This soothing hot drink is perfect for comforting loved ones with a sore throat and stuffy nose, or just as a treat on a cold winter day. The heat from ginger warms you up as you drink and the honey soothes the throat, with lemon juice packing a vitamin C punch for your immune system. Adding a slice of citrus like orange adds a subtle sweetness and pleasant aroma. I've been drinking it almost every day since December!
There's not much to say about this recipe other than how simple it is. I have a copy of the recipe handy to send to friends and family whenever I hear someone is under the weather. It was also a common request during flu and cold season for
The level of spice, tartness, and sweetness can be adjusted to your personal preference. The ratio of ginger to lemon juice and honey in this recipe is by far the favorite combination I've tested though, so give it a try!
here’s how to get started
INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
- a large (4") piece of fresh ginger
- water for boiling
- 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 blood orange, optional
cooking equipment and pantry items used in this hot beverage recipe
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how to make this easy ginger lemon honey tea – step by step
First, rinse the ginger and lemons under cold water to wash. There's no need to peel the ginger.
Roughly slice a 4 inch piece of fresh ginger as shown (photo 1).
Then, cut the lemons in half for juicing. It's useful to have a citrus juicer like the one shown above under the equipment needed section. You will use 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice for 2 servings (about 1 ½ to 2 lemons).
For easier juicing without a citrus juicer, you can use tongs. Just place one half of
Heat 1 quart of water and the sliced ginger in a small pot over high heat until boiling, partially cover and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes.
Strain and keep the ginger slices to reuse for another batch (photo 2). I usually will continue to add water and boil more ginger water for extra servings or to use another day.
While the ginger water is heating, wash and slice the blood orange into thin rounds if using.
mise en place – ingredient prep table for an easy to reference to-do list
| ingredient | qty | prep |
| fresh ginger | 4" piece | wash, roughly slice |
| water | 1 quart | for boiling |
| lemons | 2 | wash, cut in half juice (3 tablespoons) |
| blood orange, optional | 1 | wash, slice into thin rounds |
| honey | 2 tablespoons | |
| make ginger water | heat water and ginger bring to boil partially cover simmer 15 minute over low heat | |
| mix ingredients | combine strained ginger water, honey, and lemon juice stir to dissolve honey | |
| serve | divide into 2 cups top each cup with blood orange slice |
putting it all together
Combine the ginger water, honey, and lemon juice (photos 3 - 4). Stir to dissolve the honey. Divide into 2 cups and top each cup with a slice of blood orange. Enjoy sipping it while it's hot.
COOKING WITH KIDS - what can the kids help with?
- picking out fresh ginger and lemons
- juicing lemons
- snacking on blood orange slices
This drink may not be a favorite with all kids, but I loved it when I was growing up. You can dilute the ginger water with some lukewarm drinking water to make this recipe less spicy and to cool it down to
recipes that go well with this ginger lemon honey tea:
This hot drink would pair perfectly with a salad or snack that complements the flavors of ginger and lemon. Try enjoying it with a plate of roasted fuyu persimmon and asian pear with brussels sprouts and radish.
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ginger lemon honey tea
watch it step-by-step: the sound of cooking® video
ingredients
- 4 inch piece fresh ginger, washed and roughly sliced
- 1 quart water, for boiling
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (about 1 ½ to 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 blood orange, (optional), sliced into thin rounds
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instructions
- Heat water and sliced ginger in a small pot over high heat until boiling, partially cover and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Strain and keep ginger slices to reuse for another batch if needed.
- While ginger water is heating, slice blood orange (optional).
- Combine ginger water, honey, and lemon juice. Stir to dissolve the honey.
- Divide into 2 cups, top each cup with a slice of blood orange and serve hot.
Paige says
This is a great little recipe to have for winter! I'm hanging on to this one!
cindy chou says
Thanks! Hope you like it.
Shelley says
Wow - this really is so very simple! Which is exactly the kind of recipe you need when you don't feel well (or when you're the mom in charge of taking care of other people who don't feel well lol!). Perfect to keep on hand for the next time sniffles strike - I'm totally pinning this to save!
cindy chou says
Thanks, Shelley! Glad to hear it'll be useful, but hope you won't need it anytime soon. It's also great as an easy drink on cold days 🙂
Amy Liu Dong says
I love lemon ginger tea so much and I am drinking this every morning and before I go to sleep.
cindy chou says
Awesome! Now I feel like I'm due for a large batch.
Eileen Kelly says
I just loved this tea. It was super easy to prepare. I now will be enjoying this every day.
cindy chou says
Hi Eileen! So happy to hear you loved this recipe!
Kushigalu says
Even we prepare this hot Lemon ginger drink for sore throat. It really helps alot. Great share.
cindy chou says
Thanks! Glad you like this drink as much as I do 🙂
Naiby says
I love ginger lemon honey tea. I call it a "grog" in my language (French). I always do it whenever I feel I'll be catching a cold or something. What a great idea to use tongs to juice a lemon. I never thought of that. I guess tongs will force the juice to come out more than using our hands.
cindy chou says
Hi Naiby, thanks for sharing! I love learning and wish I could speak French like you 🙂 Tongs really help when you don't have a citrus juicer. It's something I learned from other chefs when I cooked in restaurants.
Erin says
I love the section for what kids can do! My kid is coming down with a snotty nose right now, which means in a few hours he'll be waking up crying and sick. :/ I think I'll need to make this tomorrow already!
cindy chou says
Aw, I'm so sorry to hear. Being sick is no fun - wishing him a speedy recovery! I hope he's feeling all better!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
Such a soothing beverage, especially in the cold months. Love adding ginger to our teas!
cindy chou says
Ginger really warms you up 🙂 Thanks for giving this recipe a try!
Jamie says
This is such a wonderful recipe and video! It's so relaxing to watch, I can almost imagine the taste of the tea right now. I'm planning on making this tomorrow for breakfast!
cindy chou says
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe and video - relaxing is definitely what I was going for!
Natalie says
I love ginger lemon tea. I always make it when I feel like I'm about to get sick. It really helps to soothe the symptoms. Lovely recipe.
cindy chou says
It really is comforting. Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Kari Heron says
I make ginger tea with honey all the time but I love your surprising addition of blood orange. How delightful!
cindy chou says
Thanks! It's a fun twist to a simple recipe. So glad to hear you like it 🙂