Tea bombs — also called floral tea balls or tea globes — are a fun TikTok trend that make a gorgeous DIY gift. They’re delicate sugar shells filled with tea, dried flowers and other pretty add-ins. Drop one into a mug of hot water, and the shell dissolves to reveal the colorful ingredients inside.
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About this Tea Bomb recipe
Hot cocoa bombs had their moment, and now tea bombs are here to take over. These shimmering sugar globes are made with isomalt, which melts into a clear, hard shell. Inside, you can add your favorite teas, herbs, dried fruit or edible flowers for a beautiful reveal.
Because they’re customizable, tea bombs are just as fun to make as they are to gift. You can keep them simple with loose-leaf tea and flowers or get creative with colors, patterns and decorations.
They’re whimsical, festive and simple to make with the right tools. Package them up for the holidays, Easter or as a thoughtful homemade gift for any tea lover. Pair them with a box of homemade sugar cubes or floral ice cubes for a stunning tea-time gift set.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This tea version of hot chocolate bombs is one you’re going to love making!
- Perfect for gifting: Package them up for holidays, birthdays or teacher gifts.
- Customizable: Choose the tea, colors and fillings you love.
- Beautiful presentation: A globe filled with flowers and tea is as pretty as it is delicious.
- Shock and awe: Wow your friends at a tea party, brunch or after a dinner party with this fun new way to serve tea.
Tools & equipment
To make floral tea balls, you’ll need a small saucepan to melt the isomalt crystals *. Because melted isomalt gets extremely hot, it’s important to wear isomalt sugar protective gloves *.
A sphere silicone mold * helps form the globes and release them once cooled, while dried edible flowers * add a colorful touch inside or outside the shells. A small skillet is also handy for warming the edges when sealing the halves together.
Tea bomb filling ideas
You can get creative with what you tuck inside your hot tea bombs. Some ideas:
- Dehydrated citrus: Slices of orange, lemon, or lime are all excellent choices (especially for a tea hot toddy!)
- Dried spices: Use warm spice options like candied ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves.
- Dried berries: Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are my favorites.
- Tea: Use loose tea or tea bags, any blend you love. Black tea, green tea, white tea and herbal tea are all great!
- Dried edible flowers *: Some of the most visually appealing and delicious options are chamomile, lavender and rose petals. Butterfly pea flowers are fun because they turn the tea blue, but then if you add a squeeze of citrus, it turns magenta.
- Sugar cubes: You can make your own sugar cubes or use store-bought.
- Gel food color: Try tinting the isomalt for a fun twist.
Instructions
Making homemade tea bombs is fun, but a little nuanced. There are some tips and tricks to keep in mind as you go — and safety should be top of mind. Be sure you are wearing heat-proof isomalt sugar protective gloves *.
Place isomalt crystals * in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not stir while melting. Instead, gently shake or swirl the pan until all crystals have liquefied. Once melted, stir briefly until bubbles subside and the liquid turns clear.
Next, we make the tea bomb shells. Working quickly, pour or spoon a few tablespoons into each mold cavity. Rotate the mold to coat the interior evenly. Avoid contact with skin — the mixture is extremely hot. Let cool 20–30 minutes. Repeat until 6 cavities are filled, reheating isomalt as needed. It can be melted multiple times, but take care not to burn it.
Once cooled, press 3 top halves out of the mold — these will be your top halves. Leave the remaining bottom halves in the molds. (This makes assembly easier.)
Add a tea bag and about 1 tablespoon edible flowers or herbs to each bottom half. Arrange the tea bag string (if there is one) to extend outside the mold.
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Heat a small skillet over low heat. Place one top half on the skillet for a few seconds to gently melt the edge. Quickly set the melted edges over a filled bottom half to seal it shut. Repeat for remaining globes.
Let sit 5–10 minutes, then press from the bottom of the mold to release the sealed globes. Handle with care — they are fragile.
Want to decorate your tea bombs? To decorate, melt a small amount of isomalt. Dip the end of a flower into the liquid and press gently onto the globe. Sugar gloves are recommended! You can also dye the isomalt with gel food color.
Tips & tricks
- Protect your hands: Always use sugar gloves when handling hot isomalt. It should not contact your skin.
- Fit tea bags carefully: Depending on your mold size, tea bags may need folding. Tuck them in fully before sealing.
- Practice helps: Forming even shells takes a little trial and error. Each batch gets easier!
How to use Tea Bombs
These tea bombs can be a fun part of an afternoon tea, a gift for a friend or a kitchen craft you enjoy at home. To make tea, boil some water on the stove or in an electric kettle. Then…
Place one tea bomb in a large mug. Pour the boiling water directly over the globe and watch the shell dissolve, releasing the tea, flowers and spices inside. Stir gently to combine, then sip and enjoy. You may want to add some sugar — isomalt is only lightly sweet. A squeeze of lemon juice is also nice.
New to brewing tea? Check out Tea 101 for water temps and steep times.
Food pairings
Tea bombs are fun on their own but even better as part of a high tea or tea party!
- Baked goods: Try these tea bombs with shortbread matcha cookies, biscotti, scones with jam and clotted cream.
- Sandwiches: I love serving this recipe with light tea sandwiches.
- Brunch: A quiche makes a lovely complement to floral tea.
FAQ
Isomalt is made from beet sugar, but it doesn’t affect blood sugar in the same way as regular sugar. It’s only mildly sweet, so you may want to add honey, sugar, or another sweetener to your tea.
Keep them in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Refrigeration isn’t necessary, but avoid humidity, which can make them sticky. Do not freeze.
Yes. Gel food coloring can be added to the melted isomalt for a festive look. Use just a drop or two at a time, since the color is very concentrated.
More homemade food gifts
If you enjoy making tea bombs, try these other DIY gifts:
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Floral Tea Bombs
ingredients
- ½ cup isomalt crystals
- 3 tea bags or 3 tablespoons loose-leaf tea, any type
- 3 tablespoons dried edible flowers divided
instructions
- Place isomalt crystals in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not stir while melting. Instead, gently shake or swirl the pan until all crystals have liquefied.
- Once melted, stir briefly until bubbles subside and the liquid turns clear.
- Working quickly, pour or spoon a few tablespoons into each mold cavity. Rotate the mold to coat the interior evenly. Avoid contact with skin — the mixture is extremely hot. Let cool 20–30 minutes.
- Repeat until 6 cavities are filled, reheating isomalt as needed. It can be melted multiple times, but take care not to burn it.
- Once cooled, press 3 top halves out of the mold, leaving the remaining bottom halves in the molds. (This makes assembly easier.)
- Insert a tea bag and 1 tablespoon edible flowers or herbs to each bottom half. Arrange the tea bag string (if there is one) extend outside the mold.
- Heat a small skillet over low heat. Place one top half on the skillet for a few seconds to gently melt the edge. Quickly set it over a filled bottom half to seal. Repeat for remaining globes.
- Let sit 5–10 minutes, then press from the bottom of the mold to release the sealed globes. Handle with care — they are fragile.
- Optional: To decorate, melt a small amount of isomalt. Dip the end of a flower into the liquid and press gently onto the globe. Sugar gloves are recommended.
notes
- Fitting tea bags: Depending on mold size, tea bags may need to be folded. This is perfectly fine, but make sure the entire bag is tucked inside before sealing the halves.
- Practice makes perfect: Forming tea globes takes practice. Expect your technique to improve the more you make.
- Fragile shells: Finished globes are delicate and can shatter if handled roughly. Work slowly and with care.
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