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I’ve been making the best detox tea recipe since 2014 (and yes, I know I may be biased… but I really don’t think so). Let me tell you why—my recipe uses fresh lemon juice, real ginger root, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
Using fresh ingredients enhances the flavors and creates a concentrated tea, giving you better results. I’ve made up a few variations over the years, yet this is my go-to recipe. It’s even included in the nutrition plan of my Plant-Based Cleanse to promote weight loss.
Ingredients in Homemade Detox Tea
While the ingredient list is somewhat flexible, this is my favorite combination. It’s simple, yet the combination of ingredients is so delicious and I find it works so well for my body.
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best. I don’t recommend a shelf-stable version.
- Ginger root: Fresh ginger root is robust in flavor and super affordable in the produce section.
- Cayenne pepper: A small dash of this powerful seasoning brings some heat.
- Warm water: Never use boiling. This can kill any of the live enzymes in the fresh lemon juice, which helps with digestion.
How to make it taste even better
If you’re having a hard time drinking the detox tea, try omitting the cayenne pepper and adding a little bit of raw honey or another natural sweetener to the cup. This helps balance out the acidity and makes it slightly more pleasant if lemon and spiciness aren’t your thing.
Detox Tea Health Benefits
Aside from just feeling better overall when I drink this, there are some very specific benefits to using these ingredients together in one simple homemade recipe. Here are the top detox tea health benefits that motivate me to drink this when I’m feeling like I need a good full-body reset.
- The lemon promotes alkalinity in the body and also kick-starts the liver for the day encouraging the release of digestive fluids. Lemon juice is also a powerful antioxidant because it contains citrates, flavonoids, vitamin E, vitamin C.
- Fresh ginger root brings warmth to the tummy while boosting both the metabolism and circulatory system.
- Capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, has been shown to help with liver repair, especially from alcohol damage.
Using Detox Tea for Weight Loss
This detox cleanse tea recipe can be a wonderful weight loss beverage. It contains ingredients that can induce feelings of fullness and suppress hunger. Here are a few quick tips to help you get the most benefits from this homemade weight loss tea… if weight loss is a goal.
- Consume 2-3 times a day (in between meals) for the best results.
- Drink on an empty stomach to activate the digestion system the best. If you have a sensitive stomach or struggle with acid reflux, feel free to have oatmeal or something first.
- Use organic ingredients to aid in the cleansing process.
- Blend ingredients together to retain as much fiber as possible.
- Munch on the ginger root once the tea is finished— I love the burst of flavor.
- If you have sensitive teeth, allow the tea to cool off and sip through a straw.
How to Make the Best Detox Tea
This recipe for detox tea is almost as easy as using a tea bag, yet has additional health benefits thanks to the fresh ingredients. Here’s how I make the best detox tea:
- Heat water, but remove from heat before it boils. Boiled water will start to break down the nutrients from the lemon juice and ginger root, which we don’t want!
- Slice ginger root and squeeze lemon juice into a mug. Add a dash of cayenne, as well. I like adding these before the water so that they start at the bottom of the mug.
- Pour warm water into a mug and allow to steep for 5 minutes. This gives the ginger time to release into the water. You can even gently press down on the soaking ginger with a spoon to help release the juices.
- Sip and enjoy the warming experience.
Detox Tea Cube Tip
You can make homemade detox tea cubes ahead of time by freezing ingredients (except the water) in an ice cube tray. When ready to enjoy, add a frozen cube to a cup of hot water.
Common Questions
The combination of lemon, ginger, and cayenne pepper creates a warm and spicy beverage that truly wakes up the body. Void of any artificial sweeteners, you may find this detox tea bitter at first. Yet after a few days, you will adjust to the flavors and begin to crave them for the taste and detox tea benefits you’ll quickly experience.
When trying to lose weight, use a tea blend that can curb hunger and activate the digestive system. Fresh lemon juice, ginger root, and cayenne pepper all work together in my detox tea recipe to promote weight loss gently and naturally.
Having a daily homemade detox tea as a healthy habit that goes a long way. Doing this alone will not transform your life (sorry!) but it is a wonderful habit that nourishes and heals your body. It takes a lot of healthy habits to lose weight, gain energy, and feel amazing. Drinking the best detox tea every day can definitely be a vital part of your transformation journey.
Detox tea is a natural cleanse recipe that helps cleanse the body by supporting the liver and kidneys in flushing out toxins, improving digestion, boosting metabolism, and potentially aiding in weight loss.
Starting each day with a detox tea is a great ritual to embrace if you’re making wellness a priority. Aside from the health benefits, a morning detox tea can trigger a pattern of healthy habits throughout the day.
Homemade Detox Tea Alternatives
Here’s some more recipes to support the detox process that you might enjoy. They’re all made with fresh produce at home, giving you the best results, and also making it affordable to do long-term.
- Turmeric Tea: The combination of turmeric and black pepper is used to combat inflammation throughout the body aiding in digestion and serving as a powerful homemade detoxification to cleanse the body.
- Metabolism Tea: Apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and other spices are paired together to kick-start your metabolism and curb your appetite if weight loss is a goal, making it one of the most effective body detox recipes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic: I recommend sipping this mid-afternoon as a delightful blood sugar regulator instead of another caffeinated beverage, and it’s also a great recipe for cleansing.
Best Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 inch ginger root thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juiced
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat water just below boiling.
- Add sliced ginger and lemon juice to a mug.
- Pour hot water into mug and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
- Add a dash of cayenne.
Notes
- Use fresh ginger for best results. Ground ginger will taste good, yet won’t give your body the benefits that fresh ginger root does.
- Cayenne pepper will help with the cleansing process. I know it’s a strong ingredient— it can be omitted if you aren’t able to tolerate them.
- You want to make sure your water isn’t boiling because this will start to kill off the medicinal properties of the lemon and ginger root. Warm water is just fine, or even room temp if that’s easier for you.
Love this morning tonic! I’ve been drinking it every morning since the last 21 day cleanse. Gets me going in the morning…great start without the caffeine❤️
So true, Kim!
I’ve been drinking it every morning! Absolutely love it! It’s like hot lemonade without the added sugar. Much healthier too. The spice from the cayenne is also very nice. I like it spicy, so I usually add a little more. 🙂
I never thought of it as hot lemonade but I like that!
I LOVE this morning tonic. I’m a morning coffee kinda girl normally, but this helped me break that cycle. The ginger and lemon balance perfectly with the cayenne (you can even add more cayenne if you like it that way – I do!)
That’s the beauty of this. You feel great. No caffeine crash. And you can follow the recipe exactly or add a little more or less to taste.
I’m so glad you love this, Jen! And you’re so right, this tonic tastes great if you follow the recipe or you make your own tweaks. Cheers!
I love this drink. The spices make the lemon water much more enjoyable!
The spices are a great combo with the lemon and they’re so warming!
I think i should try this
I think you should too! 🙂
will definitely try skipping my morning cup of tea for this.
Hi Emmah,
This is the perfect pick-me-up + a great swap for your morning coffee or tea. It also gets your metabolism reving! Make sure + reach back out. I’d love to hear how you’ve liked swapping in our Morning Tonic!
If you don’t have fresh ginger root, can you use ground ginger? If so, how much do you recommend?
I love your webpage and thank you so much for kick starting my healthier lifestyle!!
Hi Esther,
Don’t have fresh ginger on hand? You can try and swap in 1 tsp of ground ginger, but you will be missing out on some of the fresh ginger’s health benefits.
LOVE! I will drink this every morning from now on!! Super easy to prep too! Thank you for the ice cube idea!
Awesome! You’re welcome, Krista!
Nice way to start the morning
It is, Clara!
Love this…. great way to start my morning!
I agree, Kim!
Very refreshing way to start the day. Thank you for sharing awesome recipes with us.
You’re welcome, Elsie!
I saw your comment about drinking cool with a straw. Do you think that the tonic as affective if it is cold?
Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
If you’d prefer to drink your morning tonic with a straw. I would follow all of the instructions as seen above, and just wait until it’s cool enough to pass through a straw instead of sip. That way you’re still benefiting from the heat with aids in infusing your glass with ginger + lemon.
Hope this helps!
I really enjoy drinking this in the morning and often have it even when I am not cleansing!
Me too, Kate!
I tried the tonic and the cayenne made my face red and flushed and felt miserable all day. Allergic? Does anyone have the experience? I would rather do without the cayenne in this morning tonic.
Hi April,
Definitely sounds like you may have had an allergic reaction. I’d check in with your physician to look into any food allergies or sensitivities.
And don’t worry about leaving the cayenne out. You’ll still benefit from the lemon + ginger!
Can I add a couple of TBSPs of the Natural cold/Flu Remedy to hot water in replacement of the fresh ginger & lemon juice?
Hi Megan,
The sugar content in the Natural Cold + Flu remedy is a little bit higher than you’d want to have during the cleanse, due to the added honey. But if you need a little added sweetness to stomach the Morning Tonic in the AM. Honey or maple syrup is a great idea.
Thank you for your great recipes. I have a question about the lemon added to hot water. I thought lemon became more acidic when mixed with hot water and could be harmful to your teeth enamel. I’d appreciate reading your reply.
Hi Noreen,
You’re right. Unfortunately some of the healthiest foods for us, like most fruits, are acidic, and can hurt the enamel of your teeth overtime. We’ve kept the ratio of water to lemon here low…to give our body major health benefits while keeping our teeth in mind.
Here are some additional tips if you’re concerned about your dental health…
-Brush your teeth before your morning tonic. It might sound counterintuitive, but it actually creates a barrier to help protect your teeth.
-Rinse your mouth after enjoying your morning tonic with fresh water
-Or wait for your morning tonic to cool and enjoy it with a straw to avoid contact with your teeth.