Honey-Ginger Tea with Lemon and Cinnamon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A soothing hot tea blending fresh ginger, honey, and cinnamon with a bright splash of lemon to invigorate and comfort. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, honey, whole cinnamon stick 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 4, 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 60 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add 2 inch piece of fresh ginger sliced thin and 1 whole cinnamon stick, reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse flavors.
  2. Step 2: Remove saucepan from heat and strain the ginger and cinnamon out, pouring the hot liquid into four mugs.
  3. Step 3: Stir 3 tbsp honey into the hot tea until fully dissolved.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice to the tea and stir well.
  5. Step 5: Garnish each mug with a lemon slice and serve immediately for a warming, aromatic beverage.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Ginger Tea with Lemon 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 Honey-Ginger Tea with Lemon and Cinnamon?

Refrigerate any leftover honey-ginger tea with lemon 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 Honey-Ginger Tea with Lemon 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 Honey-Ginger Tea with Lemon and Cinnamon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

What goes well with Honey-Ginger Tea with Lemon and Cinnamon?

General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.