From Keeping Bees, by Ashley English
This zesty tea is a soothing elixir for scratchy throats or burgeoning coughs.
The heat of ginger and cayenne loosen phlegm while the honey calms the irritated lining of the throat. It’s also exceptionally delicious and can easily be rendered into an iced version for a refreshing summer pick-me-up.
Yields four 8-ounce servings
4 cups water
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 to 4 tablespoons honey, to taste
Cayenne pepper
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
Bring the water to a boil. In a ceramic teapot, combine the ginger, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of cayenne. For a dose of added medicinal value, add fresh garlic, if you like.
Pour the boiling water over the ginger mixture. Stir, and allow the mixture to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain off the liquid through a fine mesh sieve, pour tea into mugs and enjoy.
Both recipes on this page reprinted with permission from Keeping Bees © 2011 by Ashley English, published by Lark Crafts, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.