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This orange and lemon cinnamon ginger tea not only tastes fantastic but is an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory tonic, perfect for winter and cold/flu season! Better yet, it’s ready to be enjoyed in just 20 minutes!

completed Lemon Cinnamon Ginger Tea in two separate glasses against a light background
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Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Citrus Cinnamon Ginger Tea

Winter is almost here, and with it, all the sniffles and bugs we hate—just begging to be soothed with a healthy pick-me-up. Luckily, not only is this drink wonderfully warming, cozy, and soothing, but this lemon cinnamon ginger tea combines some of the most powerful inflammation-fighting ingredients with immune-boosting and antioxidant benefits to keep you in tip-top shape!

It’s also an excellent substitute for sugar and calorie-laden drinks, remaining very low calorie (and packed with lots of ‘the good stuff’) but packed with the flavors of ginger, lemon, orange, cinnamon, and cardamom. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, and one of the best teas for your immune system!

Lemon, Ginger, and Cinnamon Tea Benefits

Absolutely every one of the main ingredients in this ginger lemon tea is loaded with health benefits to turn this into an impressive winter tonic recipe.

Ginger Benefits (from Healthline)

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Contains antibacterial properties
  • Helps to fight colds and flu
  • Loaded with antioxidants and anti-cancerous properties
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Aids digestion, with nausea relief (from Johns Hopkins Medicine)
  • It may reduce soreness and muscle pain
  • Helps control blood sugar and cholesterol levels
  • Could decrease the risk of heart disease

Cinnamon Benefits

From National Library of Medicine:

  • Also, anti-inflammatory
  • Antibacterial and antifungal properties (improving mouth health, too)
  • Antioxidant-rich and increases the ‘total antioxidant capacity’ of your body
  • Reduces blood pressure & bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol
  • Helps prevent blood sugar spikes by slowing the breakdown of carbs
  • May aid menstrual symptoms (including nausea and pain relief)

Lemon Benefits

From Cleveland Clinic:

  • Anti-inflammatory — do you sense a theme with these ingredients?!
  • Detoxifying—for improved liver and kidney function
  • Packed with vitamin C to improve immune health, healing, skin health, etc.
  • Contains antioxidants to fight harmful free radicals and starve off chronic disease
  • Potassium-rich, which benefits heart and brain health and nerve function
  • Contains antibacterial and antiviral properties

Orange Benefits

  • Loaded with vitamin C, a great winter immune booster for this tea
  • Moderate folate—essential for metabolism and fetal/placental development
  • Contains several beneficial plant compounds (flavonoids, carotenoids, + vit c), which are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blood-pressure-lowering, blood vessel function boosting, etc.
  • Beneficial for heart health—reducing blood sugar, bad cholesterol, and inflammation
  • Improves the absorption of iron to prevent anemia

Plus, even the black pepper in this soothing lemon ginger tonic jumps in on the anti-inflammatory action and contains plenty of antioxidants, improving brain function, aiding blood sugar control, lowering cholesterol levels, and may even promote gut health and pain relief.

To sum up: This citrus ginger tea with cinnamon is absolutely loaded with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, antioxidants, and plenty of vitamin C. It boosts gut, brain, and heart health and is a natural immune booster. Plus, the warmth is super soothing for sore throats and perfect for enjoying during winter and all year long!

The Lemon and Ginger Tea Ingredients

ingredients for Winter Tonic measured out against a white surface
  • Citrus fruit: We use a combination of orange and lemon in this citrus ginger tonic. We like using navel oranges where possible, but use whatever orange you can get your hands on. Organic, unwaxed is best. If they cover the fruit in a wax coating, you’ll need to remove it first (Refer to FAQs).
  • Ginger: It’s best to use fresh ginger root for this ginger tonic.
  • Cinnamon: It’s best to use a cinnamon stick rather than ground cinnamon so you don’t have gritty ginger tea. Ceylon cinnamon is the best, but cassia will also work.
  • Cardamom: Technically optional but adds a delicious herbal warmth.
  • Black pepper: It’s best to use freshly cracked black peppercorns for maximum benefits.
  • Water: For the base of this immune-boosting tea.
  • Sweetener: We like to use maple syrup, agave, or a granulated sugar/sweetener (like erythritol).

Optional add-ins & Recipe Variations

  • Turmeric: Turmeric is another one of the very tip-top anti-inflammatory, impressively beneficial ingredients. Fresh turmeric is best, though you can use ground in a pinch, using a ½-¾-inch piece of fresh turmeric root or about ½ teaspoon powder.
  • Cayenne pepper: This can increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation, contain antioxidants, and may be beneficial for upset stomachs and coughs. Add a small pinch, as it’s spicy.
  • Nutmeg: Just a pinch for extra flavor.
  • Other spices: You could add clove and/or star anise.
  • Mint leaves: Just a few for added flavor, to aid digestion, reduce IBS symptoms, and further lower inflammation. (from Medical News Today)
  • Apple: Add a few slices of apple or dehydrated apple slices to add subtle flavor and natural sweetness to the lemon ginger drink.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Add 1 tbsp (the kind with a ‘mother’).
  • Green tea: For more of a traditional tea, add 1-2 green tea bags to steep for 5 minutes after removing the saucepan from the heat.

How to Make Lemon Cinnamon Ginger Tea?

  • 1) First, rinse and slice the orange and lemon, and slice or chop the ginger.
  • 2) Then, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
  • 3) Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer until the citrus fruit has softened (15-20 minutes).
process shot showing process shot of added ingredients in a pan for Lemon Cinnamon Ginger Tea ingredients simmering in pot
  • 4) Strain the solids from the tea and serve it with your choice of sweetener, added to taste. Alternatively, leave it with the lid on (but off the heat) and ladle portions from it throughout the day.

Note that we’ve recommended using 6 cups of water for this citrus, ginger, and cinnamon tea. However, the tea ingredients can be used twice, so make a second batch with another 6 cups of water.

FAQs

How to remove wax from fruit?

Add the fruit to a colander and pour boiling water over it, then use a vegetable brush to scrub it away, holding the fruit under running water while you scrub.

Why is my orange lemon cinnamon ginger tea bitter?

Citrus rind and pith can lead to bitterness when left to infuse for too long. If you find one batch too bitter, remove the citrus sooner or try not to include the pith.

Can you store leftover cinnamon ginger tea?

While this lemon tea is best when fresh and warm, you can allow any leftovers to cool and refrigerate for 2-3 days, enjoying chilled or reheated when wanted.

Recipe Notes and Top Tips

  • Adjust the simmer time: Depending on your preferred flavor profile.
  • Tweak the flavors: Increase or decrease the ginger or other ingredients to taste after making your first ‘test’ batch. You should also sweeten the citrus, ginger, and cinnamon tea to taste.
  • Reuse the ingredients: Keep them in your saucepan and top them up with another 6 cups of water for a second round of immune tea.

More Winter Drink Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Lemon Cinnamon Ginger Tea

4.95 from 79 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
This orange and lemon cinnamon ginger tea not only tastes fantastic but is an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory tonic, perfect for winter and cold/flu season! Better yet, it's ready to be enjoyed in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients 

  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 4-5 cardamom pods, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon of peppercorn
  • 6 cups of water
  • Your choice of sweetener

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Once it boils, cover the pot and reduce heat. Let it simmer until the citrus fruit has softened.
  • Strain out the beverage and serve with your choice of sweetener.

Notes

  • Adjust the simmer time: Depending on your preferred flavor profile.
  • Tweak the flavors: Increase or decrease the ginger or other ingredients to taste after making your first ‘test’ batch. You should also sweeten the citrus, ginger, and cinnamon tea to taste.
  • Reuse the ingredients: Keep them in your saucepan and top them up with another 6 cups of water for a second round of immune tea.

Nutrition

Calories: 11kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 28IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.2mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Justin Lewis
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Method: Stovetop
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Justin Lewis

Hi, I’m Justin. I’ve been a vegetarian for 28 years. When I’m not cooking up great meals in my kitchen, I spend my time building websites or writing on my blog.

More about Justin Lewis

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Comments

    1. While this lemon tea is best when fresh and warm, you can allow any leftovers to cool and refrigerate for 2-3 days, enjoying chilled or reheated when wanted.

      1. 5 stars
        I am NOT a herbal tea or black tea fan but this recipe is delicious! Goodness I could drink this everyday!!

  1. Looking forward to making this!!! Can I make a larger batch, refrigerate and then reheat as I wish to use it? Will it maintain it’s nutritional integrity? Thank you😊

    1. Hi! Not too sure about keeping the nutritional integrity but I think doubling the recipe should still work well! 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    This is a real winner, Justin! As you suggested, I tweaked it after the first batch (which was good but I like spicy a lot) and the second batch was perfection. And your timing was great. I got a covid booster today, and the last three made me very sick; so I am going to drink this regularly this week. Smells good, tastes good, and oh so healthy. Thanks so much!!!

    1. Can I use limes instead of lemon? ( have a lime tree) going to get ingredients and make tomorrow. Thanks

  3. 5 stars
    I am a huge tea fan and, during the cold season, I’m always searching for new types of tea. I love this lovely citrus and cinnamon Winter Wonder Tonic. It’s amazing!