Tea Elixirs to Battle Winter

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Lemon Ginger Hot Tea Elixir for Colds

Winter stress got you and your immune system down? Make this delicious hot tea elixir recipe and you’ll kick not only your cold to the curb but also that nagging sense-of-hurry, as you take a moment to sip, pause and re-center. No cold has a chance while you sip on this lemon, ginger, and turmeric trifecta of anti-inflammatory immune boosters and virus conquerors.

(adapted from Bon Appetit)

Ingredients

  • 4 lemons, sliced into ½-inch thick rounds
  • 4" piece of ginger, sliced into coins
  • 1" piece of turmeric, sliced into coins
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • ½ cup honey
  • 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • ½ cup lemon juice
  • ½ cup water, just boiled

Instructions

Using a 16 oz. mason jar, lay the lemons slices, ginger and turmeric in alternating layers until the jar is filled. Slide the cinnamon sticks and the thyme sprigs along the side of the jar, between the glass and the layers of lemons, ginger and turmeric.

Pour the honey over the contents of the jar and let it seep down to the bottom. Pour the lemon juice over this mixture.

After setting the mason jar on a heat proof surface, carefully pour the just-boiled water over the whole mixture and allow to sit for an hour and steep.

After the jar has cooled, screw the lid on and allow to continue to steep in the fridge for 24-48 hours.

Once the time is complete, remove the jar from the fridge, ensuring that the lid is firmly screwed on, and shake the jar so that the contents are equally dispersed.

Remove the lid and carefully pour ¼ cup of the elixir into an 8 oz. mug. Top with hot water and add a lemon wedge and honey for additional flavor.

The elixir will keep for up to a week in the fridge. Enjoy!

Notes

Alternate Recipe Option

The simpler cousin to the Lemon Ginger Hot Tea Elixir for Colds, this Turmeric Ginger Hot Tea Elixir nevertheless packs an equally impressive punch, both in its comforting and spicy flavor, as well as its virus-fighting, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antioxidant packed profile. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup turmeric, sliced into coins

1/2 cup ginger, sliced into coins

1/4 cup manuka (or local) honey

2 cups water, just boiled

Instructions

Using a 10 oz mason jar, lay the ginger and turmeric in alternating layers until the jar is filled.

Pour the honey over the ginger and turmeric and let it seep down to the bottom. 

After setting the mason jar on a heat proof surface, carefully pour the just-boiled water over the whole mixture and allow to sit for 30 minutes to steep. 

Once the contents have cooled, screw the lid on and shake vigorously, so as to distribute the liquid equally.

Unscrew the lid and pour 1/4 cup into the bottom of a mug. Top with hot water and additional lemon and honey. Additional add-ins include 1 tbsp. coconut oil. 

This elixir will keep for up to a week in the fridge. 

May your cold be soothed and banished. Enjoy!