Lemon Ginger Honey Tea

With winter right around the corner bringing cold season, I would like to introduce you to a tea I make that is my go to elixir whenever I start feeling under the weather. I have found it either stops a cold in its tracks or significantly lessens symptoms for a quicker recovery time. It is made from whole natural ingredients which are easily accessible from your local grocery store. Feel free to tinker and customize your cup. Perhaps you like more lemon? Squeeze in the other half. Prefer a sweeter cup of tea- drizzle in extra honey. Maybe you like a more potent punch of ginger? Let it steep longer… Go for it!

It is made with four ingredients that are powerhouses of nutrition that will give your immune system an added boost:

Lemon- This citrus fruit is packed with vitamin C a powerful antioxidant and flavonoids which help boost health and fight disease.

Honey- Raw honey has been used as a folk remedy for centuries. It is excellent for sore throats and acts as a cough suppressant. It is packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Ginger- The root has a long history of being used in traditional/alternative medicine. It is a Superfood packed with gingerol- its main bioactive compound which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cinnamon-Is a spice used all the way back in Ancient Egyptian times. Loaded with antioxidents it is one of the worlds most powerful spices. There are two types of cinnamon, look for Ceylon or “true cinnamon”.

***This is not a drink for infants in that it contains honey.

This recipe makes 4 servings of tea. I like to make extra to have in the fridge for easy reheating.

Materials:

4 cups water

2 lemons

4 inches of fresh ginger

4 Tablespoons raw honey (preferably local but not necessary)

4 cinnamon sticks plus 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 favorite mug or tea cup

Directions:

1. ) Measure 4 cups of water into a sauce pan. Peel then thinly slice or grate the ginger. Add the ginger to the water in the sauce pan. Place the pan on medium heat until it reaches boiling. Once it reaches boiling turn off the heat and let the ginger steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the ginger with a slotted spoon. Reserve the ginger if you want to add later for a more potent ginger kick.

2.) While ginger is steeping in the hot water, squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lemon into your cup.

3.) Carefully pour the hot ginger infused water into your mug, filling to a little below the rim of the mug. At this point when the tea has had a moment to cool, stir in your honey then sprinkle with cinnamon.

For a lovely presentation float a slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick on top. Enjoy! Feel free to adjust your ingredients. If you are making extra tea to store in the refrigerator, add all the lemon juice from the 2 lemons to the ginger/water infusion. Add the honey once you have reheated the tea.