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.
Hi what if I put to much Ginger a little more than a inch maybe around 4 inches would 2 more cups of with no Ginger just lemon juice take away anything
Hi Steph, yes, you can dilute the ginger by adding more water, lemon, and honey.
Tried this recipe today. It was delicious! I used my french press. It was so simple to make. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Can this recipe be frozen into ice cube trays and used as iced tea.
Hi Debra, I don’t see why not!
I was going to ask if a French Press would work in the same way as the tea pot with strainer. But someone mentioned using the french press for a smaller batch of the tea. I am going to try it for sure!
Hi Leslie, yes, a French press would work the same way! You can definitely use one to make this drink.
I would think very thin slices should be the same, if I don’t have a grater? As long as there’s more exposed surface area of the ginger exposed to the hot water to steep?
Hi Cat, yes, very thin slices should work well too!
Hi can you eat the grated ginger instead of straining it.?
Hi Angie, yes!
Great Recipe. The only thing I wouldn’t do is put the honey straight with the boiling water as it will kill all the benefits that comes with the honey.
what can i do with the strained ginger and lemon slices. there has to be use for it, i’d feel bad throwing it away!
Hi Arias, you can leave the ginger in the drink instead of straining it out.
Lovely drink, when it’s cold can I heat it up later
Hi Jan, yup, you can.
Can I put Juice of half a lemon grated ginger and honey in a cup with boiling water and drink it
Hi Ann, yes!