As the weather cools here in Germany, I find myself reaching for a warm cup of tea more often. Lately, I’ve been craving something that takes me back to Morocco: a pot of Moroccan mint tea paired with buttery sesame shortbread cookies.

I lived in Morocco for over two years, and it shaped my relationship with food in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until later. I fell in love with so many things I tasted there, from everyday meals to the little food rituals that made an ordinary afternoon feel special.

Even now, after living in several different countries, certain flavors stay with me. Sometimes, all it takes is one familiar taste to bring back memories of a place, the people I knew there, and the life I was building at the time.

Today, I’m bringing a little of that feeling into my kitchen in Germany with Moroccan mint tea and a simple sesame shortbread cookie. My version might not capture every detail of how tea is prepared in every Moroccan home, but it’s a ritual I love returning to, and that’s what makes it special to me.

Why Moroccan Mint Tea Means So Much to Me

Living abroad is a funny thing. You can have wonderful experiences in a place and still acknowledge that not every part of life there was easy. When I think back on my time in Morocco, I remember both the challenges and the moments that made it special. The food and the experiences I shared with people remain some of my favorite memories.

Moroccan mint tea has become one of those flavors I carry with me. Making it at home gives me a way to revisit that chapter of my life without needing to travel anywhere.

I also love how something as simple as preparing tea can become an intentional moment. You gather your ingredients, let the mint steep, pour a cup, and give yourself a reason to pause.

And tea doesn’t have to be something you enjoy alone. It’s an invitation to sit with a friend, catch up with someone you love, or simply make a little space in your day for connection.

That’s the feeling I wanted to capture with this recipe.

What Is Moroccan Mint Tea?

Moroccan mint tea is commonly associated with green tea, fresh mint, and sugar. The combination creates a refreshing, aromatic drink, with sweetness balancing the tea’s more pronounced flavors.

For my version, I use gunpowder green tea and fresh mint. Gunpowder tea has tightly rolled leaves that unfurl as they steep, creating a flavorful base for the mint.

I also briefly steep and rinse the tea leaves before making the final pot. It adds a little extra care, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature.

Sugar is optional, so you can adjust the sweetness to your preference. I recommend starting with less, tasting the finished tea, and adding more if you like.

Making Moroccan Mint Tea at Home

First, prepare the gunpowder green tea. Add the tea leaves to a clean Moroccan teapot, another heat-safe teapot, or a saucepan. Pour in a small amount of boiling water and allow the leaves to steep briefly.

Reserve the first infusion instead of throwing it away. Then rinse the leaves with a second small pour of boiling water and discard the rinse water.

Next comes the fresh mint. Add a generous handful of mint leaves and sprigs to the pot, along with your reserved tea infusion and sugar, if you’re using it. Pour in the remaining hot water and allow everything to steep together.

Once the tea has developed its flavor, stir to dissolve the sugar, then pour it into your favorite tea glasses or mugs. If you’re using a saucepan rather than a teapot with a strainer, strain the tea as you pour.

Finish with a fresh mint leaf, find someone to share a cup with, and enjoy.

A little reminder: You don’t need a traditional Moroccan teapot to enjoy this at home. Use what you have, take your time, and make it your own.

The Perfect Pairing: Sesame Shortbread Cookies

Of course, a pot of tea deserves a little something to go alongside it.

For this tea-time pairing, I’m making sesame shortbread cookies. They’re buttery, lightly sweet, and subtly nutty from toasted sesame seeds. The texture is crisp and tender, making them a lovely companion to a warm cup of mint tea.

I like that these cookies feel a little special without requiring an elaborate baking project. The dough comes together with familiar pantry ingredients, and you can shape it into a simple scored square or use cookie cutters for individual shapes.

The olive oil adds another layer of richness, while vanilla rounds out the flavor. A tiny sprinkle of sea salt on top is optional, but it’s a nice finishing touch if you enjoy that sweet-and-salty contrast.

How to Make Sesame Shortbread Cookies

Start by creaming the room-temperature butter and oil together until well combined. Add the sugar and mix until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Gradually incorporate the flour, mixing in batches so the dough comes together without becoming too difficult to handle. Add the toasted sesame seeds, vanilla, and salt, and mix until everything is evenly distributed.

Turn the dough onto parchment paper and press or roll it into a thin square, about 1/4 inch thick. Score it into even pieces, or roll it out on a lightly floured surface and cut shapes with cookie cutters.

Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. Bake until golden, then move them to a wire rack to cool.

The hardest part might be waiting for them to cool before reaching for one.

Creating Little Rituals That Feel Like Home

One thing I’ve learned from living abroad is that home isn’t always tied to a single place. Sometimes, it’s a collection of familiar flavors, routines, and memories that you carry with you.

For me, cooking has become one way to reconnect with places I’ve lived and experiences that have shaped me. I might be standing in my kitchen in Germany, but the smell of fresh mint and green tea can take me back to Morocco in an instant.

And I don’t think these rituals need to be complicated to be meaningful. A homemade drink, a simple cookie, and a few minutes spent with someone you care about can be enough.

That’s what I hope you’ll take from this little tea-time recipe. You don’t have to recreate an entire experience to enjoy a piece of it. Sometimes, you just need to put the kettle on.

Make It a Tea-Time Tradition

If you make this Moroccan mint tea and sesame shortbread pairing, I’d love to hear how you enjoy it. Do you have a favorite tea-time snack? Is there a drink that reminds you of a place you’ve lived, someone you love, or a special season of your life?

Make a pot, invite someone to join you, and let the conversation unfold. And tell me in the comments: What drink are you reaching for today?