How to Make Turmeric Ginger Tea: 3 Ways to Brew a Warming Cup
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A good turmeric ginger tea is bright gold, gently spicy and warming right down to your toes. Here is how to make turmeric ginger tea the quick way: steep about 2.5 g (a heaped teaspoon) of a dried turmeric and ginger blend in 12 oz (350 ml) of just-boiled water for 5–10 minutes, strain, and add lemon or honey to taste. If you prefer to start from fresh roots, simmer sliced ginger and turmeric for 10 minutes instead.
Below are three tested methods, a comparison table, an iced version and fixes for the most common problems, including that famous yellow stain.
In this article
- What it tastes like
- Three ways compared
- From a loose-leaf blend
- From fresh roots
- Golden latte
- Iced version
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
What turmeric ginger tea tastes like
Ginger brings the heat: peppery, zesty and warming at the back of the throat. Turmeric is earthier, slightly bitter and musky, with a color that does most of the visual work. Together they make a cup that is bold rather than sweet, which is why lemon, honey, cinnamon or orange peel are such common partners. Both are naturally caffeine free, so this is an easy evening drink.
How to make turmeric ginger tea: three ways compared
| Method | Time | Flavor | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose-leaf blend | 5–10 minutes | Balanced, consistent, often with citrus or lemongrass | Everyday cups, minimal mess |
| Fresh roots | About 15 minutes | Punchier ginger, very vivid color | A strong, homemade brew |
| Golden latte | 10 minutes | Creamy, mellow, lightly sweet | A cozy, dessert-like drink |
Method 1: from a loose-leaf blend
Makes: 1 mug (12 oz / 350 ml)
- Bring fresh water to a full boil, 212°F (100°C). Herbal roots need hot water to release their flavor.
- Add 2.5 g (about 1 heaped teaspoon) of the blend to an infuser, teapot or mug.
- Pour in 12 oz (350 ml) of boiling water and cover to keep the heat in.
- Steep 5 minutes for a lighter cup, up to 10 minutes for a bold one. Herbal blends rarely turn bitter with longer steeping the way black tea does.
- Strain and taste. Add a squeeze of lemon or a teaspoon of honey if you like.
Our Turmeric Ginger herbal tea is made for exactly this. It is a caffeine-free blend of organic turmeric root, ginger root, licorice root, lemongrass and orange peel with organic orange flavor and lemon extract, so it already has the citrus lift built in. The licorice adds a natural sweetness, so taste before you add honey.
Method 2: from fresh turmeric and ginger
Makes: 2 mugs
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 2 1/2 cups | 600 ml |
| Fresh ginger, thinly sliced | 1 inch piece | about 10 g |
| Fresh turmeric, thinly sliced (or ground turmeric) | 1 inch piece (or 1/2 tsp ground) | about 10 g (or 1.5 g ground) |
| Black pepper | a pinch | a pinch |
| Lemon juice | 1–2 tsp | 5–10 ml |
| Honey or maple syrup (optional) | 1–2 tsp | 5–10 ml |
- Scrub the roots well; there is no need to peel thin-skinned fresh roots.
- Add water, ginger and turmeric to a small pan and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer, partly covered, for 10 minutes. Simmer longer for more heat.
- Add the pinch of black pepper, then strain into mugs.
- Stir in lemon and sweetener off the heat.
Why the pepper? Curcumin, turmeric’s main pigment, dissolves poorly in water and is poorly absorbed on its own. A widely cited 1998 study by Shoba and colleagues found that piperine, a compound in black pepper, markedly increased curcumin levels in the blood of volunteers. A pinch also adds a pleasant extra warmth. This is about flavor and absorption of a pigment, not a promise of any health effect.
Method 3: turmeric ginger golden latte
- Steep 2.5 g of the turmeric ginger blend in 1/3 cup (80 ml) of boiling water for 5–7 minutes to make a double-strength concentrate. Strain.
- Warm 3/4 cup (180 ml) of milk to about 140–150°F (60–65°C) and froth it. Oat milk and whole milk both work beautifully.
- Pour the concentrate into a mug, stir in 1 tsp honey or maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon, then top with the frothed milk.
A tiny pinch of black pepper or a little coconut oil in the milk rounds out the flavor. For frothing methods without a machine, see our guide on how to froth milk, and for choosing a dairy-free option, our best milk guide applies to tea lattes too.
Iced turmeric ginger tea
Brew at double strength (5 g in 12 oz of boiling water, steeped 8–10 minutes), sweeten while hot, then pour over a full glass of ice. Add a squeeze of lemon or a splash of orange juice. For a smoother pitcher, you can also cold steep the blend in the fridge overnight, though roots release flavor more slowly in cold water.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Tastes flat or dusty | Water not hot enough or steep too short | Use boiling water and steep the full 10 minutes |
| Too spicy | Too much fresh ginger or long simmer | Use less ginger or add more water and honey |
| Bitter, earthy edge | Too much turmeric | Halve the turmeric and add lemon |
| Gritty sediment | Ground turmeric settles | Use fresh root or a blend, or strain through a fine filter |
| Yellow stains on mugs and counters | Curcumin is a strong pigment | Rinse right away; use glass or dark ceramic; wipe spills fast |
A note on ingredients and safety
Turmeric, ginger and lemon in tea amounts are ordinary kitchen ingredients for most people. That said, supplements with concentrated turmeric are a different matter from a cup of tea, and some blends, including ours, contain licorice root. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition or take medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist before drinking herbal teas regularly.
More caffeine-free cups
If you love warming spice, try Chamomile Ginger, which pairs soft chamomile with ginger and a clean lemon finish for evenings. For a daytime contrast, our tea collection includes black, green and herbal blends, and you can compare caffeine levels in our guide to coffee vs tea caffeine.
Turmeric ginger tea FAQ
Does turmeric ginger tea have caffeine?
No. Turmeric and ginger are naturally caffeine free. Check the label of any blend for added green or black tea.
How long should I steep turmeric ginger tea?
5–10 minutes in boiling water for a loose-leaf blend, or a 10-minute simmer for fresh roots.
Can I use ground turmeric?
Yes. Use about 1/2 teaspoon per two mugs and strain through a fine sieve, as the powder settles.
Should I add black pepper to turmeric tea?
It is optional. A pinch adds warmth, and research shows piperine increases how much curcumin reaches the blood.
Can I drink turmeric ginger tea every day?
Many people do as part of a normal diet. If you are pregnant, take medication or have a health condition, check with your doctor first.
Sources
- Shoba G et al. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica, 1998.
- Stati G et al. Curcuma longa hepatotoxicity: a baseless accusation. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021.
Facts checked in October 2026.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take medication, ask your doctor before changing your caffeine intake.
Keep reading: Coffee vs tea caffeine · How to froth milk · Tea