Ginger Root Tea

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 2 servings

Treat yourself to a cup of piping hot ginger tea. When made with fresh ginger root it will be far tastier than ginger tea brewed from a store-bought tea bag. Ginger tea is sometimes called ginger water. It is, quite simply, hot water infused with fresh ginger. Fresh ginger can be spicy, so play around with the quantity of ginger you use or steep the ginger for longer if you want a spicier tea. To balance the ginger, a bit of fresh lime juice and a touch of sweetness from honey. Both of these ingredients are optional and can be added to suite your taste.

Does Ginger Need to Be Peeled Before Making Tea?

Peeling ginger root is not necessary and a matter of personal preference. Many people never peel the root, especially for a recipe like ginger tea when it's not consumed. Others prefer to peel older roots and leave the younger roots intact. If you choose to leave the peel, be sure to rinse and scrub the root thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. The secret to the perfect ginger tea is lots and lots of fresh ginger, simmered for a long time to bring out the flavor. You really can't overdo it, so feel free to add as much ginger as you want and keep it simmering for as long as you want.

Batch Ginger Tea

For tea throughout the week, make a big batch by doubling or tripling the recipe. Store the tea in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Drink it cold or heat it up one cup at a time within a week for the freshest taste.


What Are the Health Benefits of Ginger Tea?

For many people, ginger tea is a favorite way to reap the benefits of ginger root. Ginger has long played a role in traditional medicine, particularly as a digestive aid for things like upset stomach, nausea, and constipation relief. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Researchers continue to look at its possible benefits for various diseases. While there are few side effects to drinking ginger tea, it's always a good idea to discuss it with your doctor.

Ginger root tea in clear glasses with lime and honey

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

"The fact that this tea was made using fresh ginger root made it incredibly appealing. I made a batch of tea in under 25 minutes, boiling the ginger for the full 20 minutes, and the flavor was great! It'll surely be my new beverage of choice when it gets colder out." —Victoria Heydt

Ginger root tea in a clear glass mug
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger root (about 2 inches)

  • 4 cups water

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lime or lemon), optional

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons honey, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ginger root tea ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

  2. Prepare the fresh ginger by peeling it and slicing it thinly to maximize the surface area. This will help you make a very flavorful ginger tea.

    Ginger root sliced into coins on a marble background

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

  3. In a 1 1/4-quart pot, add the water and ginger, and bring to a boil for at least 10 minutes. For a stronger and tangier tea, allow to boil for 20 minutes or more, and use more slices of ginger.

    Sliced ginger and water in a saucepan for tea

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

  4. Remove it from the heat, strain, and add the lime juice and honey to taste.

    Ginger tea in glasses alongside saucepan, honey, and lime juice

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga 

Leftovers and Storage


  • If you have leftover ginger root, you can freeze it to use later.
  • Consume any leftover ginger tea within one week and keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bottle.
  • When storing ginger tea, you may notice some sediment form. It's common for particles from the strained ginger to settle, and it's safe to drink. To avoid it, strain the tea through one or two layers of cheesecloth.

Ginger Tea Variations

  • Sweeten the tea with agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or monk fruit rather than honey. You can also enjoy this tea unsweetened, depending on your personal taste.
  • Turmeric and Ginger Tea: Add some fresh slices of turmeric root along with the ginger to the pot and simmer.
  • Ginger and Mint Tea: A handful of fresh mint leaves added to the pot while the ginger and water are simmering makes for a refreshing tea, especially when chilled and served over ice.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)
42 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 42
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 21mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 55mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Mao, Qian-Qian et al. Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)Foods vol. 8,6 185. 30 May, 2019, doi:10.3390/foods8060185