You won't be able to stop sipping on this vibrant, cozy and homemade ginger turmeric tea. It has good-for-you anti-inflammatory and detoxing ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom and green tea. And it's SO delicious!

A hot cuppa ginger turmeric tea is wonderful any time of year. But (like this delicious golden milk and matcha green tea latte) it can be especially soothing and delicious during the winter months when the heart, and the tummy, longs for all things cozy.
There is so much to love about this tea. It is truly a comforting drink that will wrap you with warmth from the inside out. The pleasant bitterness of the turmeric is balanced out by the spicy ginger, sweet cardamom and sassy cinnamon. Green tea stirs in more healthfulness and antioxidants.
In India, you'd drink a tea like this -- a haldi adrak ki chai -- if you had the sniffles. But it can also be a cleansing, detoxing drink, especially if you have...ahem...been indulging in those end of year holiday excesses.
Treat yourself to a cup this morning -- or anytime. I just made some and I can't wait to go get it into my tummy!
Tips for the best turmeric ginger tea
It's almost as easy as boiling water.
Basically that's all you need to do. And throw in a few ingredients as you go. At the end strain it all, preferably with a fine mesh strainer, dunk a green tea bag, stir in stevia or maple syrup or a sweetener of your choice, and hello heaven!
I recommend using fresh ingredients for this recipe, and by that I mean not powdered ones. Fresh turmeric root is fairly easy to find these days in markets like Whole Foods, although if you don't have access to one where you are, turmeric powder is just as fine. Same goes for ginger, which is, of course, much easier to find. And try and use whole spices, which you can crush with a mortar and pestle, instead of powdered versions.
Also, in drinks where you are steeping ingredients and trying to extract all the best they have to offer, it's a good idea to use organic when you can.
The reason I recommend using fresh or whole spices in this turmeric ginger tea is because powdered spices, even when strained with a fine-mesh strainer, tend to slip through and into your drink. The dregs at the bottom of the cup aren't pleasant, and I don't love them, although, if you don't mind them, they don't do any harm.
When using fresh turmeric and fresh gingerroot, you can use more than the powdered versions, whose flavor and properties tend to be more concentrated. Also, spices taste best and offer the most benefit when they are freshly crushed or grated, so use fresh versions if you can. If powdered is all you can find, that's perfectly fine too.
Spices are powerful, so use in moderation
The beneficial properties of spices can sometimes lead people to overuse them. It is important to remember that spices are extremely potent. While they are good in moderation, it's a good idea to not use too much of any one spice at one time. Ginger, for instance, has very strong warming effects on the body and can cause some digestive discomfort in some people as well as increased bleeding in women who are menstruating. Even turmeric, in very high quantities, has been shown to have problem effects. So always start out with less and use more only if your body can tolerate it. With spices, a rule of thumb is that a little goes a very long way.
Ingredients
- Turmeric: There are numerous studies now that show turmeric--or the compound, curcumin, that's in it -- is a miracle antioxidant with unparalleled healing qualities. This golden spice has been a staple in Indian kitchens not so much for its flavor--because turmeric with its earthy bitterness doesn't really have much to offer in terms of making food taste better--but because a pinch of this golden spice in your food can protect you from all kinds of ailments, big and small. Turmeric can also be beneficial when used topically. When we cut ourselves playing as children, mom was more likely to run for the turmeric in her spice box than a tube of antibiotic. The turmeric would not just ensure that the wound didn't get infected, it would also keep the scars away. (Read more about the benefits and cooking with turmeric)
- Ginger: Like turmeric, ginger is a proven miracle herb with tremendous benefits to the digestive and respiratory systems. It even has cancer-fighting properties. AND. It is known to fight cancer and diabetes. Ginger is also an amazing flavoring agent and one that, to my mind, can make nearly any food taste better.
- Cinnamon: Another flavorful and amazing spice with respiratory, digestive, cancer-fighting and heart-healthy properties. We have a theme going here, see?
- Cardamom: Okay, I will admit I added in the cardamom, which is considered a cooling spice, mainly for the exquisite sweetness and delicate fragrance that makes nearly anything fit to consume. Cardamom, too, is a wonder spice, however, with respiratory, digestive, anti-cancer and anti-diabetes benefits.
- Black pepper: Piperine, the active compound in these tiny black globes, helps unlock the tremendous benefits of curcumin in turmeric, so it's good to add a tiny bit in here. The black pepper also adds a nice kick. Use very little unless you want your tea to be really spicy. Oh, and did I say black pepper is also, by itself, great for you?
- Green tea: Here's an ingredient that needs almost no introduction. We all know green tea is packed with antioxidants and is a great detoxicant with possible weight loss benefits. And it tastes amazing with the spices and herbs in this tea.
- Sweetener: This is mainly for flavor. Use any of your choice. I use maple syrup but turbinado sugar, any unrefined sugar like jaggery, or sweeteners like stevia are fine too.
- Lemons or limes: Lemon or lime juice is a natural diuretic. It has tons of vitamin C. It also adds great flavor.
Variations
- If you're looking to make this even more comforting, you can easily turn this into a turmeric milk--or golden milk--recipe. Switch out the water for almond milk or any nondairy milk. I often sip on this golden milk at night before bed, although some of the spices can be stimulating, so watch out and see if if it works for you.
- You can use chamomile tea instead of green tea at night.
- You can turn this into a refreshing cool drink as well for hot days. Chill it and serve it over ice.
- If you're looking for a more stimulating drink, use black tea instead of green tea.
Recipe FAQ
Not to worry! If you have turmeric and ginger, you are pretty much set. Try and use the black pepper but you can consider cinnamon and cardamom optional.
I would advise drinking it the same day you make it, for the best effects and flavor. But if you make a large pitcher and have some left over, you can refrigerate and consume within a couple of days. Be sure to strain it before you store it.
Related recipes
Detox Ginger Turmeric Tea
Equipment
- Mortar and pestle (or use a food processor)
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 4 cups water (preferably filtered)
- 2 tsp fresh turmeric root (grated. If using ground turmeric, use ½ to 1 tsp. Start out with less and add more if the bitterness doesn't bother you).
- 2 teaspoon ginger root (grated. If using powdered ginger, which can be very strong, use no more than ¼ to ½ tsp).
- 2 inches cinnamon bark
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 4-5 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 4 green tea bags
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup (use more or less, per your taste)
- 2 lemons (or limes, sliced)
Instructions
- Place the cinnamon, cardamom and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle and crush coarsely until the cinnamon is broken into smaller bits (but not powdered) and the cardamom pods have split with the black seeds inside exposed and slightly crushed.
- Place the crushed spices in a saucepan along with the water, turmeric and ginger. Bring to a boil, stir in the maple syrup or sugar, and turn off. Cover and let the spices and herbs steep in the water five minutes. If using stevia, just add it to the cup.
- Strain the tea into cups. Pop a green tea bag and throw a couple of slices of lime or lemon into each cup.
- Drink hot. Or chill and serve over ice.
Victor Montoya
I've tried other lemon, tumeric, ginger teas. This one is definitely my favorite. Thanks for sharing. Im hooked. Lol... i got to have my cup right after lunch @ work. Its been 2 weeks since taking it every day and i definitely feel a difference with my anxiety and inflammation.
Casey
Question. can you I drink this tea every day? meaning is it safe?
thanks
Casey
Brenda
I never had turmeric before I'm making a tea with turmeric ginger root turmeric root and lemon slice one whole lemon sliced I'm going to drink it just before bed I'm trying it because it says it works with thyroid hashimoto's an
Natasha
Hi, I understand that turmeric needs some sort of fat for better absorption! Is that true ?
Vaishali
Hi Natasha, I've seen articles that say that, but they also show that heating the turmeric, which you will do in this tea, and the piperine in pepper--and using fresh turmeric root--also help with better absorption. If you want to add fat to this drink, you might try stirring in no more than half a teaspoon of coconut oil.
Kristin
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for this information ~ I have mixed together the turmeric, black pepper, ginger & cinnamon in a mason jar & use a teaspoon in my black tea daily with a spoon of honey. Do you recommend it being safe to have the spices already mixed & how should I store them? Thank you in advance for your answer.
Vaishali
Hi Kristin, it's fine to mix the spices and store. I'd recommend keeping them in a cool, dry spot in your home in an airtight container. The refrigerator is a great option.
Mala Hilton
Thank you for the tea recipe. I'm a health and natural healing fanatic.
Vaishali
Hi Mala, I hope you try!
Annonymous
I have had gastric bypass in May and just got out of the hospital yesterday. I am unable to tolerate any food or drink. I'm currently on TPN feed through a central line. They said my intestines and stomach are severely inflamed. Do you think this tea is worth a shot? Even if I have to force it down if there's a chance it can help I'd do it.
Richard
Sounds good to me .. I have all of these spices ( fresh ) I should get fresh tumeric from market up the street ...Iselin NJ has every indian/Pakistani spices necessary for all cooking needs
Vaishali
That's great--NJ does have such a big Indian community. I do hope you try this, Richard! 🙂
Anonymous
Awesome ..
All the Best ....
Richard Naidoo
I notice you never mention tamarind