Listen, I didn’t know what to do with all the lemon mint bee balm growing in my garden last year. It was taking over! But after some experimenting, I found these incredible ways to use this aromatic herb that’ll seriously upgrade your summer cooking. The citrusy mint flavor of lemon bee balm is unlike anything else – fresh, zingy and so versatile. Keep reading and I’ll show you why this overlooked herb deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen.
More Healthy drinks ideas
Why You’ll Love Cooking with Lemon Mint Bee Balm
Ever tried to make mojitos but ran out of mint? Lemon mint bee balm saved me during a last-minute dinner party. The guests couldn’t tell the difference – some even preferred it! This herb solves the problem of bland summer dishes without adding extra calories or complicated ingredients.
What makes lemon mint bee balm special is how it works in both sweet and savory recipes. I’ve used it in everything from cocktails to marinades to desserts. Plus, you can grow this lemon mint plant yourself super easily – it’s basically indestructible in most gardens. Even my neighbor who kills everything managed to keep it alive.
What Exactly Is Lemon Mint Bee Balm?
Before we get to the recipes, let’s clear up some confusion. Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora) is a native North American herb also known as lemon mint monarda or horsemint in Texas. It’s related to the more common red bee balm but has a distinctive lemony scent and flavor.
Is lemon mint the same as bee balm? Not exactly. “Bee balm” refers to several plants in the Monarda family. Lemon bee balm is a specific type with natural citrus notes. It’s different from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) which is another herb entirely.
The lemon mint leaves look similar to other mints but with a more pointed shape and slightly fuzzy texture. When you crush them, you’ll immediately notice the bright lemon scent with minty undertones.
Essential Ingredients for Cooking with Lemon Bee Balm
Here’s what you’ll need to make the most of this versatile herb:
Fresh Lemon Mint Bee Balm
- Fresh leaves work best in most recipes
- Harvest before flowering for strongest flavor
- Can substitute regular mint + lemon zest in a pinch, but won’t be the same
- Young leaves tend to have milder flavor
Complementary Ingredients
- Honey – enhances the natural sweetness
- Berries – especially strawberries and blueberries
- Citrus fruits – amplifies the lemon notes
- White fish – the herb’s gentle flavor won’t overwhelm delicate fish
- Chicken – creates amazing marinades
- Cucumber – perfect cooling combination
Kitchen Tools
- Sharp scissors for harvesting
- Food processor for quick chopping
- Ice cube trays for freezing herb-infused liquids
- Tea infuser for making beverages
How to Prepare Lemon Mint Bee Balm for Cooking
Getting your lemon bee balm ready is super simple:
- Harvest the stems by cutting just above a leaf node. Do this in morning when essential oils are strongest. You’ll know it’s ready when you can smell the lemon scent just by brushing against the plant.
- Rinse the stems and leaves under cool water. Pat dry gently with clean kitchen towel. Don’t soak them or you’ll lose those precious oils.
- Remove leaves from stems by pinching the stem and pulling upward. The stems are too tough to eat but can be used for infusions.
- Chop or tear depending on your recipe. For fine chopping, stack leaves, roll them up, and slice thinly.
- Store unused leaves wrapped in slightly damp paper towel in the fridge for up to 5 days.
7 Delicious Ways to Use Lemon Bee Balm
1. Lemon Mint Bee Balm Tea
This refreshing tea works hot or cold:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup fresh lemon bee balm leaves
- Honey to taste
- Lemon slice for garnish
Bring water to just below boiling. Remove from heat, add leaves, and steep 5-10 minutes. Strain, add honey if desired, and enjoy. For iced tea, refrigerate until cold and serve over ice.
2. Lemon Bee Balm Infused Honey
This infused honey is amazing on toast, in tea, or drizzled over cheese:
- 1 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup loosely packed lemon bee balm leaves
Gently warm honey until it’s pourable but not hot. Add clean, dry leaves and let steep for 2 weeks in a sealed jar. Strain out leaves and store at room temp.
3. Lemon Mint Pesto
A unique twist on traditional pesto:
- 2 cups lemon bee balm leaves
- 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pulse everything except oil in food processor. Slowly add oil until desired consistency. Amazing on pasta, chicken, or fish.
4. Bee Balm Butter
Compound butter that elevates any grilled meat or vegetables:
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 3 tbsp finely chopped lemon bee balm leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
Mix ingredients, roll into log using parchment paper, refrigerate until firm. Slice and use as needed.
5. Lemon Mint Bee Balm Mojito
The best summer cocktail you’ll try:
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon bee balm leaves
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 oz white rum
- Soda water
- Ice
Muddle leaves with sugar and lime juice. Add rum, ice, and top with soda water. Garnish with lemon bee balm sprig.
6. Lemon Bee Balm Vinegar
Perfect for homemade salad dressings:
- 2 cups white wine vinegar
- 1 cup packed lemon bee balm leaves
Heat vinegar until warm (not boiling). Pour over leaves in clean jar. Seal and store in dark place for 2 weeks. Strain and use in vinaigrettes.
7. Lemon Mint Plant Ice Cream
Unexpected but delicious dessert:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 cup lemon bee balm leaves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Heat cream, milk, and leaves until steaming. Remove from heat, cover, and steep 30 minutes. Strain. Whisk egg yolks with sugar, gradually add warm cream. Cook until thickened. Cool completely, add vanilla, and churn in ice cream maker.
Variations and Adaptations
Want to mix things up? Try these creative twists:
- Spicy Version – Add Thai chilis to the lemon bee balm vinegar for a kick
- Berry Blend – Mix chopped strawberries with the bee balm butter for fruit toast
- Savory Rub – Combine dried lemon bee balm leaves with salt, pepper, and garlic for a chicken rub
- Citrus Boost – Add orange zest to the tea for a multi-citrus experience
- Herbal Blend – Combine with basil and oregano in the pesto recipe
- Floral Notes – Mix with lavender in small amounts for the infused honey
Lemon Mint Bee Balm
Equipment
- Sharp scissors for harvesting
- Food processor for chopping
- Ice cube trays for freezing herb-infused liquids
- Tea infuser for making beverages
Ingredients
Lemon Mint Bee Balm Tea
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup fresh lemon bee balm leaves
- Honey to taste
- Lemon slice for garnish
Lemon Bee Balm Infused Honey
- 1 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup loosely packed lemon bee balm leaves
Lemon Mint Pesto
- 2 cups lemon bee balm leaves
- 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bee Balm Butter
- 1 stick butter softened
- 3 tbsp finely chopped lemon bee balm leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
Lemon Mint Bee Balm Mojito
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon bee balm leaves
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 oz white rum
- Soda water
- Ice
Lemon Bee Balm Vinegar
- 2 cups white wine vinegar
- 1 cup packed lemon bee balm leaves
Lemon Mint Plant Ice Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 cup lemon bee balm leaves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Lemon Mint Bee Balm Tea
- Bring water to just below boiling.
- Remove from heat, add leaves, and steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain, add honey if desired, and enjoy.
- For iced tea, refrigerate until cold and serve over ice.
Lemon Bee Balm Infused Honey
- Gently warm honey until it’s pourable but not hot.
- Add clean, dry leaves and let steep for 2 weeks in a sealed jar.
- Strain out leaves and store at room temp.
Lemon Mint Pesto
- Pulse everything except oil in food processor.
- Slowly add oil until desired consistency.
- Use on pasta, chicken, or fish.
Bee Balm Butter
- Mix ingredients together.
- Roll into a log using parchment paper.
- Refrigerate until firm.
- Slice and use as needed.
Lemon Mint Bee Balm Mojito
- Muddle leaves with sugar and lime juice.
- Add rum, ice, and top with soda water.
- Garnish with a lemon bee balm sprig.
Lemon Bee Balm Vinegar
- Heat vinegar until warm (not boiling).
- Pour over leaves in a clean jar.
- Seal and store in a dark place for 2 weeks.
- Strain and use in vinaigrettes.
Lemon Mint Plant Ice Cream
- Heat cream, milk, and leaves until steaming.
- Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain and discard leaves.
- Whisk egg yolks with sugar, then gradually add warm cream mixture.
- Cook until thickened.
- Cool completely, add vanilla, and churn in an ice cream maker.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you do with Lemon Bee Balm?
Besides the recipes above, you can use lemon bee balm as a garnish for desserts, add to fruit salads, infuse in cream for baking, mix into homemade ice cream, or dry the leaves for tea blends. I also like adding it to bath sachets for aromatherapy.
Is lemon mint the same as bee balm?
Lemon mint (Monarda citriodora) is a type of bee balm with a citrusy flavor profile. The term “bee balm” actually refers to several plants in the Monarda genus. So lemon mint bee balm is a specific variety of bee balm with distinctive lemon notes.
What not to plant next to bee balm?
Avoid planting lemon bee balm seeds near herbs that prefer dry conditions like rosemary, sage, or thyme. Bee balm loves moisture and can create too much humidity for these Mediterranean herbs. Also keep it away from aggressive mints that might overwhelm it.
What is the best way to use lemon balm?
The best uses for lemon bee balm are in beverages (teas, cocktails), infused in honey or vinegar, added to desserts, or used in place of mint in savory dishes. Its flavor is strongest when used fresh rather than dried.
What not to mix lemon balm with?
Lemon bee balm doesn’t pair well with strong flavors that might overwhelm it, like hot peppers or too much garlic. Also avoid mixing it with other strongly aromatic herbs like rosemary or sage as they’ll compete rather than complement.
Make Lemon Mint Bee Balm Your Secret Kitchen Weapon
I wasn’t sure about lemon mint bee balm when I first grew it. Seemed like just another pretty flower. But after that first taste, it’s become one of my garden must-haves. My daughter now requests the “special lemonade” whenever she visits – our little tradition that started with an herb I almost pulled out as a weed!
What I love most about cooking with lemon bee balm is how it bridges the gap between familiar and unexpected. It’s mint, but not quite. It’s lemony, but in a way that’s completely different from lemon juice. Try it once, and I bet you’ll be finding new ways to use it in your kitchen too.