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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. We’ve not given that a try, yet monk fruit or stevia would def be a lower carb option here. Be sure to let us know what you think, Michelle!

    1. Hey rawkstar! You can make and drink this tea daily, if desired.

    2. 5 stars
      Hi, I just discovered this article & thought I have those ingredients in my kitchen…, let’s try it. I just got my coffee mug & just sorta used an icecream sunday spoon & eyeballed the ingredients. Lol.
      I advise to read the entire column and don’t just assume. At the end I realized that I did not have any honey. I may have unbalanced the cause. I put brown sugar in & doubled the water. I like it. BUT, tomorrow I will pick up raw honey to create the recipe correctly. I like sour things so this was a palatable taste for me. The separate ingredients are strong on their own. You have to find your balance. It tingles the tongue but I can see where it might upset your stomach. I will try this again. Thank you.

    3. We def recommend giving it a sip with the recommended recipe version first and adjusting to taste from there. So glad you’re planning to give it a stir with honey next time!

    2. 5 stars
      Hiya I see in your detox tea comments u can make your teas to store and freeze what parts do u freeze and in the metabolism tea is it necessary to grate the ginger would slices do like what your using for detox tea is or is there a reason behind it
      Also how often do u drink the metabolism tea my metabolism is slow. I’m in my late 40s am interested in combining your detox and metabolism tea into my diet to cut down on my coffee any advice appreciated tried your metabolism tea this morning but with stevia instead and it was gorgeous. Definitely woke me up where as it takes 2 cups of coffee to have same effect love the spices.

    3. So glad you loved this tea, Maeve. For the detox tea, you can mix together all of the ingredients, just leave out water and then portion out into ice cube trays. One well = one day’s tea. Just pop out a cube, add one cup hot water and you’re good to go!

    5. Great idea! We’ve not tried it, yet it could totally work for larger batches. Just keep in mind that these warm beverages are best made fresh daily if you can.

  4. 5 stars
    Wow! When I first read the list of ingredients I thought “how can this even taste good?!” But after trying it a few times, it’s amazing! It’s a nice morning sipper that helps me wake up.

    Reply

    1. Way to try new things, Jr! And so glad you found this Metabolism Boosting Tea to taste as good as we think it is! 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    I’m in the middle of my second day. I’m spending more time than I have making the tea. Can I make the recipe in larger quantities and refrigerate it? If so, how long will it keep in the refrigerator?

    This is delicious and I felt more energy the very first day and again today!

    Thanks!

    Reply

    1. So awesome that you’re rawkin this Metabolism Tea, Tonya! So in our experience the Metabolism Tea can get a slimy sort of consistency when made ahead and consumed later. Making a big batch might not yield the best result for you. However, one of our community members created a work around that you might like to try. They multiplied and mixed together the recipe ingredients, leaving out the water. Then they froze the mixture into ice cube trays. Each morning they popped a cube out and poured 1 cup hot water over to create their tea.

    2. 5 stars
      Yes you can make it in large quantities and refrigerate it. I boil all Ingredients for 5 minutes except the honey (it is add after mixture is cooled). I use grated or thinly sliced ginger root and thinly sliced lemons.

    3. 5 stars
      Do you recommend drinking the whole cup at one sitting or throughout the day?

    4. Hi Gloria! That’s a great question. My recommendation is to drink it all in one sitting and the best time of day to drink Metabolism Boosting Tea is right after waking. It’s a great way to start your day! 🙂