Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea with a slice of lemon in tea cups.

Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea

Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat) is soothing and healing, especially during cold and flu season. Also good for nausea and to aid digestion.

Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea with a slice of lemon in tea cups.
Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea

The house is still — it is the quietest (and emptiest) it’s been in a while, and although peaceful, I miss the background noise of the kids. They’re back to school after a wonderful Thanksgiving break. The time together was much needed after an insanely hectic couple of months, and if there is one good thing that emerged from the poor air quality we experienced in the Bay Area due to the tragic fires, it forced us to slow down and spend time together.

Slices of fresh ginger for Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea.

With activities and school canceled, we shifted our travel plans and drove down to San Diego early to escape the smoke, and to visit my sister and her husband, and there’s nothing like a road trip to help you focus on one another. The clean air and escape were much, much needed, for all of us. With each deep breath we were able to take, it was a good reminder that time off is so necessary, with no alarms, no emails, no homework, and no rushing here, there, and everywhere. It was also a good time to reflect, to give thanks, and to welcome the holiday season. Between turkey leftovers, trimming the Christmas tree, and finding joy in all of our family’s little traditions, we were able to reset.

Tea kettle pouring homemade fresh ginger tea into a tea cup.

Now that we’re back to the daily grind, I have made a personal promise to myself to never let things get as hectic as they did before our break. I want that calm and peace to permeate the holiday season.

I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing more comforting to me than a fresh cup of tea in the middle of the day. I find it grounding and soothing. Around this time of year, perhaps when you’ve eaten too much, or are nursing a cold or a sore throat, or need a little help with tummy troubles, there’s nothing better than homemade fresh ginger tea to warm and heal from within. My mother used to make it when I was younger – in the Philippines, ginger tea is called salabat, and it was especially good when you weren’t feeling well.

Cups of Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea with slices of lemon.

She used to also make Filipino salabat before my performances, too. I’ll never forget when she drove up a batch upstate before my college acapella performance — it does wonders for your vocal chords! So, just in case you have some holiday concerts coming up, I highly recommend it!

But even if you’re not performing, or sick, or trying to remedy the Monday blues, fresh ginger tea is the perfect way to treat yourself to a moment of calm in the middle of the day, whenever you need a hug. Those moments are important, especially this time of year.

Drizzling honey into Homemade Fresh Ginger tea.

Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat)

Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea is soothing and healing, especially during cold and flu season. Also good for nausea and to aid digestion. In the Philippines, it is called Salabat.
Homemade Fresh Ginger Tea with a slice of lemon in tea cups.
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5 from 4 votes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Asian, Filipino
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 4 oz fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch pieces (about 5 inch piece)
  • 1/4 cup honey (or sugar)

Instructions

  • Combine the water, ginger, and honey in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir to dissolve the honey.
  • Lower heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Strain and transfer the tea into a teapot or your preferred container. Enjoy immediately, with a slice of lemon and additional honey to taste. 
  • Chill any remaining ginger tea and store in the refrigerator -- you can drink it chilled or reheat before serving.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. Jill

    5 stars
    They say there’s no solid science behind it, but I’ve personally experienced how salabat can fix your voice ~ it fixed mine back in the day > it’s just, ginger! >_ the honey can only make it better anyhow; thank you so, so much for sharing this <3 <3 <3

    Reply
  2. Kristine

    5 stars
    Thank you for posting this! I had a craving for something warm and comforting today, and remembered my parents making this tea throughout my childhood when someone in the family was sick. I haven’t been feeling so well myself, and this really warms you up from the inside out. Salamat.

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      You’re so welcome, Kristine! I had some yesterday myself — it’s so soothing this time of year! Glad to have brought you a taste of your memories!

      Reply
  3. Sabrina

    5 stars
    very nice tea! Love the ginger, very different from my boring default teas with no additional ingredients, appreciate the honey too, and yes a nice afternoon break

    Reply
    • Riss

      You’ll get all the health benefits of honey if you add it when the tea is cold. Heat kills the enzymes and beneficial bacteria.

      Reply
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