There's something wonderfully comforting about wrapping your hands around a warm mug of ginger lemon honey tea on a chilly winter day. This timeless beverage combines three simple ingredients that have been treasured for centuries: pungent fresh ginger, bright citrus lemon, and sweet raw honey. Whether you're looking for a cozy afternoon pick-me-up or a soothing evening ritual, this ginger tea recipe delivers warmth and comfort in every sip.
At Bee Inspired Goods, we've perfected this classic honey tea recipe to create what we lovingly call "Dr. Feelgood Tea" - a delicious concentrate that transforms your tea-making routine into a simple, soul-warming experience. Best of all, you can make a large batch that stays fresh in your refrigerator for up to a month, ready whenever you need a moment of comfort.
What Makes This Ginger Lemon Honey Tea Special
Unlike traditional tea recipes that require steeping fresh ingredients each time, our approach creates a concentrated mixture that infuses over time, developing deeper, more complex flavors. The honey acts as a natural preservative while drawing out the beneficial compounds from the ginger and lemon, creating a syrup-like consistency that adds instant warmth and sweetness to hot water.
This recipe yields approximately 24 servings, making it perfect for:
- Busy weekday mornings when you need something quick and comforting
- Cold winter evenings by the fireplace
- Sharing with family and friends during gatherings
- Keeping on hand throughout the season
Try our brand-new Haute Cocoa Chai for delicious winter warmth
The Star Ingredients: Ginger, Lemon, and Raw Honey
Fresh Ginger: Warming and Aromatic
Ginger brings a distinctive spicy warmth to this tea that's both invigorating and comforting. This knobby root has been used in traditional remedies for centuries, particularly in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. While some find ginger's sharp, peppery flavor intense on its own, when balanced with honey and lemon, it creates a perfectly harmonious blend.
For this recipe, you'll need fresh ginger root about the size of half your hand (roughly 2-3 inches). Fresh ginger provides the best flavor and aroma - avoid ground ginger or ginger paste for this preparation.
Bright, Tangy Lemon
Lemon adds a refreshing citrus note that cuts through the richness of honey and balances the spiciness of ginger. We use 2 large organic lemons, sliced thin with the peel intact. The peel contains aromatic oils that infuse beautifully into the honey mixture, adding depth and complexity to the final tea.
Lemons are naturally rich in vitamin C and contain beneficial plant compounds. When choosing lemons, select organic when possible since you'll be using the entire fruit, peel and all.
Raw Honey: Nature's Golden Sweetener
The foundation of this recipe is premium raw honey, and the variety you choose can significantly impact the flavor profile of your tea. While the original recipe recommends Linden Basswood Honey for its delicate herbal notes, any raw honey from your local beekeeper will work beautifully.
Best Honey Varieties for This Tea:
- Linden Basswood Honey: Delicate with subtle herbal notes that complement ginger without overpowering
- Wildflower Honey: Rich, complex flavor that adds depth to the tea
- Orange Blossom Honey: Light citrus notes that enhance the lemon
- Spring Honey: Mild and versatile with floral undertones
Raw honey retains all its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds because it hasn't been heated or filtered. You'll need 11 ounces (about 1 cup) of raw honey for this recipe.
How to Make Ginger Lemon Honey Tea Concentrate
Ingredients:
- 2 large organic lemons, thinly sliced
- 2 fresh ginger roots (each about the size of half your hand), peeled and thinly sliced
- 11 ounces (approximately 1 cup) raw honey
- 1 airtight glass jar (quart-sized mason jar works perfectly)
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Wash your lemons thoroughly, even if they're organic, as they'll be going into the mixture with peels intact. Slice them into thin rounds, about ¼-inch thick. Remove any seeds as you go.
Peel your ginger root using the edge of a spoon (this removes the thin skin without wasting the flesh) and slice into thin rounds or matchsticks.
Step 2: Layer Your Jar
In your clean, dry airtight glass jar, begin layering your ingredients. Start with a layer of lemon slices at the bottom, followed by a layer of ginger slices. The alternating pattern ensures even distribution throughout the jar.
Step 3: Add the Honey
Pour honey over each layer as you build. The honey is thick, so take your time and allow it to sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices, filling all the gaps. Use a clean spoon or chopstick to gently press down and eliminate air pockets.
Continue layering lemon and ginger, pouring honey over each layer, until you reach the top of the jar. Finish by ensuring honey covers all the fruit and ginger completely - this prevents spoilage and allows for proper infusion.
Step 4: Seal and Store
Seal your jar tightly and place it in the refrigerator. Over the next 24-48 hours, you'll notice the mixture becoming more liquid as the lemon and ginger release their juices into the honey. This is completely normal and creates the concentrated syrup that makes this tea so special.
The mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to one month. Over time, it will develop a gel-like or jelly-like consistency - this is perfectly normal and indicates proper infusion.
You can infuse honey with roses too
How to Prepare Your Cup of Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
Making a cup of tea from your concentrate couldn't be simpler:
- Boil water and let it cool for 1-2 minutes (about 200°F is ideal
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of the honey-ginger-lemon mixture to your favorite mug, including whole pieces of ginger and lemon
- Pour hot water over the mixture
- Stir well and let steep for 3-4 minutes
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired
The longer you let it steep, the stronger the ginger flavor becomes. Adjust the amount of concentrate to your taste preferences - start with 2 tablespoons and increase if you prefer a more robust flavor.
The Comfort of Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
This warming beverage has been a go-to comfort drink for generations, and for good reason. The combination of warming ginger, tangy lemon, and soothing honey creates a tea that's perfect for:
- Winter mornings: Start your day with warmth and comfort
- Afternoon pick-me-ups: A cozy break that's naturally energizing
- Evening relaxation: Wind down with a soothing cup before bed
- Cold weather companionship: Perfect for curling up with a good book
- Throat comfort: The honey coats and soothes irritated throats
- Digestive support: Ginger has been traditionally used to support healthy digestion
Customizing Your Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
Once you've mastered the basic recipe, feel free to experiment with variations:
Add Fresh Herbs:
- Fresh mint leaves for a cooling contrast
- Rosemary sprigs for an earthy, aromatic twist
- Thyme for additional depth
Spice It Up:
- Add a few whole cloves to the mixture
- Include a star anise for subtle licorice notes
- Layer in sliced turmeric root for additional warmth
Citrus Variations:
- Substitute one lemon with orange slices
- Add lime slices for extra tang
- Try Meyer lemons for a sweeter, more floral note
Honey Exploration: Try different honey varietals to discover your favorite flavor combinations. Each variety brings unique tasting notes that can completely transform the character of your tea.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This ginger lemon honey tea pairs wonderfully with:
- Freshly baked honey cookies or scones
- Light breakfast pastries
- Afternoon tea sandwiches
- Cheese and crackers for a cozy evening
- Simply enjoyed on its own as a comforting ritual
Consider setting up a tea station with your honey concentrate, hot water in a thermos, and small bowls of additional garnishes like fresh lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. This creates a beautiful presentation for gatherings and allows guests to customize their cups.
Storage and Shelf Life
Your ginger lemon honey tea concentrate will last up to one month when stored properly in the refrigerator. Here are some storage tips:
- Always use clean utensils when scooping from the jar to prevent contamination
- Ensure the lid is tightly sealed after each use
- If you notice any off odors or mold (rare with honey's natural preservative properties), discard and make a fresh batch
- The mixture will become more jelly-like over time - this is normal and doesn't affect quality
Make it Last Longer: If you find yourself running low, you can actually reuse the same jar. Simply add fresh honey to the existing ginger and lemon pieces for another round of infusion. The flavors will be slightly milder but still delicious.
Why We Love This Recipe at Bee Inspired Goods
At our Maryland farm, we understand the value of simple, time-honored recipes that bring comfort and joy. This ginger lemon honey tea concentrate represents everything we believe in: quality ingredients, minimal processing, and the natural goodness that comes from the hive.
We've been making variations of this tea for years, both for ourselves and to share with visitors to our Owings Mills honey retail store. There's something magical about watching the honey slowly draw out the flavors and juices from the ginger and lemon, creating a golden elixir that brings warmth to cold days.
The best part? This recipe supports local beekeepers when you choose honey from small, ethical sources. Every jar you use helps support sustainable beekeeping practices and the crucial work honey bees do in pollinating our food supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?
A: We strongly recommend using fresh organic lemons with the peel for the best flavor and aroma. The peel contains aromatic oils that significantly enhance the tea's complexity.
Q: Do I need to peel the ginger?
A: Yes, peel the ginger before slicing. The skin can be tough and slightly bitter. Use the edge of a spoon to easily scrape off the thin skin.
Q: Can I make this without refrigeration?
A: Raw honey has natural preservative properties, but we recommend refrigeration for food safety, especially since you're adding fresh fruit and ginger which contain moisture.
Q: How strong is the ginger flavor?
A: The ginger provides a pleasant warming sensation without being overwhelmingly spicy, thanks to the balancing sweetness of honey and brightness of lemon. If you prefer less ginger, start with one root instead of two.
Q: Can I add this to cold beverages?
A: Absolutely! While this recipe is designed for hot tea, you can also stir the concentrate into cold water, sparkling water, or even cocktails for a ginger-honey sweetener.
Q: Is this safe for children?
A: This tea is generally safe for children over one year old (raw honey should never be given to infants under 12 months). Adjust the amount of ginger for young children who may find the spice too intense.
Q: What if my honey crystallizes in the mixture?
A: Crystallization is natural and doesn't affect quality. Simply place your jar in warm (not hot) water until the honey reliquefies.
More Delicious Honey Recipes to Try
If you love this ginger lemon honey tea, you'll also enjoy these warming beverages and recipes from our collection:
- Chamomile Lavender Tea with Honey - Perfect for evening relaxation
- Ginger Iced Tea with Honey - The refreshing summer version
- Honey Ginger Cookies - Pair perfectly with your tea
- The Best Honey for Tea - Learn which varietals work best
Share Your Ginger Lemon Honey Tea Creations
We love seeing how you make this recipe your own! When you create your ginger lemon honey tea concentrate, snap a photo and share it with us on Instagram using #beeinspired. We feature our favorites on our feed and love connecting with our community of honey enthusiasts.
Whether you're making this traditional recipe exactly as written or adding your own creative twists, we hope this tea brings warmth, comfort, and joy to your winter days. Here's to the simple pleasures of ginger, lemon, and raw honey - nature's perfect trio for cozy moments.
Ready to get started? Browse our complete collection of raw Eastern Shore honey and find the perfect variety for your Dr. Feelgood Tea. Each jar is hand-bottled with care at our Maryland farm, bringing you the purest honey straight from the hive.
