Lemon Tea
on Apr 21, 2023, Updated Aug 29, 2023
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This soothing caffeine-free lemon tea is made with just 3 ingredients. Sip on a cup to fight off a cold or whenever you need a comforting, warm drink.
Hot Lemon Tea
Perfect for sipping on colder days, warm lemon tea is a popular cold remedy that can be made from scratch at home in just a few minutes.
Though it’s called a tea, this drink doesn’t actually contain any tea leaves, making it naturally caffeine-free. Instead, lemon tea is made by infusing hot water with lemon juice and honey.
Both lemon and honey are known for soothing sore throats and coughs, so make a cup the next time you feel under the weather.
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Recipe Highlights
- Lemon tea is a 3-ingredient warming hot drink made with hot water, lemon juice, and honey.
- Instead of using lemon tea bags, fresh lemon juice is used, which has the best flavor and adds the most health benefits.
- This recipe has the perfect ratio of lemon juice to honey for a tea that’s perfectly tart and sweet.
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5 Health Benefits of Lemon Tea
1. Rich in Antioxidants
For a delicious way to increase your intake of antioxidants, sip on lemon tea.
Lemons contain antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamin C. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
2. Promotes Healthy Immune System
Lemon tea is a great source of vitamin C, one of the most important nutrients for your immune system.
It supports the activity of white blood cells, which help kill disease-causing germs.
3. Supports Digestion
Indigestion causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, and feeling full after a meal.
Lemon tea can help because lemon contains citric acid a substance that’s known to improve indigestion.
Many people like drinking lemon tea before meals to help with digestion.
4. Increases Iron Absorption
The vitamin C in lemon tea can help your body absorb iron. This is important because iron is an essential mineral.
Your body needs iron to make red blood cells.
5. Helps Heal Wounds
Lemon tea also contributes to healthy wound healing. That’s because it contains vitamin C, which is needed to make collagen, the main protein in your skin.
When you get a cut or scrape, your body makes more collagen to properly close the wound.
Side Effects of Lemon Tea
1. May Cause Heartburn
If you’re prone to heartburn or acid reflux, lemon tea might not be the best drink for you.
It’s more acidic than other teas. Acidic foods, such as citrus foods, can increase the risk of heartburn or acid reflux.
2. Might Damage Your Teeth
Lemon and lemon tea are highly acidic foods. The acidity might damage your tooth enamel, or the thin covering that protects your teeth.
This can increase the risk of sensitive teeth, yellowish discoloration, and cavities.
To protect your teeth, consider drinking water after consuming lemon tea. The water will help reduce the acidity in your mouth.
Ingredient Notes
- Lemon juice: This recipe uses 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, which is about ⅔ of a medium lemon.
- Honey: Any kind of honey can be used.
- Water: Filtered water is best for making any tea.
- Optional: Lemon slices: For a nice finishing touch to the cup.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Put lemon juice in a mug.
Step 2: Pour in hot water.
Step 3: Stir in honey. Stir to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Step 4: Garnish with slices of lemon.
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Recipe Notes
Fresh squeezed lemon juice gives this drink the best flavor.
Use a citrus juicer to make squeezing lemons fast and easy. It catches both the pulp and seeds.
No cooking is needed to make lemon tea.
There’s no need to find a pot or use the stove to make lemon tea. To quickly heat up water, use an electric kettle.
Add ginger for an extra kick.
Ginger is another popular cold remedy that complements the flavors of lemon and honey. Add a couple of thinly slices of fresh ginger for extra zing.
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Expert Tips
- If you prefer drinks less sweet, you can use less honey, but the tea will be more tart.
- Add fresh green herbs such as mint or basil for an additional pop of brightness.
- Stir in a dash of turmeric. The bright yellow spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has an earthy, peppery flavor similar to ginger.
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While bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, use fresh lemon juice whenever possible. Not only does it provide the best citrus flavor, it also offers the most health benefits.
Yes, lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C and honey is known to have antimicrobial properties. Both are often recommended to help soothe a sore throat.
Lemon tea can be enjoyed daily. However, lemon juice, its main ingredient, is highly acidic so it may aggravate certain conditions like heartburn so you may want to avoid it if that’s an issue.
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Lemon Tea
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, (about ⅔ medium lemon)
- 1 ¾ cups hot water
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 slices lemon, (optional)
Instructions
- Put lemon juice in a mug. Pour in hot water.Boil water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle with a temperature setting. Set water temperature to 208°F.
- Stir in honey.
- Garnish with slices of lemon.
Notes
- Use a citrus juicer to make squeezing lemons fast and easy. It catches both the pulp and seeds.
- If you prefer drinks less sweet, you can use less honey, but the tea will be more tart.
- Add green herbs such as mint or basil for an additional pop of brightness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
