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This metabolism tea is a zesty, hydrating drink with a real bite from fresh ginger and cayenne. It comes from my 21-Day Cleanse, where I sip it between meals or right before I eat. Lemon and apple cider vinegar keep every sip tangy and bright, while raw honey mellows it all out.

On busy afternoons, I stir up a glass in five minutes and sip it while I get dinner started. Best of all, it’s caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it at any hour. It’s also one of my best weight loss drinks.

You might also like these warm drinks: Ginger Lemon Honey Tea and Spiced Golden Milk.

Glass jar of metabolism tea with a wooden lid and steel straw next to jars of apple cider vinegar, honey and cayenne.

Table of Contents

What Is Metabolism Tea?

Metabolism tea is a bold, tangy drink made with fresh ginger, cayenne, lemon, apple cider vinegar and raw honey. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free and ready in five minutes in a single jar. Each glass is mostly water, so it feels light and refreshing.

Serve it warm in the morning, or pour it over ice on hot afternoons. As for the ginger, start with 1 tablespoon for a mellow sip, then work up to 2 for more heat. Grate it finely and press it into a tablespoon to measure.

Labeled metabolism tea ingredients: apple cider vinegar, honey, cayenne pepper, ginger root, lemon and cinnamon.

Metabolism Tea Ingredients

Here’s a quick breakdown of why I use each ingredient in this recipe.

  • Fresh ginger gives the tea its spicy, warm bite, and grating it finely helps it blend into every sip.
  • Raw apple cider vinegar adds a sharp, tangy edge, and I reach for Bragg's apple cider vinegar.
  • Fresh lemon juice adds bright citrus that keeps the tea refreshing, so squeeze it yourself.
  • Raw honey softens the tang with gentle sweetness, so stir it into the warm water first.
  • Ground cinnamon adds warm, sweet spice that rounds out the heat.
  • Cayenne pepper builds a slow, lingering heat, so skip it if you’re sensitive to spice.
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Glass jar of metabolism tea topped with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.

How to Make Metabolism Tea

  1. Dissolve the honey. Stir the honey into a cup of warm water until it dissolves completely. Use warm water rather than boiling, so everything mixes easily.
  2. Add the lemon and vinegar. Next, pour in the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, then give the jar a quick stir.
  3. Grate in the ginger. Then grate the fresh ginger straight into the mason jar and stir it in.
  4. Add the spices. Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
  5. Mix and taste. Whisk everything well, or screw on the lid and shake the jar. Finally, taste it and add a little more ginger if you want extra heat.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Ginger: Use fresh ginger for the brightest, spiciest flavor.
  • Less heat: Leave out the cayenne, or add just a small pinch instead of the full amount.
  • Sweetener: Swap maple syrup for the honey, and the tea becomes vegan.
  • Iced: Pour the finished tea over ice and add an extra squeeze of lemon.
Metabolism tea in a glass jar on a gray counter beside a jar of apple cider vinegar.

Make-Ahead, Storage and Freezing

You can make a big batch of this tea ahead of time, and the freezer makes it easy. Mix everything except the water, then freeze it in 2-tablespoon cubes. Later, drop a few cubes into a mug of warm water and stir until they melt. Otherwise, mix a fresh glass whenever you want one, since the recipe makes a single serving.

Gray counter top with glass jars of maple syrup, metabolism boosting tea, and apple cider vinegar.
4.94 (117)

Ginger Lemon Metabolism Tea

Jen Hansard
My ginger lemon metabolism tea stirs fresh ginger, lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne into warm water with raw honey. These are the warming, spicy ingredients people reach for to support metabolism, ready in 5 minutes.
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Serves: 1
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 5 minutes

Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup water warm
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey raw
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar raw
  • 2 tablespoon ginger root grated
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon ground
  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions 

  • In a mason jar, stir the honey into the warm water until dissolved.
  • Add the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne.
  • Whisk well, or cover with a lid and shake to combine.
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Recipe Notes

  • Ginger Tip: Grate fresh ginger root on a fine grater for the brightest flavor. Strain it out before drinking if you prefer.
  • Spice Level: Start with a small pinch of cayenne, or leave it out if you’re sensitive to heat.
  • Vegan Swap: Honey isn’t vegan, so use maple syrup instead.
  • Make Ahead: Mix everything except the water and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Shake, then stir a spoonful into warm water.

Nutrition

Serving: 8 oz | Calories: 88 kcal | Carbohydrates: 22 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 4 mg | Potassium: 122 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 18 g | Vitamin A: 2 IU | Vitamin C: 12 mg | Calcium: 7 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

16-oz mason jars
Set of four gold-handled whisks on a black grill pan for cooking.
stainless whisk set
Set of gold measuring cups with white powder on marble surface.
Le Creuset measuring cups
Set of gold measuring spoons on a white surface for cooking and baking.
Le Creuset spoons

Common Questions

What does metabolism tea taste like?

Expect a tangy, lively sip with a warming, spicy finish from the ginger and cayenne. The honey smooths out the vinegar.

When should I drink metabolism tea?

Sip it between meals when you want something zesty, or pour a glass right before you sit down to eat. Serve it warm on cool mornings, or pour it over ice when the afternoon heats up.

How much ginger goes in metabolism tea?

Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger, depending on how much heat you like. If you’re new to ginger, start with 1 tablespoon and work up from there.

Can I make metabolism tea ahead of time?

Yes, freeze a batch made without the water in 2-tablespoon cubes. Then stir a few cubes into a mug of warm water whenever you want a cup.

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About the Author

Jen Hansard

I’m the mom who swapped Lucky Charms for green smoothies— and never looked back. Here you’ll find smoothie recipes and plant-based recipes made simple and tasty.

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4.94 from 117 votes (25 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. I’ve been drinking the tea since Monday when I started the smoothie challenge.
    It’s hard to drink I can’t tolerate all the ginger…
    I’m loving all the smoothie…my kale is a bit strong….
    Also can’t find the app…
    Hugs and happy smoothie

    Reply

    1. Hey Donna,

      Try using less ginger and see how that works for you. You might need to slowly get use to it because we are all different. Same goes for the kale too! You can always switch it with spinach if you prefer.

      Hope that helps!

  2. Good morning,
    I have a question which is not related to this post. I have 2 Inflammatory diseases which caused severe pain. I cannot exercise anymore due to this issue. I have Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis(Bladder Disease) I’m not sure if you are familiar with either one of these. My bladder condition is the issue at this time with this disease I can’t have citric acid, caffeine… any suggestions of inflammatory green smoothies??
    Best,
    Julie

    Reply

  3. I’ve been doing something very similar to this for years. I also add a tablespoon of turmeric paste to help with inflammation. I have lost 30 pounds over about three years and maintained it for the last two.

    Reply

  4. Hooooo-eeee! That’s hot. My ginger was so fresh, the leaves were attached. And I was, perhaps, a little generous with the cayenne. The grated ginger pieces were too much so I threw the whole thing in my Vitamix with an extra 1/2 cup of water. Much easier to drink that way. It tastes better at the bottom of the cup as the honey tends to settle there. lol! Thanks for the recipe. I’m looking forward to experiencing more energy!

    Reply

    1. Wow that does sound intense! I’m sure it woke you up and gave you a boost even if it wasn’t what you thought it would be like.

      This is one of my favorite morning routines and I always look forward to it 🙂

  5. Can’t wait to get started on this morning routine!
    How long will it last in the fridge?
    I’m wondering if I can prepare batches for a few days or if this will make the ingredients lose their potency?

    Reply

    1. Hey Jess,

      This should be able to last in the fridge for up to 3 days as long as you leave it in an air tight container.

    2. Hey Jess,

      You can prepare this up to a few days, as long as they are in an air tight container.