Ginger Lemon Drink – Soothing Ginger Lemon Tea for Cold Days or Iced Refreshment
This post may contain affiliate links.Ginger lemon drink is zesty, warming, and incredibly easy to make, whether you enjoy it hot on a rainy day or iced for a refreshing pick-me-up. Naturally soothing, it has a bright citrus flavor and gentle heat from fresh ginger that makes it perfect for cold days, digestion, or simply relaxing with a cozy homemade drink.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
🏷️ Recipe Name: Ginger Lemon Drink (Lemon and Ginger Tea)
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 1 hour 10 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 2000 cc
🔥 Calories: 82 kcal (per 200 cc)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Ginger, rock sugar, water, lemon, pandan leaves.
🥗 Dietary Info: Halal
🧠 Difficulty: Easy, very simple steps.
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This lemon ginger drink is one of my favorite simple homemade drinks. Made with fresh lemon, ginger, and rock sugar, it’s refreshing, comforting, and incredibly easy to prepare.
This soothing ginger lemon drink can be enjoyed hot on cool mornings or poured over ice for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. The gentle heat from the ginger and the bright citrus from the lemon create a perfectly balanced flavor that just works—like a cozy hug in a cup. Some people also call this lemon and ginger tea, but it’s just as delicious served hot or iced as a simple homemade drink.
If you don’t have rock sugar, you can easily sweeten it with a spoonful of homemade golden syrup—it adds a lovely caramel-like depth that pairs beautifully with ginger.
If you enjoy easy homemade drinks like this, don’t miss my butterfly pea flower tea, lychee tea, lemongrass pandan drink, or red ginger drink—they’re just as simple and refreshing. You can also explore more Asian drink recipes for even more ideas.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Rock sugar – Gives a milder, cleaner sweetness compared to regular sugar. If using white sugar, reduce the amount slightly as it tastes sweeter.
Pandan leaves (optional) – Simmering a knot of pandan leaves with the ginger adds a subtle floral, vanilla-like aroma for a Southeast Asian touch.
Lemon – Fresh lemon juice is best for bright, vibrant flavor. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but the taste won’t be as fresh.
Ginger – Young ginger is milder and less fibrous for a gentler heat. Mature ginger gives a stronger, spicier kick and deeper flavor.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Variations
Black pepper or cayenne pepper – Want a little extra kick? Add a pinch for gentle heat that enhances the ginger’s warmth.
Ground turmeric – A small dash adds earthy depth and a beautiful golden color. It pairs naturally with ginger.
Green tea twist – Brew a cup of green tea and mix it with your ginger lemon drink for a light, refreshing variation, especially good served cold.
Butterfly pea flower or lemongrass – Infuse with butterfly pea flower for a vibrant color, or add lemongrass for a fresh, citrusy aroma.
How to Make Ginger Lemon Drink
STEP 1. Wash the ginger thoroughly. Slice it or gently crush it using the handle of a cleaver. Add the ginger, rock sugar, and pandan leaves to a pot (Image 1). Pour in the water (Image 2) and cook over medium heat for about 1 hour. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer (Images 3, 4).
STEP 2. When it’s done, strain the ginger water. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a bottle or glass (Image 5).
STEP 3. Once cooled, add lemon slices and let them infuse for at least 1 hour or overnight for a stronger flavor (Image 6).
Pro Tips
- Crush the ginger – Releases more flavor than slicing, giving the drink a stronger, more aromatic kick.
- Simmer gently – Once it boils, lower the heat to avoid bitterness and keep the flavor smooth.
- Add lemon later – Let the drink cool slightly before adding lemon juice to keep it fresh and bright, not bitter.
- Sweeten to taste – Rock sugar gives a mild sweetness, but honey or golden syrup works beautifully too.
- Serve hot or cold – Enjoy it warm for a cozy drink or chill it for a refreshing iced version.
Serving Suggestions
This ginger lemon drink is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with light snacks or simple desserts. Enjoy it warm in the morning with buttery treats like custard cookies or delicate cat tongue cookies, which complement its bright citrus flavor and gentle ginger warmth.
For afternoon tea, serve it iced alongside soft bakes like banana almond cookies or chewy ube crinkle cookies. The refreshing lemon and ginger notes help balance the sweetness of these treats.
For a cozy dessert pairing, try it with Asian sweets like mango sticky rice or candil ubi (biji salak). The citrusy brightness cuts through rich, coconut-based desserts and makes every bite feel lighter.
FAQs about Ginger Lemon Drink
Yes, you can enjoy ginger lemon drink daily in moderation. It’s naturally soothing and easy on the stomach. Adjust the sweetness and ginger strength to suit your taste.
Both work well. Hot ginger lemon drink is comforting and great for cold days, while the iced version is refreshing and perfect for warm weather.
You can enjoy it anytime. Many people like it in the morning to wake up the senses, in the afternoon as a light pick-me-up, or after meals to feel refreshed.
Yes. Make a batch, let it cool, and store it in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Stir well before serving, especially if the ginger settles at the bottom.
Rock sugar gives a clean, mild sweetness, but honey, palm sugar, or even golden syrup work well too. You can also skip sweetener for a stronger, more tart drink.
Ginger and lemon are often used in simple homemade drinks to feel soothing and refreshing after meals. Many people enjoy this drink as a light, comforting option for digestion.
Yes, but fresh lemon juice gives a brighter, fresher flavor. Bottled juice works in a pinch, though the taste may be slightly less vibrant.
Storage
Store the ginger lemon drink in an airtight container or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best flavor, remove the lemon slices if storing for more than a day to prevent bitterness.
Enjoy it chilled straight from the fridge, or gently reheat on the stove if you prefer it warm. Avoid boiling again, as it can make the flavor slightly bitter.
More Asian Drink Recipes
- Turmeric Ginger Tea
- Tamarind Iced Tea
- Lychee Tea
- Lychee Soda
- Earl Grey Milk Tea
- Rose Milk Tea
- Assam Milk Tea
Ginger Lemon Drink (Lemon and Ginger Tea)
Ingredients
- 200 gr ginger
- 200 gr rock sugar
- 2 pcs pandan leaves optional
- 3000 cc water
- 2 slices lemon
Instructions
- Wash the ginger thoroughly. Slice it or gently crush it using the handle of a cleaver. Add the ginger, rock sugar, and pandan leaves to a pot. Pour in the water and cook over medium heat for about 1 hour. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
- When it’s done, strain the ginger water. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a bottle or glass .
- Once cooled, add lemon slices and let them infuse for at least 1 hour or overnight for a stronger flavor. Enjoy your drink!
Video
Notes
- Crush the ginger – It brings out more flavor than slicing alone.
- Simmer gently – Once it boils, turn the heat low to avoid bitterness.
- Add lemon later – Let the drink cool first so the lemon stays fresh, not bitter.
- Sweeten to taste – Rock sugar is mild, but you can swap in honey or golden syrup.
- Serve hot or cold – Chill first if serving cold to keep the flavor strong.
I always make this refreshing drink in the chiller at least once a month. My friends and family love it so much! It is so easy to make it in a batch and keep it chilled in the refrigerator.