Yes, chrysanthemum and goji make one of the easiest ways to enjoy edible bird's nest in hot weather. You brew a light chrysanthemum-goji tea, chill it, then fold in gently prepared bird's nest for a clear, cooling drink that is barely sweet and very refreshing. Here is how to make it, plus a no-added-sugar version sweetened with monk fruit.
Key takeaways
- Steep dried chrysanthemum flowers and goji berries in just-off-the-boil water for 5 to 10 minutes, then chill.
- Soak dry bird's nest 4 to 6 hours (or overnight), then double-boil about 40 minutes before folding it in.
- Sweeten lightly with rock sugar, or make a no-added-sugar version with monk fruit.
- Serve cold over ice; one whole dry nest is roughly 8 to 14 g.
What you'll need
- 1 dry piece of edible bird's nest (about 8 to 14 g)
- 1 tablespoon dried chrysanthemum flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried goji berries
- Rock sugar to taste (or monk fruit sweetener for a no-added-sugar version)
- About 2 cups (500 ml) water for the tea, plus water for double-boiling the nest
- Ice, to serve
How to make it
- Soak the nest. Place the dry nest in a bowl of clean, cool water and soak 4 to 6 hours, or overnight, until it expands into soft strands. Rinse gently and lift out any fine feathers.
- Double-boil the nest. Put the drained nest in a heatproof bowl with fresh water, set it inside a covered pot of simmering water, and double-boil about 40 minutes until tender. Let it cool.
- Brew the tea. Rinse the chrysanthemum and goji, place them in a heatproof jug, and pour over about 2 cups of just-off-the-boil water (around 90 C). Steep 5 to 10 minutes, stir in rock sugar to taste while warm, then strain out the flowers. Leave the goji in if you like.
- Chill and combine. Cool the tea completely and refrigerate until cold. Spoon the prepared bird's nest into a glass, pour the chilled chrysanthemum-goji tea over it, and add ice.
A no-added-sugar version
To skip the rock sugar, sweeten the tea with monk fruit instead. Monk fruit (罗汉果) is a plant-based sweetener with zero sugar and a glycemic index of zero, so it adds sweetness without sugar, which is useful for anyone cutting back. It is very sweet, so add a little at a time and taste; many monk fruit blends also contain erythritol, so check the label if you want the pure form. The drink also works completely unsweetened, letting the goji's natural sweetness carry it.
Tips for the best glass
- Keep the nest delicate: fold it in after the tea is chilled rather than boiling it in the tea.
- Use good-quality whole white nest for the cleanest strands; our 5A White is a clean, everyday choice.
- Prefer a ready format? See our bird's nest drinks.
- For more no-added-sugar ideas, read our low-sugar monk fruit bird's nest.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make the chrysanthemum tea ahead of time?
Yes. Brew and chill the tea up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Fold in the prepared bird's nest just before serving so the strands stay springy.
How long does prepared bird's nest keep?
Cooked bird's nest keeps refrigerated for about 3 to 5 days in a clean, covered container. Dry, unopened nest keeps for 2 to 3 years in a cool, dry place.
Do I have to sweeten it?
No. The drink is good lightly sweetened with rock sugar, made no-added-sugar with monk fruit, or left unsweetened so the chrysanthemum and goji come through.
