To make ginger tea, slice about 1 ounce of fresh ginger, simmer it in 3 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain and add honey or lemon if you like. Ginger tea is naturally caffeine-free, warming and a little spicy, and it takes only ginger and water. Below is our main stovetop recipe, plus a quick lemon ginger tea with honey, a turmeric ginger tea, a version made with ground ginger and an iced mango ginger tea made with Nano Turmeric.
Tips before you start
- Pick firm, fresh ginger. Look for roots that feel heavy and firm with smooth, shiny skin, not soft, wrinkled or moldy.
- Wash well. The FDA advises washing produce under running water and scrubbing firm produce with a clean brush; it does not recommend soap or produce washes (FDA).
- Slice thin or grate. More cut surface means more flavor in less time. Grating gives the strongest cup.
- Control the heat. Longer simmering and more ginger make a spicier tea. Start with the recipe, taste, then adjust.
Fresh Ginger Tea (Stovetop)
The classic way to make ginger tea from fresh ginger root: slice, simmer and strain. Simmer longer for a spicier cup. Prep 5 min | Cook 15 min | Makes 2 cups.
Ingredients:
- A 2-inch piece (about 1 oz / 30 g) fresh ginger root
- 3 cups (720 ml) water
- 1 to 2 tsp honey or maple syrup per cup (optional)
- Lemon slices, to serve (optional)
- Wash the ginger. Rinse the ginger under running water and scrub it with a clean brush. Fresh young ginger does not need peeling.
- Slice. Cut the ginger into thin coins, about 1/8 inch thick. Thinner slices give more flavor.
- Simmer. Add the ginger and water to a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes. About 2 cups of tea will remain.
- Strain and serve. Strain into mugs. Stir in honey or maple syrup and add a slice of lemon, if you like.
Lemon Ginger Tea with Honey
A quick single mug made with grated ginger and a kettle, no stovetop needed. Bright, soothing and lightly sweet. Prep 5 min | Makes 1 mug.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger, or 4 to 5 thin slices
- 1 cup (240 ml) just-boiled water
- 1 to 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- Steep. Put the ginger in a mug or teapot, pour over the hot water, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Strain. Strain out the ginger, or leave the slices in if you like a stronger cup.
- Finish. Stir in the lemon juice and honey. Taste and adjust.
Turmeric Ginger Tea
Earthy, golden and gently spicy: fresh ginger simmered with turmeric and a pinch of black pepper. Prep 5 min | Cook 10 min | Makes 2 cups.
Ingredients:
- A 1-inch piece (about 1/2 oz / 15 g) fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, or a 1-inch piece fresh turmeric, thinly sliced
- A small pinch of ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) water
- Honey and lemon, to taste (optional)
- Simmer. Add the ginger, turmeric, black pepper and water to a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain. Strain into mugs through a fine-mesh sieve. Turmeric stains, so rinse the sieve and pan right away.
- Finish. Sweeten with honey and add lemon, if you like. Stir before each sip, because ground turmeric settles.
Quick Ginger Tea with Ground Ginger
No fresh ginger? Make a cup from the spice jar in about 5 minutes. The flavor is milder and a little earthier than fresh. Prep 2 min | Makes 1 mug.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cup (240 ml) just-boiled water
- 1 tsp honey
- A squeeze of lemon (optional)
- Stir. Add the ground ginger to a mug, pour in a splash of the hot water and stir to a smooth paste, then add the rest of the water.
- Rest and sip. Let it stand for 3 to 5 minutes, stir in the honey and lemon, and stir again as you drink, because ground ginger settles.
Iced Mango Ginger Tea with Nano Turmeric
A fruity, chilled twist: cooled ginger tea shaken with our mango-flavored turmeric drink mix and lime. Prep 3 min | Makes 1 glass.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh ginger tea, chilled
- 1 sachet Nano Turmeric (5 g)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Shake. Add the chilled ginger tea, Nano Turmeric and lime juice to a jar, close the lid and shake until the drink mix dissolves.
- Serve. Pour over ice and drink right away.
Nano Turmeric is our mango-flavored turmeric curcumin drink mix, and one sachet (5 g) is one serving (Product Facts). Based on tests by an independent laboratory, its bioavailability can be up to 35X that of pure turmeric extract. Shaken into cooled ginger tea, it makes a fruity, golden iced drink. You can also try it in our ginger turmeric shots.
Does ginger tea have caffeine?
No. Ginger is naturally caffeine-free: USDA lists 0 mg of caffeine for both raw and ground ginger (USDA; USDA), and 0 mg for brewed herbal tea (USDA). Ginger tea only contains caffeine if it is blended with black, green or another true tea, so check the label on tea bags. If you are cutting back on coffee, see coffee alternatives and how much caffeine is in tea.
What is ginger tea good for?
Ginger tea is mainly a warm, flavorful, caffeine-free drink. On the research side, NCCIH says ginger has been studied for several types of nausea and vomiting, but notes that most of those studies tested dietary supplements rather than foods (NCCIH), so a cup of tea is not the same as the amounts used in research. Read more in ginger benefits.
Plain ginger tea has almost no calories, about 2 per cup by our calculation from USDA data for brewed herbal tea (USDA). A tablespoon of honey adds about 64 calories (USDA), so go easy on the sweetener if you drink several cups a day.
Turmeric ginger tea: why add black pepper?
Black pepper adds a little heat and contains piperine. NCCIH notes that combining curcumin, a compound in turmeric, with piperine is one way to improve curcumin bioavailability (NCCIH), and a frequently cited study used 20 mg of piperine with 2 g of curcumin (Shoba et al., 1998). A pinch of pepper in tea provides far less than that.
Curcumin is also only a small part of turmeric: pure turmeric powder averaged 3.14% curcumin by weight in one lab analysis (Tayyem et al., 2006). The 1/2 teaspoon in our turmeric ginger tea is about 1.5 g of turmeric (USDA), or roughly 47 mg of curcumin in the whole pot by our calculation, before some is left behind in the strainer. For a stronger turmeric drink, see our turmeric ginger honey drink.
How to store ginger tea
- Refrigerator: keep strained ginger tea in a covered glass jar and drink it within about 3 to 4 days. Drink it cold over ice or reheat it gently.
- Make a concentrate: simmer twice the ginger in the same amount of water, strain and refrigerate, then mix it half and half with hot water when you want a cup.
- Freeze fresh ginger: whole ginger keeps well in the freezer and grates easily while frozen, so you always have some on hand.
Variations
- Honey citron ginger tea: stir a spoonful of Korean honey citron (yuja) tea, sold as a marmalade-style syrup in jars, into a mug of ginger tea.
- Cinnamon ginger tea: simmer a cinnamon stick with the ginger.
- Mint ginger tea: add a few fresh mint leaves while the tea steeps.
- Ginger green tea: steep a green tea bag in the finished ginger tea for 2 to 3 minutes. This version contains caffeine.
- Cold-brew ginger tea: add sliced ginger to cold water and refrigerate overnight for a milder, refreshing drink.
Safety notes
Ginger is a common food, but it can still cause side effects for some people. NCCIH lists abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and mouth and throat irritation (NCCIH). If ginger tea bothers your stomach, make it weaker or have it with food. If you take any type of medicine, NCCIH advises talking with your health care provider before using ginger, and it also suggests consulting your provider if you are pregnant; little is known about ginger while breastfeeding (NCCIH).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to peel ginger for ginger tea?
No. The skin on fresh young ginger is thin, so scrubbing it well under running water is enough. Peel older ginger with tough or dry skin using the edge of a spoon.
How much ginger should I use for one cup of tea?
About 1 teaspoon of grated ginger or 4 to 5 thin slices per cup is a good start. Use more ginger, or simmer it longer, for a spicier tea.
Should I boil or steep ginger for tea?
Both work. Simmering sliced ginger for 10 to 15 minutes makes a stronger, spicier tea, while steeping grated ginger in just-boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes is quicker and milder.
Does ginger tea have caffeine?
No. Ginger is naturally caffeine-free, and USDA lists 0 mg of caffeine for raw and ground ginger. Ginger tea only has caffeine if it is blended with black or green tea.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh?
Yes. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger per cup. The flavor is milder and earthier, and the powder settles, so stir it as you drink.
Can I reuse the ginger slices?
You can simmer the slices a second time, but the tea will be weaker. Add a few fresh slices to boost the flavor.
How long does homemade ginger tea last?
Strained ginger tea keeps in a covered jar in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Drink it cold or reheat it gently.
When is the best time to drink ginger tea?
Whenever you enjoy it. Because ginger tea has no caffeine, it works in the evening as well as in the morning. If ginger bothers your stomach, have it with food.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Check with a qualified healthcare professional before using ginger, turmeric or supplements if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
Learn more: read ginger benefits and how to use fresh turmeric root, or try our golden hour turmeric latte and mango smoothie.
