Wedang Jahe – Indonesian Red Ginger Tea
This post may contain affiliate links.Wedang Jahe is a classic Indonesian red ginger drink that’s warm, soothing, and full of flavor. Made with fresh ginger and palm sugar, sometimes with a touch of cinnamon, it’s the perfect pick-me-up on a chilly day or when you’re feeling under the weather. Served hot, this drink is perferct for cold weather!
What is Wedang Jahe?
Indonesia offers a variety of traditional health drinks, often grouped under jamu, and Wedang Jahe—Indonesian red ginger tea—is one of the most popular and comforting. With Indonesia’s two-season climate, this warming drink is especially loved during the rainy season, when it helps warm the body and soothe common cold or flu symptoms.
Made with red ginger, palm sugar, and aromatic spices, Wedang Jahe has been enjoyed for generations. This traditional red ginger tea is known for its warming properties and is often consumed to ease headaches, muscle aches, menstrual discomfort, and general fatigue, while also supporting overall wellness.
Beyond being a drink, Wedang Jahe is also used as the base for Wedang Ronde, a comforting dessert with glutinous rice balls that’s commonly enjoyed at night or during cooler weather.
If you love Asian traditional drink like this, you may also love my butterfly pea flower drink, lemongrass pandan tea, ginger lemon drink, tamarind iced tea, turmeric ginger tea, or the beautiful butterfly pea flower latte.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Red ginger and White Ginger (Jahe Merah dan Jahe Putih) – There are two types of ginger in Indonesia. Red Ginger is much hotter than white ginger.
Lemongrass (Sereh) – Lemongrass will give some vanilla flavor and fragrance.
Pandan Leaves (Daun Pandan) – Pandan leaves will make this drink more fragrant.
Cinnamon Stick (Kayu Manis) – Cinnamon stick adds sweet and woody flavor to the drink.
Coconut Sugar (Gula Kelapa) and Palm Sugar (Gula Palem) – These two kinds of sugar blends well with the ginger flavor. Regular white sugar or brown sugar is fine, but still it is different from coconut sugar and palm sugar.
Variations
In Indonesia sometimes people serve Wedang Jahe with condensed milk and tea. Throughout the seasons, there is Wedang Ronde which is glutinous rice balls served with ginger broth just like Wedang Jahe.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Wedang Jahe
STEP 1. Wash the ginger and lemongrass thoroughly, then pat them dry. Lightly crush the lemongrass stalks and ginger to release their aroma (Images 1–4).
STEP 2. Add all the ingredients to a pot (Image 5), then pour in the water (Image 6). Cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 60 minutes (Image 7). Turn off the heat and strain the drink to remove the solids (Image 8). Let it cool until warm enough to drink. Store any leftovers in a bottle in the fridge and enjoy your comforting red ginger drink.
Pro Tips
- Crush for stronger flavor – Lightly crushing the ginger and lemongrass with a pestle helps release their natural oils, making the drink more aromatic and potent.
- Strain for a silky finish – Remove the herbs and strain the drink through a fine sieve or coffee filter to get a smooth, residue-free tea.
- Simmer with the lid on – Keep the pot covered while simmering on low heat to prevent too much liquid from evaporating and to retain the full flavor.
- Cool before bottling – Let the drink cool completely before pouring it into bottles and storing it in the fridge.
- Shake before serving – Give the chilled drink a quick shake in a shaker before pouring. This creates soft, beautiful bubbles and makes it extra refreshing.
FAQs about Wedang Jahe
Yes, you can use red ginger powder if fresh red ginger isn’t available. Use a small amount to start, as powdered ginger is more concentrated. While fresh ginger gives the best aroma and depth, powdered ginger still works well for a warming drink.
Wedang Jahe is best served warm, especially during cool weather or in the evening. It can also be chilled and served cold for a refreshing version—just give it a quick shake before pouring to create light bubbles.
Yes, regular white sugar can be used, but the flavor will be slightly different. Palm sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness that’s traditional in Wedang Jahe. If possible, coconut sugar is a closer substitute.
Not exactly. While both are ginger-based drinks, Wedang Jahe includes additional ingredients like lemongrass, cinnamon, and palm sugar, giving it a richer, more aromatic flavor compared to plain ginger tea.
Storage
Let the Wedang Jahe cool completely before storing. Transfer it to a clean, airtight bottle or jar and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Shake or stir before serving, especially if it has been chilled, as some natural sediment may settle at the bottom.
For best flavor, reheat gently on the stove or enjoy it cold as a refreshing ginger drink.
Wedang Jahe – Indonesian Red Ginger Tea
Ingredients
- 150 gr red ginger
- 50 gr white ginger
- 2 stalks lemongrass
- 3 pcs pandan leaves
- 1 pcs cinnamon stick
- 150 gr palm sugar
- 2 pcs coconut sugar
- 3000 cc water
Instructions
- Wash the ginger and lemongrass thoroughly, then pat them dry. Lightly crush the lemongrass stalks and ginger to release their aroma
- Add all the ingredients to a pot, then pour in the water. Cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 60 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and strain the drink to remove the solids . Let it cool until warm enough to drink. Store any leftovers in a bottle in the fridge and enjoy your comforting red ginger drink.
Video
Notes
- Crush for stronger flavor – Lightly crushing the ginger and lemongrass with a pestle helps release their natural oils, making the drink more aromatic and potent.
- Strain for a silky finish – Remove the herbs and strain the drink through a fine sieve or coffee filter to get a smooth, residue-free tea.
- Simmer with the lid on – Keep the pot covered while simmering on low heat to prevent too much liquid from evaporating and to retain the full flavor.
- Cool before bottling – Let the drink cool completely before pouring it into bottles and storing it in the fridge.
- Shake before serving – Give the chilled drink a quick shake in a shaker before pouring. This creates soft, beautiful bubbles and makes it extra refreshing.
Whenever I have a common cold, this is the only drink I have to soothe me. It is simple and very easy to make, however the benefits are abundant!