Citrus-Honey Herbal Tea with Clove and Cinnamon
A fragrant herbal tea blending citrus, honey, clove, and cinnamon to warm the body and help relieve common cold symptoms. This mediterranean-inspired cocktails & drinks (gluten free, vegan) ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, stick (3 inches) cinnamon stick, whole cloves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 stick (3 inches) cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves whole cloves
- 1 tbsp, fresh orange peel
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 3 cups water with 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh orange peel. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture for 10 minutes until aromatic and spiced.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and strain the tea into a mug, discarding solids.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tbsp honey until honey dissolves.
- Step 5: Sip the warm tea slowly to soothe throat irritation and promote hydration during a cold.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Honey Herbal Tea with Clove and Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Honey Herbal Tea with Clove and Cinnamon?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-honey herbal tea with clove and cinnamon in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Honey Herbal Tea with Clove and Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Honey Herbal Tea with Clove and Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Citrus-Honey Herbal Tea with Clove and Cinnamon gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.