This post may contain affiliate links and we will earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links.
Ginger tea is delicious, aromatic, and incredibly easy to make at home. The warm, spicy flavor of fresh ginger makes it especially comforting on a cold evening, but you can enjoy this simple homemade tea any time of year.
In this article, we’ll learn how to make ginger tea with fresh ginger in a few simple steps, along with a few easy variations to try.
Health Benefits Of Ginger
Ginger tea is a simple drink made by steeping fresh ginger in hot water. It’s often paired with ingredients such as lemon and honey, which complement ginger’s naturally spicy flavor.
Fresh ginger has a strong flavor, so you can adjust the amount depending on how mild or intense you’d like your tea to be. Start with a small piece of ginger and add more the next time if you prefer a stronger cup.
Usually, ginger tea consists of simple ingredients like fresh ginger, water, lemon, and honey. However, there are plenty of other ingredients you can add to customize the flavor.
Ginger has many wonderful benefits and is a great natural remedy that’s easy to prepare.
What is Ginger Tea?
Ginger tea is a natural tea made with fresh ginger and hot water. It is usually combined with lemon and honey, making it a delicious, soothing, and nourishing tea.
Usually, ginger tea consists of essential ingredients like ginger, lemon, honey, and water. However, you can add other things to your tea to cater to your taste.
How To Make Ginger Tea
Most ginger tea recipes follow the same basic method: combine fresh ginger with hot water, allow it to steep, and then add your preferred extras.
The recipe below is a simple method for making ginger tea with fresh ginger and lemon. You’ll also find several variations below if you’d like to experiment with different flavors.
How To Make Ginger Tea
This soothing ginger tea with fresh lemon and honey is immune-boosting and great for digestive upset.
Ingredients
- Ginger root (fresh and organic)
- Organic lemon (sliced)
- Honey (optional)
- Fresh water
Instructions
- Clean the fresh ginger using a brush, then peel the rind using a vegetable peeler.
- Cut it into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Fill a small saucepan with 2 cups water. Add 4-6 pieces of fresh ginger to the pan.
- Bring the water to the boil over medium/high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat so that the mixture is on a low simmer. Leave the water to simmer for at least 5 minutes for a light flavored tea, and up to 30 minutes for a stronger beverage.
- Strain the liquid into your tea cup of choice. You can squeeze the ginger root to get all of the gingery goodness out of the plant material.
- Squeeze one or two slices of fresh lemon into each cup.
- Add your sweetener of choice, like organic honey. I use about 1 teaspoon per cup.
- Stir it thoroughly and enjoy.
Notes
Makes 2 cups.
Drink immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Basic Recipe – Using Fresh Ginger And Lemon
For a classic homemade ginger tea, combine fresh ginger with hot water and finish it with lemon and honey. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient according to your taste.
Prefer your tea stronger? Add more ginger or let it steep for a little longer. If you like a milder flavor, use less ginger or dilute the finished tea with additional hot water.
There are lots of ways to make ginger tea, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors.
Ginger Tea Variations
Use Ginger Pulp Instead of Fresh Ginger
If you like to make fresh ginger juice, don’t throw away the leftover pulp. You can freeze it and save it for your next cup of ginger tea.
When you’re ready to make tea, simply add some of the frozen or thawed pulp to hot water and let it steep. Strain the tea before drinking, then add lemon or honey if you’d like.
The flavor will be slightly different from tea made with fresh slices of ginger, but it’s a handy way to make use of leftover ginger pulp.
Use Crushed or Grated Ginger for a Stronger Flavor
If you prefer a more intense ginger flavor, try grating or crushing the ginger instead of slicing it.
Use the same basic method as you would for regular ginger tea, then strain the tea well before serving. Grated or crushed ginger can make the finished drink more intense, so adjust the amount according to your taste.
Add Ginger Juice
Fresh ginger juice is another easy way to add plenty of ginger flavor to your tea.
Add a small amount of fresh ginger juice to hot water, then finish with lemon and honey if desired. This is particularly handy when you already have ginger juice prepared in the refrigerator.
Make a Batch
Go ahead and make a bigger batch if you’d like to have ginger tea ready to enjoy throughout the day.
Allow the tea to cool, transfer it to a clean, covered container, and refrigerate it. You can enjoy it chilled or reheat a serving when you’re ready for another cup.
For best quality and food safety, refrigerate homemade tea promptly and use it within a few days.
Ginger Tea Flavors
There are a number of ingredients you can add to your homemade ginger tea to give a different flavor and provide additional benefits.
Other types of organic tea leaves/tea bags – if you want some added flavor, you can add your favorite tea leaves to the mix and let it steep for a minute or two. I especially like ginger with green tea!
Add herbs or spices – you can add cinnamon, mint, turmeric, black pepper, or cardamom to the mixture when boiling to try something different.
One of my favorite combinations is a cinnamon stick and fresh turmeric, both added to brew with the fresh ginger. It makes a warm, wintery, and super nourishing tea!
Dried fruit – looking for some fruity fun? Toss in some organic dehydrated fruit, like apple or mango. Adding dried fruit to your ginger tea will also add some natural sweetness. You may even find you don’t need honey.
Elderberry Syrup – I love to add a spoonful of homemade elderberry syrup to homemade ginger tea for an extra immune-boosting tea! It adds some sweetness, cuts the spice from the ginger just a bit, and gives that extra boost of health benefits.
Final Thoughts To Steep In
Now that you know the possible health benefits of ginger, does it make you want to give ginger tea a try?
It might be an acquired taste for some, but there are so many ways to alter the recipe to make it more to your liking! I hope you’ll try it out!
Let me know below – do you drink ginger tea? What’s your favorite recipe?