FRESH GINGER TEA



I thought about sharing a decadent holiday recipe with you today. After all, this is the time of year for indulgences like Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups with Flaky Sea Salt, Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Brown Sugar and Coffee, Parmesan Polenta with Garlicky Rapini and Black Olives, and Quick and Easy Peppermint Bark. In the midst of the abundance of decadent fare, I wanted to share something soothing, a simple tool to care for yourself and your loved ones this time of year. (Don't get me wrong, I'm a supporter of holiday indulgence. In fact, if these festive holiday recipes are what you're craving, my cookbook has all of these recipes and more.)

If you feel a little chilled, have a scratchy throat, or harbor a funky belly needing a break from holiday gluttony, nothing soothes like Fresh Ginger Tea with a heaping spoon of honey and a good squeeze of lemon. I'm guessing we could all use a simple treat for ourselves this time of year, an easy quiet moment to catch our breath in the midst of holiday shopping, parties, and crowds.

Happiest of holidays to you all!
xoxo
E






INGREDIENTS
  • 2 ounce nub of fresh ginger
  • 4 cups water
  • honey
  • 1-2 lemons
Peel your ginger then give the peeled ginger a quick whack with a mallet or the flat side of a heavy chef's knife to crush the root a bit, which will allow the flavors to release more easily in the hot water.

Place the crushed ginger in a medium saute pan with 4 cups cool tap water. Bring the water to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce heat to achieve a gentle simmer. Set your timer for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes of simmering you should have a flavorful ginger tea that's strong enough to have a nice spicy kick at the back of throat. (If you like your tea even stronger, feel free to let it steep longer.)

Pour the hot tea through a strainer into individual tea cups. Add a heaping scoop of honey ( maybe even a tablespoon or so) to each cup along with the juice of half a lemon. Stir to blend all ingredients and taste for seasoning. Add a little more honey or lemon to your liking and if the tea is a bit strong for you, you can always add a splash of hot water.

Whatever tea you don't drink right away can be stored in a jar in the fridge. I suggest storing strained ginger tea without the honey and lemon added. When you reheat the tea, add the honey and lemon just before serving.

Serves 2-3


53 comments:

  1. Comforting and delicious! A wonderful tea. Perfect when it's cold outside.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. Anything to warm ourselves this time of year! xoxo

      Delete
  2. This sounds simply perfect. Lovely photos! Happy holidays to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tess. Happy holidays to you as well. xo

      Delete
  3. Just what I need tonight thanks for the tip I'm going to make this right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh good. I hope it hit the spot for you!
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  4. Erin, this sounds lovely! My mom used to make ginger tea for coughs - but I think your honeyed version would even better than her basic version.

    And the photographs are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah Joyti, how are you?
      The honey addition is tasty and feels great on the throat!
      Hope you're well!
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  5. Happy Holidays! After all of the indulgences, this tea is just what the doctor has ordered. Love your photos too! I will be book marking this for all of my holiday cheer and food that will be taking place. Hope you and your family have the merriest of holidays and enjoy every moment. Cheers!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, I'm guessing you do the holidays right with lots of food and fun!
      Hopefully the tea will come in handy if someone needs a little ginger magic as a pick-me-up.
      Happiest of holiday to you too!
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  6. This sounds so delicious and warming! I bet it makes a super-fragrant mugful. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really hits the spot Eileen. I've been drinking tons of ginger tea these past few weeks. It always tastes so good.
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  7. As much as I want a bowl of polenta with olives or dark chocolate peanut butter cups -- this tea sounds like heaven! Oh I love ginger. This must smell amazing while brewing. Thanks as usual Erin for your lovely photos and inspiration! Merry Christmas to the Scotts :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah thanks lovely! Happiest of holidays to you guys too!
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  8. I HEART anything with copious amounts of ginger. And this is one of my favorite comforting sips, especially on a rainy day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you Carolyn. And I've always loved ginger tea, but never thought to make it myself until a few weeks ago. How we can so easily overlook the simple pleasures, I don't know;)
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  9. I just pulled this up for my husband because ginger and lemon are two of his favorite flavors in drinks, and we've been on a multiple cup of hot tea a day kind of binge. Thanks for calming and refreshing recipe, Erin. Also - these photos - that cutting board and that POT are just too beautiful for words. I hope you're enjoying the holidays and are all bundled up for the storm tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When we lived in Asia, ginger tea was always a delicious option and finally I decided to make it myself. Dang it's so easy and totally satisfying. I hope you and your husband enjoy.
      We need to stay cozy with this big storm! xoxo

      Delete
  10. I'm pretty sure I'm on the verge of coming down with a mega icky cold/flu bug so I'm going to be drinking this in vast quantities over the next few days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear ya. My family has been seriously ailing this week too. I was fighting something off myself and I swear that ginger tea helped keep me well.
      Hang in there Kathryn. I hope you keep the flu away. xoxox

      Delete
  11. Yes! I agree with you, amidst the holiday gluttony, a soothing ginger drink is all one might need. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Erin, and hope you and your family have the loveliest holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Magda, you too. Have a wonderful holiday!! xoxo

      Delete
  12. This is exactly what I need tonight-- it's cold and rainy and I've been going to hard. I even have a scratchy throat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jess, I hope this helps you out. Stay well! xoxo

      Delete
  13. This is perfect! I've been sick for over a week now and it's exactly what I need in my life. Happy holidays, E! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Kasey, sorry to hear you've been sick for a week. It's rough out there. My girl has been home sick all week and I've been dosing myself up on Ginger Tea and Elderflower Syrup.
      Hope you feel better soon,
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  14. This definitely sounds like the feel better tea...I am trying to perfect my chai these days...I am ready to ask my favorite restaurant if I can hang out in the back to see the exact spices they mix. Happy sipping in a warm and cozy nest to all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh I love homemade chai. So so good! xoxo

      Delete
  15. Somehow, I don't think I've ever tried fresh ginger tea. I need to remedy that, quick! Stunning photos as always, Erin. Happy holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Kathryne, ginger tea is super common throughout Asia, but for some reason it's never had the same hold here.
      I think you'll love it, especially with plenty of lemon and honey:)
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  16. I haven't come visit for a while. Beautiful photos Erinn. I want to be you when I grow up.
    I love ginger. Made my own crystalized ginger last year - it was really good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn, so nice to hear from you! I hope you're well:)
      Oooh, I'd love to make crystallized ginger - the stuff is so good!
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
    2. I am doing well Erinn. I joined a baking club. We're baking through Rose Levy Beranbaum's new cookbook (The Baking Bible). I have a couple of posts on my bloc - come visit if you have a chance.

      Delete
    3. I'll go check it out. Sounds fun! xoxo

      Delete
  17. Just the thing I desperately need after a glutinous week traveling for work. Comfortable **sigh**.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Here I am, sitting in bed nursing a cold and this tea looks like just what I need. Now I just need to find someone to make it for me! Happy Holidays to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah Kate, I wish I could send you a cup through the computer. Feel better:)
      xo
      E

      Delete
  19. I have to admit, my last two posts were all about indulgence, and now I need to make this ginger tea! Lovely post.
    Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristie, he he...I always think it's good to intersperse indulgence and self-care throughout the holidays. A good healthy mix, eh?
      Happy holidays to you,
      E

      Delete
  20. Oh, my favorite. My mom used to make this tea for me, when I was sick or otherwise. It's perfect. Also, I love making this into a syrup in the summer for ginger ale-- served over ice with lime. So good!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelly, yes! Such a great idea to make this as a summery ginger ale syrup. Love!
      xo
      E

      Delete
  21. This is absolutely nice during a cold night. Hot ginger tea can warm body nicely so I can have a very good sleep. Honey and lemon are a great combination with ginger. But I always use brown sugar too. It is not bad, if you like a ginger flavor dessert, can try to add some sweet potato that cut into small cubes. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yung, I bet brown sugar is a nice twist- great flavor. And I really like your idea of combining sweet potato and ginger for a dessert. Yum.
      Thanks so much for stopping by,
      E

      Delete
  22. Happy New Year, Erin! It's going to be colder than it should be here tonight, and hot cup of ginger tea sounds perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa! SO nice to hear from you. I hope 2015 is going well for you so far. xoxoxo E

      Delete
  23. Tea with honey? YES! I had to got used to tea with milk too...! All in all cannot change all English people! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've been making this the last few weeks and am so enjoying it! i needed this kind of post for this time of year. thank you and happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary Jo, I'm glad the tea has been good to you! We all need that kind of TLC this time of year, especially with all the nasty colds going around.
      xoxo
      E

      Delete
  25. Oh my gosh, I LOVE this! I grew up around my mom drinking ginger tea every night and never used to enjoy it until recently.. and now it's pretty much all I drink. I love your method of making a big batch at once -- I need to do it ASAP!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I don't know about you, but I spend every chilly day that I have to go outside hoping against hope that I stay healthy:) It's been working surprisingly well lately…… I've probably cursed myself by bringing this up.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mmm want to taste this!

    http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr

    ReplyDelete

So good to hear from you... I appreciate each and every note you leave for me!

Thanks,
E