Fresh Ginger Tea
Learn how to make fresh ginger tea (plus variations!) with this simple recipe. Ginger tea is warming, relaxing and soothing for upset stomachs.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
Ever had real, fresh ginger tea? It’s soothing and invigorating at the same time. Ginger tea has been consumed for centuries, and yet it has only recently crossed my radar. I love it!
I’ve been drinking ginger tea because I enjoy fresh ginger flavor, but it has a lot more going for it than flavor alone.
Ginger tea is a lovely, lightly spicy drink for warming up on cold days. It’s a light, alcohol-free alternative to a night cap. It soothes upset stomachs and eases indigestion if you over-indulge this holiday season (don’t we all?).
All in all, fresh ginger tea recipe is an excellent drink to keep in your repertoire this winter. Ready to make some?
Uses for Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a warming drink for cool weather. It’s a nice morning or afternoon pick-me-up, yet also a relaxing evening sipper. If you’re in the mood for a seasonal drink that isn’t heavy like hot chocolate can be, try ginger tea!
Ginger tea is a non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated, and virtually calorie-free drink (unless you add a sweetener). So, it’s a great option if you’re cutting back on any of the above.
Ginger tea aids digestion, helps soothe upset stomachs, and can reduce nausea. It might offer some relief to women with morning sickness as well. According to registered dietitian Lily Nichols (affiliate link), “Ginger is the most well-studied herb used during pregnancy, and has been proven effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Ginger has been used for centuries to reduce nausea and is the only herb that is almost universally considered safe by conventional standards… ginger ale or ginger sodas usually don’t have enough actual ginger to be effective.”
Please remember that I am not a doctor. Consult a doctor if you have concerns about ginger tea.
How to Make Ginger Tea
I tried several ginger tea methods, and the easiest way is truly the best way. Here’s how to do it:
- Thinly slice your fresh ginger. You don’t need to peel it first, but do rinse it and scrub off any visible dirt. Plan on about using about a one-inch piece of ginger per cup of tea.
- In a saucepan, combine the ginger with fresh water (use one cup of water per serving).
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for five minutes (or up to 10 minutes, if you want extra-strong tea). I usually think it’s pungent enough at five minutes.
- Pour the tea through a fine sieve to catch all of the ginger. If desired, serve your tea with a thin round of lemon or orange for some complementary acidity. You might also appreciate a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup, which will temper the fiery ginger flavor.
Ginger Tea Variations
Want to change up your plain ginger tea? Here are a few easy variations.
Ginger-Cinnamon Tea
For more warming spice, simply add a cinnamon stick to your tea before bringing to a simmer.
Ginger-Turmeric Tea
Turmeric offers additional anti-inflammatory benefits, plus a fun orangey hue and extra-spicy, intriguing flavor. Treat fresh turmeric the same way that you treat fresh ginger—cut it into thin slices, and add it to your ginger and water mixture.
Ginger-Mint Tea
Fresh mint lends a cooling component, which helps balance the warmth of fresh ginger. Add a few sprigs of fresh mint to your mixture before bringing it to a simmer.
Ginger Hot Toddy
Now we’re talking. Add fresh ginger to the water when you make my hot toddy recipe.
Please let me know how your tea turns out in the comments! I’m looking forward to hearing how you serve it.
Craving more warming drinks?
Or for a refreshing cold drink, try cold-brew iced tea.
Watch How to Make Ginger Tea
Fresh Ginger Tea
Learn how to make fresh ginger tea at home! It’s so easy to make with this simple recipe. Ginger tea is warming, relaxing and soothing for upset stomachs. Recipe yields 1 cup; multiply as necessary.
Ingredients
- 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger (no need to peel), sliced into pieces no wider than ¼-inch
- 1 cup water
- Optional flavorings (choose just one): 1 cinnamon stick, 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric (cut into thin slices, same as the ginger), or several sprigs of fresh mint
- Optional add-ins: 1 thin round of fresh lemon or orange, and/or 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the sliced ginger and water in a saucepan over high heat. If you’re adding a cinnamon stick, fresh turmeric, or fresh mint, add it now. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer for 5 minutes (for extra-strong ginger flavor, simmer for up to 10 minutes).
- Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully pour the mixture through a mesh sieve into a heat-safe liquid measuring cup, or directly into a mug.
- If desired, serve with a lemon round and/or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
Make it vegan: Be sure to use maple syrup, not honey.
Prepare in advance: Multiply the recipe as desired to make a big batch. Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Drink chilled or reheat for hot tea.
Leftover ginger? You can freeze ginger for future use. If you intend to use the ginger for tea later on, you might as well cut it into thin slices before freezing. Otherwise, freeze it whole for greater versatility.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Growing up in the islands ginger tea was and still is my favorite tea to drink. We always had ginger in the kitchen. I found ginger tea very comforting during the first three months of my pregnancy i drank it all day long.
I’m learning about ginger,I’m a diabetic and sense I started using it I find it does wonders for me,I even cut pieces of it on my salad
I use Nomu decadent hot chocolate….organic dark chocolate pieces….scrumptious! Chocolate ready-mix powders contain too much sugar and milk powder. Nomu is pure bliss! Makes delucious brownies too.
Thanks for this recipe! It was a nice and spicy result with a touch of lemon.
Besides lemon and honey, I add a sprinkle of ground cayenne pepper for an extra kick
Can I make this while using a kettle especially if I am short on time?
Hi Annette, I’m not quite sure if it will get the same result as you need the water to get hot enough and the ginger to simmer to get the best end result.
First time ever definitely going to use this again love it
What do you do with the used ginger slices? Can they be used as compost?
Hi Jun! Sure, that would be a great use!
Woke up in the middle of the night with an upset stomach and your recipe was the first that popped up. It was so yummy and helped so much!
Thank you!
So glad I found this! Thank you it’s great! :)
I came across the recipe in an ad on youtube, i boiled it with peeled ginger and lemon together for 12-15 minutes as said in the quick recipe. Havent added honey or sugar as the flavor is just fine for me, i see on here its easier, ill try this recipe later this week as well when the bottle is empty.
Well…..I never thought to be liking ginger tea!!!! Coincidentally, a friend gave me some mint from his garden, seen ginger water recipe from a group I follow, mint as an add-in, and gingers benefits…had to try it! OMG!!!!!
Now I have to shop to get a large supply of ginger in my freezer as I will be making a large batch to drink throughout my day! Ginger’s spicy taste is so addicting! WOW!
Sounds like a perfect combination, Connie! Thank you for your review.
Your recipe is great…a keeper! Thank you!!
I use your recipie alot. Thank you. I sometimes use 1/4-1/2 cup of the ginger tea with more fresh water to make cup of green tea. Do you if you can cold brew ginger tea?
Thank you, Mary Jo! I love your green tea idea. I have never tried cold brewing ginger tea—I’d be intrigued to hear how that works out if you try it!
Going to try this recipe tomorrow morning to help my sore throat. I’m planning on adding honey, turmeric, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar.
Hi! I like this drink very much, especially with turmeric and black pepper (to better absorb turmeric).
But, PLEASE, don’t call it tea. There is no tea in your recipe, neither black nor green. Therefore, call it INFUSION!
SO good! Needed a recipe for my gassy stomach and this did the trick. I added ground cinnamon and honey and it was perfect
Cinnamon seems like another warming touch! Thank you for sharing, Azka.
My wife was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Her outlook was
15 months with chemo. I read about the benefits of ginger and made ginger tea. She took 1 cup full twice daily and to the amazement of the doctors, the tumors had shrunk. She is now almost cancer free. Keith Lancaster.
Hi Keith, I’m so glad to hear that your wife is doing better. That’s wonderful!
Thanks for this ginger tea recipe. I knew I was in good hands when I recognized the web address from the best brown rice recipe ever. Seriously!
I love it!! I am so happy someone introduce me to this tea. Awesome!!!
I made it tonight with lemon…it is soo soothing
I’m delighted you enjoyed it, Duke!
I love ginger so don’t know why I never tried making ginger tea. Before I became diabetic, I used to make candied ginger to eat. I put sugar in water in saucepan as it was heating up. Once the sugar had dissolved I added thinly sliced ginger and continued cooking until the ginger started to turn translucent. I strained the slices, tossed in sugar and let dry out some. This left ginger syrup in the pan. I stored it in a jar and used it in iced tea and made ginger ale by mixing some ginger syrup with seltzer water.
Love ginger, this sounds awesome..will try it!
I hope you love it, Melissa!
So simple yet very tasty! I did add the lemon and honey and it makes more of a full flavor. Love this! Will continue making it!
Wonderful, Vashti! Thank you for your review.
In my online order I obviously wasn’t clear about the amount of root ginger I needed! I’ve frozen the massive but fab delivery which is inspiring me to experiment with ginger. Perfect as I have IBS and so the ginger is really calming for the tum.
Thanks, your tea is a fab addition to my wintry kitchen on this snowy day!!
You’re welcome, Janet!
Super easy, warming, healthy and delicious. This is sure to be my new addiction. ;)
Can you make the tea ahead of time , like for a camping trip and keep refrigerated? For how many days if so?
Hi Sherie, See the recipe notes :)
Hi, I don’t have any mint I’m going to try using a piece of peppermint candy instead.
Bobby
Thank you so much for the photographs! I made the first batch with way too many roots and not enough water. So went searching for a photo and also found “about one inch” (instead of the several inches of gingeroot I put into four cups of water.♥️
You’re welcome, Donna! Thank you for your review.
Also soothes a cough!!! I drink it regularly! Love it!
I came across your article as I am sipping ginger tea and just want to surf the net. Great article next time I’ll be making it as your recipe.
I have never cooked with ginger, so have never had it in my kitchen. I have read how healthy it is, so ordered a jar of ginger paste, to try it…it is ground ginger only in pure water…do you think it would be as good steeping it in my little fine tea strainer? the ground ginger in the jar smells great…
Hi Gail, sorry to disappoint but this was designed to be used with fresh so I don’t think you will get quite the same results.
Been drinking hot ginger tea every night for ages I sleep like a baby ! Its also anti inflammatory!! Keeps me away from knee replacement!!!
Thank you for this recipe. I started making ginger tea two days ago. Ever since, along with other things, my blood pressure dropped to healthy levels and has been there since. I am excited and will make ginger tea a daily routine. Love your site.
Thank you, Ramona! I’m glad you will be making this in your daily routine.
Hi Kate. Thank you for these great ideas! I’ve been cutting the ginger very thin and adding it with green jasmine tea. I first boil the water and ginger together in the microwave and steep the tea after for 3 to 4 min. I do not strain if for myself but would for guests. Leo
Great stuff, thanks! Wondering if it’d be as effective were I to steep it in my teapot? Or do you consider the stovetop simmering to be an essential step?
Hi! I found the recipe stated to work the best for the full flavor. I hope you try it and love it!
This is the best recipe I have found for ginger tea. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Marie!
I’ve been making different variations of this for years and love it. What do you do with the boiled ginger? I’ve composted some and tossed some. Would be great to find a way to use it.
Hi you can compost it or just discard if you like.
i havent made this tea yet but after reading several of the comments i have not seen anyone mention useing it for migraine headaches. I get them so bad that i sometimes end up in the hospital and one of the nurses told me about the tea but not how to ,make is, so thank you for the recipie. I look forward to making it and trying it. I will come back and give it a complete review.
Nice thanks!
I made ginger and turmeric tea. It was very nice and warming. Thanks for the recipes.
Uwa
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Bosede.
I have been making my own ginger tea and been served in the family since growing up. Now, I add a little bit of lemonade mix every time I drink a cup of it.
I once heard and have done it for years….fresh ginger tea (I add a little honey before serving) kills the first hint of a head cold. I might have a cup twice in one day or two days in a row. I had this confirmed by a Jamaican lady who was working as a home health aide. The ginger doesn’t need to be peeled…just cut 4 or 5 slices and smash a bit in a plastic bag, add water, and simmer 5 mins, strain. Fresh ginger keeps nicely in the freezer so you always have it on hand.
I made this ginger tea following your recipe. Without the lemon. Just pure ginger. Most enjoyable. Can’t wait to make another cup. My stomach was churning before drinking the tea. I breve the ginger tea helped to eliminate the churning. Thank you
I added ginger to my green tea, it was really good.
I know I’m a little late to the chat but…
I’m making 2L of your ginger tea recipe.
What can be done with the ginger after boiling? Can I save it to moe another batch later or will it be bitter?
Maybe make crystallized ginger candy?
I really don’t want to throw it away.
Hi, That is a great question. I don’t have any after uses for it. Sorry! I’m glad you are enjoying the tea.
I found a use for the spent ginger, it is crystallized ginger using honey.
So here’s a funny story…
I have the pot simmering on the stove in the honey and water with my window fan blowing out the heat.
I looked up and there are bees outside my window!
They must have been lured by the smell of the honey.
I’ve recently discovered you and your recipes! The butternut squash soup is amazing! I’m making your ginger tea right now. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome, Marysa!
Grating only 1mm of ginger root into a cup of tea each day seems to have cleared up a facial skin problem which I had put down to a food allergy. Red, mildly inflammed skin looked unsightly for a couple of years. A small piece of fresh ginger root appears to be working wonders!
That’s the best recipe and the ginger tea was lovely thanks
my name is cynthia
That’s the best recipe and the ginger tea was lovely thanks kate;-)
my name is cynthia