Steamed Lemon-Honey Ginger Herbal Tea

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

A fragrant and revitalizing hot tea combining lemon, honey, and ginger to soothe throat irritation and congestion. This mediterranean-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together medium, sliced lemon, raw or organic honey, water 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 70 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 70 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add 1.5 inch peeled and thinly sliced fresh ginger root and 1 small cinnamon stick if using.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer the ginger and cinnamon mixture gently for 10 minutes to extract flavors.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and add 1 medium sliced lemon to the pot. Let steep for 5 minutes to infuse bright citrus notes.
  4. Step 4: Strain the tea into mugs, then stir in 2 tbsp raw honey until fully dissolved. Serve warm for soothing relief.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Steamed Lemon-Honey Ginger Herbal Tea 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 Steamed Lemon-Honey Ginger Herbal Tea?

Refrigerate any leftover steamed lemon-honey ginger herbal tea 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 Steamed Lemon-Honey Ginger Herbal Tea?

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 Steamed Lemon-Honey Ginger Herbal Tea 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.

What goes well with Steamed Lemon-Honey Ginger Herbal Tea?

Mediterranean 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.