Fragrant, soothing tea with lemongrass, ginger, and lemon. Enjoy hot or iced for a refreshing, healthy drink.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Yield:4 cups1x
Ingredients
Scale
4 cups water, filtered
2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and chopped into 2-inch pieces
2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 lemon, preferably organic, halved
Honey or agave nectar, to taste (optional)
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Ice cubes, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil: In a medium-sized saucepan, pour in the 4 cups of filtered water. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
Add the lemongrass and ginger: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the chopped lemongrass and sliced ginger to the saucepan. Make sure the lemongrass is bruised slightly before adding it.
Simmer the mixture: Reduce the heat to low, so the mixture is simmering gently. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.
Check the aroma and adjust simmering time: After 15 minutes, lift the lid and take a deep breath. If you prefer a stronger flavor, continue simmering for another 5-10 minutes.
Remove from heat: After simmering for the desired time, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Add the lemon juice: Squeeze the juice from both halves of the lemon into the saucepan. Be careful not to let any seeds fall into the tea.
Sweeten to taste (optional): If you prefer your tea sweet, now is the time to add honey or agave nectar. Start with a small amount, such as 1-2 teaspoons, and stir well until it is completely dissolved. Taste the tea and add more sweetener as needed until it reaches your desired level of sweetness.
Stir well: Give the tea a good stir to ensure that the lemon juice and sweetener (if using) are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Strain the tea: Place a fine-mesh sieve or strainer over a large heat-resistant bowl or pitcher. Carefully pour the tea through the strainer to remove the lemongrass, ginger, and any lemon seeds.
Serve hot or cold: You can serve the lemongrass ginger lemon tea hot or cold, depending on your preference and the weather.
For hot tea: Pour the strained tea into mugs and garnish with a fresh mint sprig, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the soothing warmth and invigorating flavors.
For iced tea: Allow the strained tea to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or until it is thoroughly chilled. When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over the ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and a mint sprig, if desired.
Adjust the strength: If you find the tea too strong, you can dilute it with a little more water. Conversely, if you prefer a stronger flavor, you can simmer the lemongrass and ginger for a longer period of time in the initial step.
Notes
Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
Adjust the amount of ginger to your spice preference.
Experiment with other herbs and spices like turmeric, cardamom, or cinnamon.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
Store leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
If you can’t find fresh lemongrass, you can use lemongrass paste as a substitute. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of lemongrass paste for every 2 stalks of fresh lemongrass.
Similarly, if you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use ginger paste. Use about 1 teaspoon of ginger paste for every 1-inch piece of fresh ginger.
For an extra burst of lemon flavor, add the zest of one lemon to the saucepan along with the juice. Be sure to use a microplane or zester to remove only the yellow part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
For a refreshing twist, top off your iced lemongrass ginger lemon tea with sparkling water or club soda. This will add a delightful fizz and make it perfect for a hot summer day.
Add a green tea bag to the simmering water along with the lemongrass and ginger for a boost of antioxidants and a slightly different flavor profile. Remove the tea bag after 3-5 minutes to prevent the tea from becoming bitter.