Ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, honey and apple cider vinegar make this soothing and delicious remedy for sniffles, sore throats and those winter days when you need a little pick-me-up
This winter elixir, made from ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, honey, apple cider vinegar and other immunity-boosting ingredients, is both soothing and delicious.
To be honest, I don't just drink it during the winter. I also love this elixir poured over ice on a hot summer day.
I keep a jar of this magic potion in my fridge so it's ready when I need it. Sometimes I sip it cold over ice or with a spritz of seltzer water. Sometimes I drink it steaming hot in mug with lots of honey.
I often add a dropperful of elderberry or echinacea. And yes, I have been known to occasionally add a shot of vodka or whiskey.
Although it doesn't always chase away a cold completely, it does deliver relief for a sore throat or stuffy nose or just an afternoon when I'm feeling run down.
Elixir Immunity-Boosting Ingredients
- Ginger, cinnamon and turmeric are the base of this mildly spicy tonic.
- Raw apple cider vinegar and lemon brighten things up.
- Lots of honey brings it all together, creating an elixir that is both invigorating and soothing.
More Ingredient Options
After making the base for this elixir, you can personalize it by adding ingredients to soothe whatever ails you.
- Cayenne pepper (a little bit goes a long way)
- Turn it into an elderberry elixir by adding liquid drops of elderberry
- Echinacea (liquid drops)
- Orange juice, pineapple juice, cherry juice, etc..
- Vodka or Whiskey
More Soothing Drink Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Winter Elixir
Ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, honey, apple cider vinegar and other immunity-boosting ingredients make this soothing and delicious remedy for sniffles and sore throats. It can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stove top.
I also love this elixir, served hot or cold, as a caffeine-free afternoon pick-me-up.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 cups
- Category: tea
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
5 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
One 3-inch knob unpeeled ginger, sliced ¼-inch thick
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
Optional Add-ins:
Cayenne pepper ( a little bit goes a long way)
Elderberry liquid
Echinacea drops
Fresh squeezed orange juice
Pineapple juice
Vodka or Whiskey
Instructions
Stovetop:
- Bring 5 cups of water to a boil.
- Whisk in the honey and turmeric and add the cinnamon sticks and ginger.
- Turn off the heat. Let the cinnamon and ginger steep until the water is at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- If the cinnamon-ginger flavor isn't strong enough for you, let the elixir steep longer.
- Strain the cinnamon sticks and ginger from the water.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar and lemon juice
- Stir-in anything else you want to add (see suggestions above)
Instant Pot:
- Combine water, cinnamon sticks, ginger, turmeric and honey in the Instant Pot. Whisk to make sure the honey is blended into the water.
- Seal the lid and make sure the pressure release valve is set to "sealed."
- Press the Manual button and program the Instant Pot to cook at high pressure for 5 minutes (the pot will take 8 to 10 minutes to come up to pressure first).
- Let the pot naturally release pressure.
- Strain out cinnamon sticks and ginger.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar and lemon juice
- Stir-in anything else you want to add (see suggestions above)
Notes
I keep the elixir in a glass jar or pitcher in the refrigerator so it’s ready when I need it.
You can drink this winter elixir hot or cold. Before drinking, adjust the flavor of individual servings by adding more honey, or lemon, or juice, or add a dropper of liquid Elderberry or liquid Echinacea. When I’m congested, I sprinkle in a little cayenne pepper. And yes, you can also add a shot of vodka or whiskey.
You can also freeze the elixir in an ice cube tray and keep the cubes in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. Pop an elixir ice cube into a mug of tea or add elixir ice cubes to sparkling water.
Douglas Echternacht says
Making now, problem I have is putting honey in boiling water.
The ideal water temperature for adding honey to tea is around 37–43°C (98.6–109.4°F). Extremely hot water can destroy some of the beneficial nutrients and enzymes in honey. Heating honey to higher temperatures can also cause it to release a toxin called 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which has carcinogenic properties.
So I am waiting tell it cools to 105 and then adding honey
S. says
This sounds so delicious and soothing!