtle earthiness and a mellow finish with just a hint of anise undertones. This is perfect on its own or paired with some light herbal treats.

Brand Overview: August Uncommon Tea's focuses on experimenting with loose-leaf blends that capture the essence of different culinary flavors. They mix traditional leaves together with real unconventional ingredients to create teas that are not just different, but also memorable. Every single blend they come up with is designed to be a standout, layered, aromatic, and pretty in the cup.

Flavor and Experience: Mood Indigo is a black tea with a strong backbone, combined with orange peel that's as bright as can be, some velvety vanilla, and a hint of subtle smokiness. Licorice root adds a sweetness that finishes out the flavor, then the citrus notes kick in and lift the whole tea blend. You taste the citrus on the first sip, that creamy vanilla on the second, and then that gentle smoky warmth that lingers on and on at the end. So it's all complex and interesting and still somehow feels like a comfort drink.

Brewing and Serving Notes: To brew Mood Indigo Smoky Orange Vanilla Black Tea, use about 2 teaspoons (3.5 grams) of loose-leaf tea in 10 oz of water heated to 212°F (100°C) and steep for 4–5 minutes, adjusting the time slightly for a lighter or stronger cup. When you brew Mood Indigo, it gives you a clear amber color with an aroma that's orange zest and warm vanilla all combined together. The black tea comes through as smooth and full-bodied, and all the other flavors mix together with it while the licorice root and vanilla add a sweetness to the blend. You can drink this one all on its own, savoring the way the flavors come and go, or you can try it with some light pastries and desserts and see how all those citrus and vanilla notes go together.

Brand Overview: Plum Deluxe focuses on crafting small-batch loose-leaf teas that makes you want to reach for every day, and also when you need to unwind a little. They're all about putting together flavor combinations that are approachable, using ingredients you can feel good about, and letting each one shine.

Flavor and Experience: Rejuvenation Blend is a real treat. It has that nice zing of lemon peel and apple pieces, but balanced by a gentle warmth from ginger root and a soft sweetness from the rose petals and licorice root. When you first pour it, you get this pleasant hint of citrus, followed by some subtle warmth and a sweetness from the licorice that mellows out all the rough edges. You'll end up with a cup that's refreshing, yet still balanced.

Brewing and Serving Notes: Prepare a teaspoon of Rejuvenation Blend Herbal loose-leaf tea in 8 oz (240 ml) of water heated to 212°F (100°C) and steep for 4–6 minutes, adjusting the steeping time depending on how strong you prefer the ginger and citrus notes. This tea has a light, golden color and a nice fresh citrus scent. The texture is nice and smooth. The ginger adds some nice spice to it, and the licorice adds a sweetness that makes it all round. You could drink it on its own and be happy, but it's also nice with some lighter snacks or treats.

Brand Overview: Piper and Leaf is a family-owned tea company out of Alabama that is known for hand-making special teas using fruits, herbs and spices in multiple unique combinations. Their bold flavors and pretty ingredients set them apart from the rest.

Flavor and Experience: The Elderberry Elixir is a standout. They've got tart elderberries and hibiscus, combined with the zing of lemon rind, warm ginger and cinnamon, a little echinacea for an added kick, and a tiny hint of licorice root to round it all out. You'll get some bright berry and citrus notes, and the warm spices add a nice gentle warmth to the blend.

Brewing and Serving Note: To brew Piper and Leaf Elderberry Elixir, use 1 tablespoon of loose-leaf tea in 8 oz (240 ml) of water heated to 212°F (100°C) and steep it for 5–7 minutes, allowing the fruits and herbs time to fully infuse. When you brew this, it will have a deep, rich red color and the aroma that comes out is all berries and citrus. Some people believe that the licorice root helps to cut through the tartness of the hibiscus, while the warmth of the ginger and cinnamon lingers in the finish. It's perfect on its own, but it's also lovely when paired with a light pastry.

Brand Overview: Pinky Up offers playful tea collections that has their own spin on the classics and the latest flavor trends. Their sampler sets are a great way for tea fans to try out a lot of different blends in smaller doses, making it easy to discover some new favorites in the process.

Flavor and Experience: This sampler contains multiple chai-style teas that has many warming spices like cinnamon, ginger and cloves, along with a licorice root variation that gives you something different. The warming spices give the tea a bold, aromatic flavor but the licorice root brings a gentle sweetness that helps to balance out the spices and gives you a nice, layered cup.

Brewing and Serving Notes: Use 1 teaspoon of Pinky Up Chai loose-leaf tea in 8 oz (240 ml) of water heated to 200–212°F (93–100°C) and steep for 4–5 minutes, adjusting for a stronger or lighter flavor. When brewed, the chai has an impressive, spiced-up aroma that fills the whole cup. The licorice root does a great job of balancing the spices and adding a hint of sweetness which, when combined with the spices, gives you a nice rounded texture that's perfect on its own or paired up with some lightly spiced snacks.

Brand Overview: Tea Please is a company that's all about kindness to the planet. They focus on teas made with love and real care for the earth. The whole company is run by a woman who's passionate about getting the best quality, ethically sourced ingredients together with loose-leaf blends.

Flavor and Experience:  Breathe EZ is a beautiful blend of peppermint that cools your throat, soft licorice, some rosemary for a bit of zing, eucalyptus, blackberry leaves and a few rose petals. It all starts with a refreshing peppermint, then the licorice comes in and makes the overall flavor smooth.

Brewing and Serving Notes: To make Breathe EZ, just put 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf tea into 8 oz of water that's been heated up to 212°F (100°C) and leave it to steep for 5 to 7 minutes. That's going to give you a lovely clear cup that lets all those herbal flavors shine through. As soon as you lift the cup, the first thing you get is this fantastic refreshing mint, but then you get a hint of sweetness from the licorice which balances everything out perfectly and leaves a mellow finish. This is great to drink on its own or with some light snacks.

Licorice tea is one of those teas that does just about everything right. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also versatile. Whether you're using loose leaves, licorice root, or some of those convenient little sachets you can buy. And licorice root gets better with a little heat, so get some fresh water and let it steep for a little longer than you would a black tea or green tea.

When you're brewing a single cup, use a teaspoon of loose licorice or one of those sachets per 8 ounces of water, not too much, and not too little. Pour in the hot water and let it sit for anywhere between 5-8 minutes while the flavors start to come out. You'll notice the color of the tea start to deepen and get a little more intense, and the aroma also gets amazing.

Licorice root tea is delicious all on its own and it can be customized to suit your taste. Adding a squeeze of lemon will give it a nice brightness. If you're feeling more adventurous, you could try warming up some cinnamon or star anise to add some depth. If you want to get fancy, you could try adding some milk, but be careful not to add any citrus with it or you'll end up with curdled dairy.

Whether you drink it hot or iced, licorice root tea always tastes great. The sweetness stands out when it's over ice, so it's perfect for those hot summer days when you need something refreshing.

But here's the thing about licorice root tea, it is the perfect base for making different blends. Its flavor profile is layer upon layer of deliciousness, so you can add whatever you like to it and it'll still be great, which is why it's such a versatile addition to any tea collection.

Licorice tea is one of the herbal teas that stands out with its own special charm. It's got this naturally sweet, aromatically rich flavor that's layered and complex. Plus, it has a versatility to it that lets it go well with spices, citrus, mint and all sorts of other herbs. So whether you're a fan of fruity or spicy teas, chances are licorice tea is going to appeal to you.

The blends we've featured in this guide are some of the best licorice teas out there in 2026. What's interesting is that each of them manages to bring out the unique personality of the licorice root while also combining it with other flavors in a way that makes for some memorable tea experiences.

If all this has piqued your interest, then check out the rest of our collection at Taste of Tea where you'll find more interesting herbal blends and specialty teas all waiting to enhance your daily cup of tea.

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