How to Make Ginger Tea from Scratch
Updated Jan 20, 2026
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Hot ginger tea is great for warming up on a cold day or for when you’re feeling under the weather. See how to make this herbal tea properly using fresh ginger, with tips from a Tea Sommelier.
Fresh Ginger Tea from Scratch
What makes this ginger tea so unique and so good is the method I used in making it. I steep freshly grated ginger in water with lemon, then add honey. It’s an herbal beverage and doesn’t contain any caffeine.
Note from Jee
You may think making ginger tea from scratch seems like a lot of work, but it’s actually quick and easy using my shortcut that involves a grater.
I used to slice the fresh ginger to make the tea, but that involved cooking it on the stovetop for at least 15 minutes. I came up with the idea to grate it so that I could cut the cook/steep time and it worked!
Ginger is the root of a flowering plant and it can be eaten raw. It’s spicy so a little goes a long way.
Recipe Summary
- 4-ingredient recipe to make ginger tea using fresh ginger, lemon, honey, and water.
- Ginger is grated then steeped in hot water. Honey and lemon are added to the drink to balance the sharp ginger flavor.
- This recipe makes a 16 ounce (2 cups) serving.
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Ginger Tea Video
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh ginger: Find ginger root in the produce section of your supermarket. I look for firm pieces that look plump.
- Lemon: Sliced lemons or lemon juice both work.
- Honey: Use any kind of honey you have.
- Water: Tea is mostly made of water so I always use filtered water.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Peel and grate ginger. Grate ginger straight into the teapot.
Step 2: Add lemon slices and hot water into the teapot.
Step 3: Cover and steep. Herbals teas can steep for longer than black tea or green tea. The longer you steep, the stronger the ginger and lemon flavor.
Step 4: Strain solids and pour hot tea into a teacup. Add honey to taste.
Recipe Notes
No need to buy the entire ginger root.
Avoid buying fresh ginger root that’s shriveled and dry. Look for one that’s plump and firm. Ginger is usually sold by weight, not by the piece, so don’t be afraid to break off a piece of the freshest ginger root in the pile if it’s too big.
Adjust ginger as needed.
Add as much or little ginger as you like since it can get too spicy. For a serving of 1 cup of water, I’m using an half inch of fresh ginger root. If you want a milder taste, use less ginger.
Keep grated ginger in the freezer.
You can grate ginger ahead of time and freeze it. Store it in a resealable plastic bag, flattening it before freezing.
Tea Sommelier’s Tips
- A teapot with a strainer lid or a French press works great for making ginger tea.
- Instead of sliced lemons, you can also use the juice from half a lemon.
- To peel fresh ginger easily, use a spoon to scrape off the peel.
- Make sure to scrub and wash the lemons before using them.
- I strain out the ginger but you can definitely leave it in.
Related
- Ginger Shot
- Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte)
- Citron Tea from Scratch
- Lemon Tea
- Ginger Syrup
- Pineapple Ginger Iced Tea
If you tried this Ginger Tea recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and let me know how you like it in the comments below.
Fresh Ginger Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- ½ lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 inch fresh ginger root
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Peel and grate ginger.Peel one inch piece of fresh ginger root and grate into a teapot.
- Add lemon slices and hot water into the teapot. Cover and steep for 5 minutes.Use filtered water for the best quality ginger tea. Boiling hot water should be used. If using an electric kettle with a temperature setting, set it to 208°F.
- Strain solids and pour hot tea into a teacup. Add honey to taste.
Notes
- Avoid buying fresh ginger root that’s shriveled and dry. Look for one that’s plump and firm. Ginger is usually sold by weight don’t be afraid to break off a piece of the freshest ginger root in the pile if it’s too big.
- To peel fresh ginger easily, use a spoon to scrape off the peel.
- Add as much or little ginger as you like since it can get too spicy. For a serving of 1 cup of water, a half inch of ginger root in this recipe. If you want a milder taste, use less ginger.
- You can grate ginger ahead of time and freeze it. Store it in a resealable plastic bag, flattening it before freezing. When you need some grated ginger, snap off a piece.
- Instead of sliced lemons, you can also use the juice from half a lemon.
- Make sure to scrub and wash the lemons before slicing them.
- Herbals teas can steep for longer than black tea or green tea. The longer you steep, the stronger the ginger and lemon flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What quantity should be taken per day
Hi Bright, I drink a cup or two a day when I’m feeling sick otherwise a cup of day should be fine.
Can you make this and refrigerate to drink cold as well?
Hi Amanda, yes!
Where did you get your cup and strainer? It looks so pretty!
Hi Linda, the cup is from CB2 and the glass teapot and strainer is from Amazon — you’ll see it linked in the post!
Grating ginger for a fast brew – brilliant! Thanks!
FYI, I took it another step to be even faster…
Grating takes what ever time it takes. But rather that grate the ginger each time, I now grate a bunch – usually the whole root, and freeze. I put a healthy tablespoon in each cube of an ice cube tray, fill each gently with water, and freeze.
Once they are frozen, I take them out of the tray and store in a freezer-proof canning jar in the freezer. Yes, all this takes a little time, but after that…
When I want a cup of tea, I just take out a cube, put it in a tea ball in my cup, pour in boiling water, and let it steep just as you would any other kind of tea. (I have a big tea ball – I’m not sure if the ice/ginger cube would fit in a small tea ball.) Two ice/ginger cubes in a french press work just as well if I’m making a couple cups.
It’s a little more work up front for many super fast cups of ginger tea later.
Is it okay to leave the ginger in and nibble on it as one drinks the tea?
Hi Sandy, actually nibbling on the ginger would be even better!
Can you use powdered ginger?
Hi Pamela, you can use powered ginger but it won’t be as potent.
Thanks for this simple, beautiful, quick suggestion for tea. I needed it tonight! Delicious!
Hi Beth, glad you made it!
I’ve read in many places that it’s unhealthy to add boiling water to honey, but in your recipe you suggest to do this. Would it be better to add the honey to the filtered tea once it’s cooled down a bit?
Hi Curtis, I haven’t heard of this, but yes, add the honey after the steep if you want to avoid adding honey to boiling water.
This was perfect, thank you for sharing!
Always looking for teas made with herbs
Thanks for the info on the recipe for ginger honey tea!!! I really appreciate it very much!!!
Would placing small slices in juicer be more effective than grating? I could just pour juice in boiling hot water and add lemon and honey? Agree or not?
Hi Michael, you can certainly juice the ginger and add the ginger juice into hot water.
Hi can i use pre crushed ginger instead?
It won’t be as potent as freshly grated ginger but if it’s all you have on hand, go for it!