This hot lemon and ginger drink is the best way to fight off a cold. Using fresh lemon and ginger, with the optional addition of honey, this drink requires little preparation and is packed with good stuff to warm you right up.
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Homemade lemon and ginger tea
Lemon and ginger tea has always been one of my favourites. Luckily, with this recipe, you can make it even when you run out of tea bags. All you need is your kettle, fresh lemon and ginger, which happen to be pantry staples at my house. This drink is a great way to stay hydrated, and provides many health benefits.
Ingredients
- Lemon - Fresh lemon contains vitamin C and has many health benefits.
- Ginger - Has a proven track record of fighting nausea and colds.
- Hot water - I boil mine in an electric kettle.
- Optionally honey - Contains antioxidants, and adds some sweetness to the drink.
How to make hot lemon and ginger drink
To each tea cup, add 2 slices of lemon and 3 slices of fresh ginger. Don't worry about peeling the ginger. Add a little squeeze of lemon, about 1 teaspoon or the juice from ¼ lemon.
Fill the cup with boiling hot water, and allow it to steep for 2-3 minutes. Leave the lemon and ginger in the cup as you drink it if you like the strong flavour. You can also remove the pieces after steeping.
Optionally, add 1 teaspoon of honey, and stir.
The health benefits of ginger
Ginger is a common ingredient in Chinese medicine. It has anti inflammatory effects, and contains plenty of antioxidants. It's been known to prevent nausea (from motion sickness, morning sickness, sea sickness, chemotherapy sickness and more), to reduce soreness after exercise, and to treat indigestion and menstrual cramps. Check out this source for more information.
Ginger is a widely available and affordable food item with many known beneficial effects, and no known negative effects when eaten in moderation. It's therefore a great spice to consume regularly. This hot lemon and ginger drink is a great place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make this in a teapot? Absolutely. I recommend adding the ginger and lemon slices to a filter inside the teapot, although you can add them straight into the water as well.
Can I use bottled lemon juice? Yes. Add a teaspoon to each cup, stir to combine then add more to taste.
Can you omit the honey? I often make my hot lemon and ginger drink without honey as I don't mind the sour lemony flavour. Alternatively, you can replace the honey with agave syrup or sugar.
Recipe
Hot lemon and ginger drink
Ingredients
- ½ lemon
- 1 cm fresh ginger
- boiling water
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions
- To each tea cup, add 2 slices of lemon and 3 slices of fresh ginger. Don’t worry about peeling the ginger. Add a little squeeze of lemon, about 1 teaspoon or the juice from ¼ lemon.
- Fill the cup with boiling hot water, and allow it to steep for 2-3 minutes. Leave the lemon and ginger in the cup as you drink it if you like the strong flavour. You can also remove the pieces after steeping.
- Optionally, add 1 teaspoon of honey, and stir.
Ashley
Perfect for all the flu going around!
Tonje
Absolutely!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
This is so what we need right now with all the germs floating around our house. I love hot tea when I feel like I'm coming down with a cold and this looks just perfect.
Tonje
I love a good cup of tea as well. It can definitely help to prevent the cold!
Heidy L. McCallum
I have been under the weather and this lemon and ginger drink seems to be helping a little which is awesome. My tummy and throat feel better. Saving for my next sick day!
Tonje
That's great, Heidy! So glad you're feeling better 🙂
Patty at Spoonabilities
This is truly the perfect warm, comforting hot drink, especially when you're a little under the weather. I never thought of just using lemon and ginger - but am definitely going to try this!
Tonje
It's so easy, isn't it! 🙂
Anita
I love this drink. I always make this when I think I'm about to be hit with a flu. So good. 🙂
Tonje
Yeah, it's great 🙂 Glad you love it!
Neville
I've been drinking this as iced tea for about 6 months I make 10lts at a time and it doesn't last me a week I don't know what a cold or flu is anymore it's so refreshing you become addicted to it. Neville
Tonje
Great idea to enjoy it as iced tea, Neville! I'm glad you like it 🙂
Sheena
I'm trying this for the 1st time in morning as I been told it clears chest (i hope so)
Tonje
Hope it works for you, Sheena! 🙂
Danna Gillerist
I agree with you