Fresh Ginger Tea: How to Make It From Scratch

Posted by Food Wisdom Hub on

Make a warm, refreshing cup of fresh ginger tea from scratch, then switch things up with flavors that complement its natural spicy kick.

Fresh ginger tea with lemon slices and honey

Ginger tea is just a simple drink you make by simmering or steeping fresh ginger root in hot water. The fresh ginger gives the tea a warm, spicy flavor, and we love making it on cold days to warm up the body. Want a stronger ginger flavor? Add more ginger or give it a little extra cooking time. Unlike the powdered stuff or store-bought tea bags, using real, fresh ginger gives the drink a much brighter taste and amazing aroma. You can definitely just drink it straight, or splash in a little lemon and honey if you want it a bit sweeter.

Also Read: Peel Ginger Fast Without Wasting Much of It Once You Try These Tips

In This Article:

What Do I Need for Ginger Tea?

Most times, we make about 2 cups of fresh ginger tea, and 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger root and 2 cups of water have always proven to be enough. You can either slice it up super thin or finely grate the ginger, depending on how you feel like prepping it. If you want to include fresh lemon juice and honey (totally optional!) in the tea, you will only need about 1–2 teaspoons of each. Lemon gives that spicy ginger a bright, tangy kick, while a drizzle of honey or your favorite sweetener helps take the edge off the sharpness.

While shopping or buying from your local market, choose a piece of ginger that feels firm and looks plump, without mold, soft spots, or excessive wrinkling. Give it a good wash before you get started. You can peel the ginger, depending on the condition of the root and your preference. We usually leave the skin on to get the most out of it. And don't forget to use clean drinking water since it makes up most of the tea.

How to Make Fresh Ginger Tea

Simmer thinly sliced ginger long enough to bring out its flavor while keeping the tea pleasant to drink. Let’s get into the steps for a balanced cup that’s warm, refreshing, and easy to adjust to your taste.

1. Wash and prepare the ginger.

Rinse the fresh ginger root thoroughly under running water, gently rubbing the surface to wash off any dirt. Pat it dry with a clean towel before slicing thinly or grating it.

2. Add the ginger and water to a saucepan.

Put 2 tablespoons of prepared fresh ginger into a small saucepan and go in with your 2 cups of water. Give it a quick stir to make sure the ginger is fully submerged.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and allow the mixture to boil gently. Then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer rather than letting it boil vigorously.

4. Simmer the ginger.

The ginger should simmer for about 10–15 minutes with the saucepan uncovered. You’ll get a lighter ginger flavor around 10 minutes, while letting it simmer closer to 15 minutes will give you a stronger, spicier tea.

5. Strain the tea.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the tea through a fine-mesh strainer into your cups. Here, we strain carefully to keep the tiny pieces out of our drinks because we mostly use grated ginger.

6. Add lemon and honey if you like.

You can drink the ginger tea as it is, or stir in 1–2 teaspoons each of fresh lemon juice and honey to taste. We usually let the tea cool slightly before adding the honey, but you can sweeten it while it's still hot if you prefer.

7. Serve hot or chill for later.

And now, your fresh ginger tea is ready to drink while still warm. You prefer it cold? Then, allow it to cool completely, refrigerate it, and serve it over ice.

Best Ginger Tea Combinations

What pairs well with ginger tea? By now, we already know that fresh ginger tea is easy to switch up when you want something different from the plain version, and we've already talked about lemon and honey. But there are other things you can add to your ginger tea, including:

• Ginger and cinnamon: As the ginger simmers, add a small cinnamon stick to give the tea a warm, slightly sweet flavor.

• Ginger and turmeric: A few thin slices of fresh turmeric give the tea an earthy flavor and a deeper golden color.

• Ginger and mint: Toward the end of cooking, add fresh mint leaves to the saucepan or directly to your cup before pouring in the hot tea.

• Ginger and orange: A little orange peel or orange juice gives ginger tea a bright citrus flavor with a sweeter edge than lemon.

• Ginger and cloves: For a deeper, warmer spice flavor, add a couple of whole cloves while the ginger simmers.

• Ginger and lemongrass: Fresh lemongrass adds a light citrusy aroma that works nicely with the warmth of ginger.

Can You Make Ginger Tea Ahead of Time?

Yes. If you're going to need more than a couple of cups, instead of making a fresh pot every time, you can as well make a larger batch of ginger tea and keep it for later. Once the tea is cool, transfer it into a clean, airtight container, and refrigerate it. For the best taste, the refrigerated tea should be consumed within 3–4 days, following the USDA's guidance on refrigerated leftovers. You can drink it chilled, or pour out the amount you need and reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave because there's no need to boil again. If you already know you’ll be having your tea cold, then simply make the batch, refrigerate it, and serve when you're ready.

Why Your Ginger Tea Tastes Bitter

Your ginger tea comes out more bitter than you expected because you're using too much ginger for the amount of water, which can make the flavor harsh, especially if you use finely grated ginger. Cutting the ginger into very large pieces can also give you a less balanced result because you may be tempted to extend the cooking time to get more flavor. When you add too much lemon juice, your tea becomes sharper and unpleasant too. It's better to start with a small amount and add more only if you need it.

Fresh Ginger vs. Ground Ginger for Tea

Fresh ginger gives ginger tea (and once again!) that brighter flavor, stronger aroma, and refreshing taste compared to ground ginger. Ground ginger doesn't require washing, slicing, or grating, making it more convenient, but it can leave the tea with a slightly different flavor and some fine particles. For this recipe, we prefer fresh ginger root! That characteristic fresh ginger taste in our tea will always come from it.

More Questions About Fresh Ginger Tea

Can I reuse the ginger after making tea?

You can reuse it for another batch, but the second batch will be milder because most of the ginger flavor has already been released into the first tea. We usually reuse it just once, then discard it when there isn't much flavor left.

What to do with leftover ginger after making tea?

Chop the leftover ginger and add it to a smoothie, sauce, or stir-fry while it still has some flavor. If you've already extracted most of the flavor from it, there's really no need to keep it.

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