Recipe

Soothing Ginger Tea

A bright, cozy ginger tea with lemon and honey that tastes like you have your life together, even if you made it in pajama pants.

By Matt Campbell

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4.9

A steaming mug of homemade ginger tea with lemon slices and fresh ginger on a wooden cutting board in warm window light

Jump to Recipe

When you want something warm, calming, and quietly powerful, ginger tea shows up like that friend who brings soup and doesn’t ask follow-up questions. It’s spicy in a clean way, citrusy if you invite lemon, and sweet if honey is part of your journey.

This is a real weeknight recipe: a knob of fresh ginger, water, and about 10 minutes between you and a mug of comfort. You can make it gentle or fiery, strain it or not, and tweak it based on what’s in your kitchen. The only rule is: taste it. If it makes you pause mid-sip and go, “Okay, wow,” you did it right.

Quick note: This is comfort-in-a-mug, not a cure. If you’re drinking it because you feel unwell, it can be a lovely ritual, but it isn’t a substitute for medical care.

Fresh ginger being sliced on a cutting board next to a lemon and a small jar of honey

Why It Works

Fast flavor: simmering fresh ginger pulls out warmth and bite quickly without fancy ingredients.
Balanced heat: a pinch of salt and optional honey round out ginger’s sharp edges so it tastes cozy, not harsh.
Flexible strength: slice for a cleaner tea, grate for a bolder cup, or simmer longer when you want maximum oomph.
Low effort, high reward: the whole thing is one small pot and a strainer, which is my favorite genre of recipe.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Cool completely, then store ginger tea in a sealed jar or bottle for up to 4 days. For best results, chill it promptly and use clean containers.

Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming, not boiling. Add honey after reheating so it keeps its mellow flavor.

Drink it iced: Pour over ice with a squeeze of lemon. If you like it extra refreshing, add a few mint leaves.

Freeze: Freeze cooled tea in ice cube trays, then pop cubes into hot water for instant ginger tea, or blend into smoothies for a spicy kick.

Common Questions

Do I have to peel the ginger?

Not strictly. If your ginger’s fresh and the skin looks clean, you can just scrub it well and slice. Peeling gives a slightly cleaner flavor, but the difference is small.

How do I make it stronger?

Use more ginger, grate it instead of slicing, or simmer 5 to 10 minutes longer. Grated ginger gets intense fast, so start with less and taste as you go.

When should I add honey?

Add it off the heat after the tea cools for a minute or two. It keeps honey’s flavor more mellow and avoids that cooked sweetness.

Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh?

Yes, in a pinch. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger per 2 cups water. Simmer 5 minutes, then let it settle before pouring so the spice doesn’t all end up in your teeth.

What else can I add?

Lemon or orange for brightness
Cinnamon stick for cozy warmth
Turmeric (fresh or a pinch of ground) plus black pepper for a deeper, earthy note
Mint for a cleaner finish

Note: This tea is for comfort and flavor, not a medical treatment. Ginger can be intense for some people. If you’re pregnant, on blood thinners, or managing reflux, check with a healthcare professional about what’s right for you.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Small saucepan or pot
Cutting board and chef’s knife (or a microplane for grating)
Fine-mesh strainer (optional)
Mug or heatproof glass
Spoon for tasting and adjusting

I make ginger tea when my kitchen feels too loud, even if nothing’s actually making noise. It’s the reset button. Slice ginger, simmer, inhale that steamy gingery perfume, pretend I’m a person who journals. Half the time I drink it standing by the stove like a gremlin with a mug, and somehow it still works. If you need a small win today, let it be this.