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.
Many years ago, in a previous life, I was the manager of small but very busy restaurant. The restaurant was hip and cool in a casual LA sort of way and was often frequented by celebrities who casually breezed in to dine on the organic "clean" food the restaurant was known for.
The job was wrong for me in almost every way. I knew it even before I accepted the position, but this was a period in my life when I was cycling through every possible job in the food industry, trying to find the right fit.
The thing about jobs that make you miserable is that they almost always teach you an important life lesson. One of the lessons I learned is that having to strenuously talk myself into taking a job always means that the job isn't going to go well. I also learned that running out of Champagne during Mother's Day brunch because you didn't order enough is a disaster.
Also, if you sip enough ginger, turmeric and cayenne tea, you will sweat out whatever ails you.
The owner of that restaurant didn't do me many favors, but one thing she did do was hand me a mug of steaming turmeric, ginger and cayenne tea on a busy night when I was feeling something lousy coming on. She softened the intensity by whisking in creamy homemade almond milk and lots of honey. That tea delivered a jolt of immunity-strengthening spices that set my body right.
I've made many variations of that magic elixir since. Although it doesn't always chase away a cold, it always delivers relief for a sore throat or stuffy nose or a winter 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)
- Elderberry (liquid drops)
- Echinacea (liquid drops)
- Orange juice, pineapple juice, cherry juice, etc..
- Vodka or Whiskey
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Winter Elixir
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 cups 1x
Description
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.
Ingredients
5 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
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 (I like this brand)
Echinacea drops
Fresh squeezed orange juice
Pineapple juice
Vodka or Whiskey
Instructions
Stovetop:
- Bring 5 cups 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.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: tea
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cold elixir, cold remedy, apple cider vinegar tea, turmeric tea, ginger tea
S.
This sounds so delicious and soothing!
★★★★★