How to Make Saffron Water

Saffron water is a simple way to enjoy saffron’s distinctive aroma, flavor, and golden color. You can serve it warm or chilled and customize it with ingredients such as lemon, tea, or ginger.

This recipe uses whole saffron threads as a culinary ingredient. Hoyer Family Saffron offers Super Negin saffron threads from Afghanistan for food and drinks.

Simple Saffron Water Recipe

Makes approximately four cups. Begin with a small pinch of saffron and adjust future batches to your taste.

Ingredients

• A small pinch of saffron threads
• 4 cups drinking water, divided
• Lemon slices, optional
• Sugar or honey to taste, optional

Directions

1. Place the saffron threads in a clean, heatproof cup.
2. Warm approximately half a cup of the measured water and pour it over the threads.
3. Allow the threads to steep for about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Pour the infusion and threads into a pitcher and add the remaining water.
5. Add lemon or a little sweetener if desired, then stir.
6. Serve warm, or refrigerate until chilled and serve over ice.

Four Flavor Variations

1. Saffron Lemon Water

Add a little freshly squeezed lemon juice to the prepared saffron water. Stir, taste, and adjust to your preference. Serve with lemon slices.

2. Saffron Tea

Replace some or all of the remaining water with your preferred brewed tea. Prepare the tea according to its package directions, then combine it with the saffron infusion.

Serve warm or refrigerate for an iced version.

3. Saffron and Rose Water

Add a few drops of food-grade rose water to the prepared drink. Rose water has a distinctive flavor, so begin with a small amount and adjust to taste. Use a product labeled for culinary use.

4. Saffron Ginger Water

Steep a few thin slices of fresh ginger in the warm water with the saffron threads. Remove the ginger before combining the infusion with the remaining water. Add lemon if desired.

Choosing a Sweetener

You can enjoy saffron water without added sweetener or add sugar or honey according to your taste. Honey contributes its own flavor, while sugar offers a different sweetness.

Both honey and sugar add sugars to the drink. Honey is not a sugar-free alternative.

Serving and Storage

Prepare your drink using clean utensils and a clean pitcher. Refrigerate any prepared saffron water you are saving for later, including mixtures left to infuse overnight.

Store unused dry saffron threads separately in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, heat, and moisture.

Explore Hoyer Family Saffron

Our laboratory-tested Super Negin saffron threads are a product of Afghanistan. Learn more on our About Saffron page.

Visit our Super Negin saffron product listing for current packaging, availability, and ordering information.