My mom made this ginger tea all the time for me growing up when I got sick. I absolutely hated it as a kid but now it brings me a lot of comfort especially when I am under the weather. This honey lemon ginger tea is so soothing and refreshing, perfect if you need a little energy or decongestion.

I’m sure everyone’s had some sort of variation of this tea when sick, and it’s super easy to make fresh at home. You can even make it ahead of time and either fridge or freeze it for delicious instant ginger tea.

Here’s how to make a soothing ginger tea at home!

What is Ginger Tea?

Ginger tea is a mixture of steeped ginger slices in water with honey and either lime or lemon juice. Because of the additional ingredients, some people call this honey lemon ginger tea or lemon ginger tea. But if someone says ginger tea, they usually assume honey and lemon are in it.

You make ginger tea either with fresh ginger, ginger juice, or dried ginger root in tea bag form. However, I find you get the best flavor with fresh ginger.

What Does Ginger Tea Taste Like

Ginger tea has that signature spicy kick that makes you go “ahh” when you drink it. However, ginger by itself can have a really strong taste which makes it unpleasant to drink straight up. So, honey and lemon (or lime) make the tea taste sweeter, floral, and a little sour.

Essentially, you’re making a warm ginger lemonade, without the added sugar. The steeped ginger tea is mild, so with sweetener and citrus, it’s really pleasant and refreshing.

Ginger Tea Benefits

There’s a reason why you drink ginger tea when you’re sick or have a sore throat!

The most beneficial ginger property for a sore throat is anti-inflammation, which helps give you relief. It’s also most known for its anti-nausea properties thanks to a bioactive compound called gingerol.

Additionally, honey has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that, when paired with a Vitamin C-packed citrus and ginger, is a truly sickness-fighting combination.

What Ginger Tea is Good For

After listing all the health benefits of ginger tea, you’re probably wondering when this would be good to drink! Honey lemon ginger tea is perfect for when you’re feeling:

• Nausea
• A sore throat
• After a large meal (aid digestion)
• Congestion
• An upset stomach

Of course, you can drink ginger tea when you’re perfectly healthy, too! It’s delicious, refreshing, and very light and makes the perfect morning, afternoon, or evening bevvy.

Does Ginger Tea Have Caffeine?

Although the name has tea in it, ginger tea does not have caffeine in it.

Meaning, it’s caffeine-free and friendly to anyone who has caffeine sensitivities. Ginger tea is technically not a “tea” in traditional terms, which refers to any steeped tea leaf from the tea plant, camellia sinesis.

It’s mostly just an easy name to refer to this cozy drink in which you steep or infuse ginger into hot water.

However, some brands may have ginger tea that has green tea leaves in it, so if you buy it from the store make sure to doublecheck the ingredients before consuming.

Best Ginger to Use

The best ginger to use for ginger tea is fresh ginger. It has the most nutrients and the best flavor, and a little goes a long way. You’ll first peel your ginger then slice them into dollar coin pieces to steep in water.

You could also use ginger juice instead of steeping ginger for the same effect, just note that ginger juice tends to be much stronger than sliced ginger so add 1 tsp at a time to test how strong your tea is. You can either juice your ginger or buy it prejuiced.

Dried or ground ginger also works in this recipe, but you’ll need more of it to achieve the same flavor since it’s not as strong as fresh ginger or ginger juice. You’ll also need to strain it out afterward to get rid of the dried ginger bits.

How to Make Ginger Tea

Here’s what you’ll need to make a cozy ginger tea at home:

• 4 – 5 slices of fresh ginger (add more for more ginger flavor)
• 1 tbsp honey
• Half a lemon or lime
• 2 cups of water

Ginger Tea Recipe

1. Steep Ginger: Add your ginger slices and hot water to a small pot and boil for 5-10 minutes. Taste to see if it’s strong, if not, let it boil more until your desired strength.
2. Add Honey and Lemon: Squeeze lemon or lime juice into your ginger tea and stir honey until dissolved.
3. Assemble Drink: Ladle or pour your honey lemon ginger tea into your favorite heatproof cup. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Ginger Tea Variations

The beauty of this simple ginger tea recipe is that you can customize it to your liking! Here are some variations of ginger tea you should try:

Sweeteners

Besides honey, you can use any sweetener you’d like. For a classic taste, you can use regular cane sugar or agave. Maple syrup is another choice that will give you a slight caramel flavor.

You could even use brown sugar for a slight molasses taste. Use your favorite sugar-free sugar as well, like allulose, Splenda, or monkfruit for a sugar-friendly drink!

Citrus

I actually prefer lime in my ginger tea, it just tastes a little more floral and fruity compared to lemon. You could also use orange as well for an extra delicious variation. Grapefruit is also another option, but it might leave a more tart and bitter taste to your tea.

You can experiment with other citrus fruits like calamansi, kumquat, or yuzu for a refreshing twist!

Flavors

Want to explore beyond lemon ginger? You can add a dash of cinnamon for a spicy, warm cinnamon ginger tea that will also help with any congestion or sore throat. You could even add a small dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Tips:

Here are some tips for making a soothing ginger tea at home!

• Make a Large Batch: If you’re already making some ginger tea, might as well make as much as you can and store the rest in the fridge for later, especially if you’re sick. That way, you can easily reheat it in the microwave for a quick and easy ginger remedy.
• Freeze Leftovers: You can also freeze leftovers and consume them later on! Pour your leftover ginger tea into ice cube trays, then freeze for 2-4 hours or until completely frozen. Then pop them in a ziploc bag and enjoy it either as an easily warmed-up beverage or iced ginger tea!
• Leave Ginger in Your Cup: Want extra ginger flavor? You can leave a ginger slice or two in your cup to get some extra flavor. You can mash it at the bottom of your cup to get the spicy ginger juice out, too.