Forget medicinal-tasting brews that burn your throat. This ginger cinnamon tea balances the deep, slow-simmered heat of roots with a bright, cooling mint finish. It is a smooth, zesty liquid comfort that delivers perfectly tempered warmth in every fragrant sip.
Why You’ll Love This Brew
Maximum Flavor Extraction: By simmering the hard spices first, we unlock a deep, warming heat that makes every sip feel incredibly grounding and robust.
Zero Bitterness: The unique “steep-only” method for the lemon ensures you get all the zesty brightness without that harsh, metallic aftertaste that comes from boiling citrus rinds.
Perfectly Balanced Heat: Unlike some recipes that are too spicy to drink, the ratio of cinnamon to ginger creates a smooth, mellow warmth that tingles pleasantly rather than burning your throat.
A Daily Ritual for Wellness
I love keeping a pitcher of this in the fridge. While I usually drink it hot, it is surprisingly refreshing served over ice on warmer days. Because it uses whole ingredients and zero sugar, it fits seamlessly into a low-carb lifestyle.
If you are looking to create a complete moment of indulgence, I highly recommend pairing a mug of this tea with my Velvety 3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Truffles. Since both are low-carb and sugar-conscious, they make the ultimate guilt-free relaxation duo.
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
Simmer the Spices: Start by combining your filtered water, sliced fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in a large pot. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat. You want a gentle simmer here—let it bubble away for about 20 minutes until the kitchen smells amazing and the water turns a lovely golden hue.
Steep the Aromatics: This is the crucial step. Remove the pot from the heat completely. Drop in your lemon slices and fresh mint leaves, cover with a lid, and let it stand for 5 to 7 minutes. This gentle heat releases the essential oils without cooking the delicate leaves.
Strain and Serve: Pour the tea through a fine-mesh sieve to catch all the solids. Pour into your favorite mug and inhale that steam!
Expert Tips for the Perfect Cup
Peeling Hack: Use the edge of a spoon to peel your ginger root. It navigates the bumps much better than a knife and wastes less of the actual root.
Storage Savvy: Don’t leave the spices in the liquid once you store it! Strain it fully before refrigerating to prevent the flavor from becoming medicinal or bitter over time.
Sweetness Control: I drink this plain to enjoy the spice, but if you prefer a “sweet tea” vibe, a few drops of liquid stevia or monk fruit added right at the end works beautifully without spiking the carbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse the ginger and cinnamon sticks?
You can usually get a second, lighter brew out of the hard spices (ginger and cinnamon) if you simmer them again immediately. However, discard the used mint and lemon as they lose their freshness quickly.
Is this suitable for a Keto diet?
Absolutely. This is virtually zero-carb and fits perfectly into a keto or fasting window if consumed without added sweeteners. For more ideas on using spices in your routine, check out my guide on spices to add to your daily diet.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Toss the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and water into a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours. Just remember to add the lemon and mint only during the last 10 minutes to keep the flavor bright.
This soothing, aromatic infusion is a staple in my kitchen whenever I crave something cozy but light. The natural heat from fresh ginger combined with the brightness of lemon makes it incredibly satisfying without being heavy or sweet. It’s a gentle, caffeine-free way to stay hydrated and warm up during the colder months.
Ingredients
Scale
8 cupsfiltered water (approx. 1.9 L)
1 piece (3-inch) fresh ginger root (peeled and sliced)
4cinnamon sticks
4whole cloves (optional, for added depth)
1 large lemon (sliced into rounds)
1/2 cupfresh mint leaves (packed)
Instructions
Simmer the spices: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the filtered water, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a rolling boil.
Infuse the flavor: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the liquid turns a light golden color and smells intensely aromatic.
Steep the fresh ingredients: Remove the pot from the heat. Immediately add the lemon slices and fresh mint leaves. Cover the pot with a lid and let it steep for 5 to 7 minutes. (Note: Adding these off the heat prevents the lemon pith from turning the tea bitter).
Strain and serve: Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the solids from the liquid. Pour into mugs to enjoy warm.
Cool and store: If making ahead, let the remaining tea cool quickly to room temperature (within 2 hours), then transfer to a sealed glass pitcher or jar. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Notes
Why it works:
Simmering vs. Steeping: Hard spices like cinnamon and ginger need active simmering to release their flavor, while delicate items like mint and lemon release their oils best through gentle steeping off the heat.
Flavor Balance: Reducing the cinnamon slightly from typical heavy ratios allows the fresh ginger “kick” to shine through without being overpowered.
Key Success Warnings:
Watch the bitterness: Do not boil the lemon slices. The white pith releases bitter compounds if exposed to high heat for too long; always add them after removing the water from the stove.
Storage: Ensure you strain the solids out completely before storing. Leaving the ginger or lemon in the liquid overnight can alter the flavor profile significantly.
Allergy Alert: This recipe is naturally free of common allergens (nuts, gluten, dairy, soy, eggs).
Nutrition information is calculated using third-party databases and is provided as a courtesy. Since values vary by brand and produce, we suggest calculating them yourself for the most accurate results.
There is something so centering about slowing down with a warm mug in your hands. I hope this simple recipe brings a little extra peace to your busy week. Remember, these are just my kitchen adventures—chat with your doctor for personalized tips!
Kristina Hanson is an independent wellness researcher and the founder of DailyZests. After a PCOS diagnosis, she focused her research on managing insulin resistance through evidence-based nutrition. Her work translates the science of DASH, Mediterranean, and Low-Carb eating into easy, family-tested recipes.
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