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Some days I just want a mug of something bright, spicy and sweet, and my homemade ginger lemon honey tea is it.
I keep a jar of this in the fridge and scoop it into hot water whenever I want a mug. It takes a few minutes to make and tastes like a spicy lemon drop.
Table of Contents
Why I Love Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
It tastes amazing, and it’s the first thing I reach for when I want something warm. Here’s what I love about it:
- It’s sweet, tangy and a little spicy, like a lemon drop in a mug.
- Layer a jar in just a few minutes, then a warm mug is ready whenever you are.
- Just three whole-food ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
- A reader favorite: “I drink at least 2 cups of this every single day. It replaced my coffee and it’s refreshing. I also like it cold.” (Judith W.)
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need three ingredients to make this Ginger Lemon Honey Tea. I like to batch it out into a large mason jar and store in the fridge until needed.
- Fresh lemons: Fresh lemon juice is high in vitamin C and adds a bright, tangy flavor. Use organic lemons or really scrub the peel to remove any pesticide or wax residue. You can create fresh lemon juice by squeezing by hand or using a juicer.
- Fresh ginger root: Ginger is anti-inflammatory, and it brings a warm, spicy kick. Found in the produce section. You’ll want to wash it well and cut into thin ginger slices. If you can’t find it, try using herbal ginger tea from a box.
- Raw honey: Raw local honey adds natural sweetness and balances the tartness of the lemon and ginger. Use raw local honey or Manuka honey for the best results. Infants under one year of age should avoid honey as it can cause botulism.
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How to Make Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
This ginger, lemon and honey tea is ideally made in a large batch to have all season long. It’s ready in just a few minutes. You can make it fresh with hot water, slice of lemon, ginger, and honey, or you can make it in bulk like I do. Here’s my preferred method:
- Cut lemons and fresh ginger root into thin slices.
- Alternate layering into an airtight jar (ex: mason jar).
- Slowly, pour honey over the lemon slices and fresh ginger root and fill jar to the top. Seal tightly.
- Store in the refrigerator until needed.
- When ready to use, add a large scoop to a mug of hot water. Stir well and sip it down.
Storage Tip
I love using mason jars to store my homemade tea concentrates, like this ginger lemon honey tea that’s in a quart-size mason jar with a wide mouth.
Common Questions
Ginger lemon honey tea is a simple, flavorful way to enjoy a warm drink made from whole ingredients. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, lemon is high in vitamin C, and raw honey adds natural sweetness.
Yes! That’s how I make it. Layer lemon slices, ginger and honey in a jar, store it in the fridge, and scoop a few tablespoons into hot water whenever you want a mug.
Honey rounds out the tartness of the lemon and the spice of the ginger, and it lets the flavors mingle in the jar. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, and together they make a mellow, sweet-spicy mug.
More Natural Remedy Recipes
Thirteen years ago, I started on this wellness journey and tried more homemade recipes than I can count. Some were a bit wild and I only did once, whereas others were winners I still make. Here are a few that have stuck with me:
- Elderberry Syrup: A homemade syrup I keep stocked, and when you can turn it into elderberry popsicles, I’m 100% in.
- Homemade Fire Cider: This bold, tangy tonic is not for the faint of heart.
- Sleep Tea: A cozy, caffeine-free herbal tea for winding down.
Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
Jen HansardVideo
Ingredients
- 2 lemons organic
- 2 inch ginger root
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Slice the lemons and ginger. Layer the slices in a mason jar, alternating lemon and ginger.
- Slowly pour the honey over the slices, letting it sink down and around them. Fill the jar to the top with honey and seal tightly.
- Refrigerate. Over time, the mixture will thicken into a loose jelly.
- To make tea, scoop some of the mixture into a mug of hot water, including a few pieces of lemon and ginger. Steep for 3 to 4 minutes before sipping.
Recipe Notes
- Prep Tip: Scrub the lemons well, since the peel goes into the jar. Slice the lemons and ginger thinly so they release more flavor; there’s no need to peel the ginger.
- Honey Tip: Raw, local honey gives the best flavor. Let just-boiled water cool for a minute before stirring in the mixture.
- Serving Ideas: Stir a spoonful into hot water for tea, or into chilled sparkling water for a cold drink. Add a few lemon and ginger slices to the glass.
- Storing: Keep the sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and scoop with a clean, dry spoon each time. If the honey firms up, let the jar sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
Do you drink this year round?
Hi Mary,
You can drink our All-Natural Cold + Flu Remedy all year round, or when you feel a cold or flu coming on. I usually keep this at the ready all winter long + reach for it occasionally during a summer cold. Hope this helps!
Hi
I’ve made this following your instructions about 2 weeks ago, using organic honey. Now the honey has went to the bottom of the jar whilst water from the fruit sits above, is this normal? How long is it meant to take to turn into loose jelly?
Hi Roni,
It can take a few weeks, giving your jar a quick shake occasionally can help. But you will find that different honeys, do give your remedy a different consistency. Jelly or not – you’re still fueling your body, warding off disease, and helping with seasonal allergies too!
…gave me diarrhea
Hi John,
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that. Ginger is suppose to help your tummy + digestion, not upset it. Have you ever had a similar result when consuming ginger?
It could be a reaction to the honey as well…some are sensitive to honey and can get diarrhea from it…
H1! Honey is good for diabetes type 2? Cold caught up suddenly while walking evening time for one h ours Pl guide me thanks
Hi Hare,
Worried about the natural sugars in honey with diabetes. Tea with lemon and ginger can still be beneficial when fighting a cold or flu!
Is there a way to preserve lemons during the process, since mine went from yellow to dark after just 3 days. Thanks
Thelma, the lemons will change color a bit during the process of preserving them with the ginger and honey, so that’s normal (check out the video below the recipe to see how ours look).
Hi! I like the recipe, but the advice to add the mixture to hot water is actually a bad one. Honey loses all of it’s healthy attributes in temperature over 40 Celsius degrees. By adding it to hot water you kinda turn it into white sugar. I love raw honey, I learnt a lot about it from local honey festival where I always talk to beekeepers, so that’s where I got this information from.
(Excuse my English, it’s not my motherlanguage. Sorry!)
Hi Isabella,
Worried about nutrient loss, it’s totally ok to add this mixture to warm water below 40 celsius!
Hi Ashley,
My raw honey is not runny like yours. Would Manuka Honey work instead?
Hi Vaishali,
Mine isn’t either. Honey’s consistency can change a lot based on how it’s harvested and where it’s from. But we definitely suggest reaching for local, raw honey. While I haven’t tried Manuka Honey in this recipe, it’s health benefits could be a great addition!