How to Make Ginger Tea or Tisane

Co-authored by Erica Docimo, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 Approved

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Ginger is a common spice used in a variety of recipes and beverages. This root contains a number of health benefits that make it great in hot tea or tisane (medicinal beverage). On its own, ginger has a number of great qualities, such as antioxidants, antinausea elements, anti-inflammatory agents, and elements that may even prevent cancer.^{[1]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} For a traditional cup of ginger tea, try steeping a fresh piece of ginger root in water. If you’d like to detox your body during a cold, opt for a mixture of ginger, turmeric, and honey to ease your symptoms. You can also detox by opting for a cup of ginger tea with honey and lemon instead. In a matter of minutes, you’ll be ready to reap the benefits of a delicious cup of ginger tea!

Ingredients

Hot Ginger Tea

1 1 inch (2.5 cm) chunk of ginger root, washed
2 cups (470 mL) of water
1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of honey
12 fluid ounces (350 mL) of ginger ale (optional)
1 black tea bag (optional)

Turmeric-Ginger Tea

2 cups (470 mL) of water
½ tsp (1 g) of ground turmeric
½ tsp (1 g) of fresh or ground ginger
½ tsp (1.32 g) of ground cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey
1 wedge of lemon
1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of milk (optional)

Ginger Tea with Honey and Lemon

½ lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey
½ tsp (1 g) of grated ginger
½ tsp (1 g) of ground turmeric
8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of water
Cayenne or black pepper

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing Hot Ginger Tea

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1
Scrub and cut a piece of ginger root. Take a section of ginger root and peel away the outer layer with a vegetable peeler. Next, use a small knife to cut away a 1 inch (2.5 cm) cube of fresh ginger. You’re only making 1 cup of tea with this recipe, so you don’t need to include a lot of the actual root.^{[2]
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- You can find fresh ginger root at most grocery stores.
2
Add ginger and water to a small saucepan. Set a saucepan on the stovetop to boil the water and pour 2 cups (470 mL) of water into the pot. Continue by adding the chunk of ginger to the water, and turning the stovetop burner to the highest setting. Make sure that the piece of ginger is fully immersed in the water before you continue.^{[3]
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- To speed up the boiling process, place a lid on the saucepan.
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3
Wait for the water to boil and then lower the heat setting. Stay by the saucepan for several minutes until the water and ginger mixture begins to boil. Remove the lid from the saucepan and adjust the burner heat to the lowest setting. Since the tea is brewing now, aim to apply a slow, steady amount of heat to the mixture.^{[4]
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- Keep in mind that the flavor of the ginger has to steep into the water before you can drink it. Otherwise, the tea won’t be as potent or effective.
4
Strain the ginger and water into a cup after 10 minutes. Turn off the stovetop and pour the tea over a small, metal strainer. Hold the strainer over a mug as you pour, separating the chunk of ginger from the rest of the tea. To sweeten the drink, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of honey into the mug.^{[5]
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- Double or triple the recipe if you want to make larger amounts of tea at once. After storing the leftover tea in the refrigerator, pour it into a mug and reheat the beverage in the microwave for at least 30 seconds.
- Ginger tea tastes best if you drink it within 1 day.^{[6]
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Did you know? To create a quicker version of hot ginger tea, microwave a mug of ginger ale for 2 minutes or less. Then, steep a generic black tea bag in the mixture for the specified brewing time on the box.^{[7]
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You can also make an easy cup of ginger tea by adding 1½ tsp (3 g) of ground or grated ginger into a mug and pouring in 1.5 cups (350 mL) of boiling water.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Brewing Turmeric-Ginger Tea

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1
Boil 2 cups (470 mL) of water in a small pot. Pour some water in a saucepan and turn the stovetop onto the highest heat. Wait several minutes for the water to boil before adding in any ingredients. If you want to speed up the boiling process, put a lid on the pot or saucepan to contain the heat.^{[9]
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- For reference, the water will be bubbling and steaming when it’s at a boil.
2
Throw in equal amounts of ground ginger and turmeric. Take ½ tsp (1 g) each of both ground turmeric and ground ginger and add them into the boiling water. To add some extra flavor to the tea, try adding ½ tsp (1.32 g) of ground cinnamon to the mixture as well. If you want the recipe to be more potent, double the amount of spice added to the water.^{[10]
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- Use fresh ginger if you want the flavor to be a bit stronger.
3
Lower the heat and let the mixture steep for 10 minutes. Turn the stovetop down to a simmer so that the ginger tea can brew. Keep in mind that the tea will be more concentrated when you let it steep for longer. Wait for at least 10 minutes before turning off the heat.^{[11]
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- Let the tea brew for 15 minutes if you want the drink to be stronger.
4
Strain the tea into a mug and add any extra ingredients. Take a metal strainer and set it over a large mug. Pour the tea through the strainer, catching any loose grains of spice as the steeped mixture fills the mug. At this point, sweeten your tea with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey, or another sweetener of your choice.^{[12]
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- To make your tea slightly creamier, try adding 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of milk.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Steeping Ginger Tea with Honey and Lemon

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1
Boil enough water to fill a 12 fl oz (350 mL) mug of tea. Fill a kettle with water and set it on the stovetop. Make sure that you’re heating up enough water to prepare the tea, especially if you plan on pouring several mugs worth of it. Turn the stovetop onto the highest heat, and wait several minutes for the kettle to whistle before turning the stovetop off.
- If you don’t want to use a kettle, you can boil water in the microwave, as well.
Add ½ tsp (1 g) each of grated ginger and ground turmeric to the bottom of the mug. Additionally, add a pinch of cayenne or black pepper into the tea to give it an extra punch of spice.
3
Pour in the water and let the ingredients brew for 5 minutes. Add in the boiling water, filling the mug up to your desired amount. Use a spoon to stir all the ingredients into the tea. Keep in mind that the grated ginger won’t dissolve, but instead sit at the bottom of your mug. Continue mixing these ingredients for around 5 seconds to fully stir them into the water.^{[13]
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- If there’s any powdered medicine you can add to your tea, consider dissolving it into the drink.
- To sweeten the drink, add in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey into your beverage. Make sure that the honey dissolves all the way before you start drinking the tea.
Tip: Pour any of the extra ginger tea mixture into a jar to save for later. If you’re feeling sick or just want to sip on some tea later, keep the jar in your fridge for up to 1 day.^{[14]
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