A simple homemade cold and flu remedy of Honey Lemon & Ginger infused together in a jar.
I feel like I am living in the land of perpetual sickness at the moment. We all seem to be taking our turn with the various colds and flu viruses that are flying around and I don’t think we’ve had one week in the last couple of months where someone hasn’t been feeling a bit under the weather. Being at home with the kids most of the time makes me feel very susceptible to the bugs that they invariably end up picking up from nursery, playgroups or generally just playing with other children. So in an effort to keep myself healthy and happy I decided to make my own immune boosting Honey, Lemon & Ginger Jar.
The concept is as simple as it sounds…. honey, lemon and ginger layered together in a jar and kept in the fridge. Every morning I add a couple of spoonfuls to a mug of warm water and sip it whilst getting the kids’ breakfast sorted. I know some people may prefer to make this kind of drink fresh every morning but I don’t always have fresh lemons and ginger to hand and sometimes the sheer act of having to slice them up is too much hassle so early in the day. Super lazy I know, but this method means I always have the ingredients on hand and I’m far more inclined to stick to this routine when it just involves putting a couple of spoonfuls into some hot water.
If you can, use raw local honey. The honey you buy from the supermarket is usually pasteurised and this process can cause the honey to lose many of its fantastic health benefits, most notably its anti-bacterical, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Local honey also contains pollen from your area and consuming a little every day in the run up to summer is said to help people who suffer badly with hayfever.
As well as acting as a precautionary cold and flu defence, this drink is fantastic if you do come down with any bugs and are suffering with a sore throat. It is suitable for children too. My 3 year old drank a small cup recently when she was complaining of a tickly throat. Just remember that honey isn’t suitable for babies under 1 year old.
Here’s to a whole week bug-free in our house!
Honey Lemon Ginger Jar – Natural Cold & Flu Remedy
Prep Time: 5 mins- Cook Time: 12 hours
- Total Time: 12 hours 5 minutes
Category: Drinks
Cuisine: European
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
A simple homemade cold and flu remedy of Honey Lemon & Jar infused together in a jar
Ingredients
- 400g / 1 cup honey
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 x 500ml / 16oz jar with lid
Instructions
- Add the lemon, ginger and honey to the jar in layers. I placed 2-3 slices of lemon in the jar, added a couple of pieces of ginger and then a few spoonfuls of honey. Repeat until you have used all the produce and the jar is full.
- Screw the lid on tightly and put in the fridge for at least 12 hours before using to allow all the ingredients to combine and the flavours to infuse. When ready, add one or two teaspoons to a mug of warm water and drink immediately.
- It is normal for the lemon juice and the honey to separate in the jar. The honey will settle at the bottom and you will get a delicious lemon and ginger juice towards the top. Rather than continuously mixing them back together I simply take a spoon of the juice and a spoon of the honey from the jar each time I use it.
- The mixture will keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 months.
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Jas says
March 15, 2019 at 1:50 pmMy favourite home remedy too
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Maisy says
March 5, 2018 at 11:08 amHave started having this every morning and it’s so good just to have it in the fridge on hand as I always struggle for time in the mornings! Clever!
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Brenda says
January 4, 2018 at 10:24 pmCould you make this with Meyer Lemons?
Keshav Goyal says
August 12, 2018 at 2:29 pmHey. Can I not refrigerate this? How long this will be good if it stays outside? Because I’m worried about the ginger and lemon as they will start rotten?
Keshav Goyal says
August 12, 2018 at 2:36 pmHey. Can I not refrigerate this? How long this will be good if it stays outside? Because I’m worried about the ginger and lemon as they will start rotten?
Anonymous says
March 4, 2019 at 12:24 amGinger skin must be removed for better health becoz ginger skin gives digestion issues
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Jorge says
December 23, 2017 at 4:56 pmI was wondering. When I run out, can I add water or lemon juice to make the batch last longer?
Terri says
November 13, 2017 at 7:15 pmLove this. Made a jar for myself and for a sister-in-law who isn’t feeling well. Looks like health in a jar. So yummy. Love honey, love lemons and was shy with my ginger portion. Next time I will put in more. Thank you for sharing.
Ciara Attwell says
November 14, 2017 at 9:00 amThe ginger is the best bit! So glad you liked it Terri!
Biljana says
November 17, 2017 at 2:47 pmHi Ciara, can I just eat this with a spoon if i dice all the ingredients together instead of putting it in a drink? Thanks
Ciara Attwell says
November 20, 2017 at 12:04 pmYes you can do that too!
Robin says
January 6, 2018 at 12:36 pmHi there, I’m not able to get fresh ginger where I live. Would it be ok to use powdered ginger
Ciara Attwell says
January 10, 2018 at 9:23 amYes, it won’t be as effective as fresh ginger but it will still taste good!
DIANE says
November 6, 2017 at 11:19 pmI saw this recipe shared on social media and tried it. I’m already on my second jar. I use it daily in warm water, but also use it when i drink my herbal tea at night. Thanks so much for this and for the elderberry syrup recipe that i am also using!
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Ciara Attwell says
November 8, 2017 at 10:05 amSo glad you like it Diane!
peg says
October 22, 2017 at 4:03 pmwow, heard alot of positive things about your recipe, thanks
Julia says
October 3, 2017 at 6:56 pmI always made it fresh, but you’re right, so much easier if you have it in the fridge. Especially as I tend to run out of lemons and then get a cold…
I even made my own cough syrup out of thyme, lemon and honey. Would be great for kids too.
Anna says
July 30, 2017 at 8:40 pmMade this last night. My 3 year old son and I had some this morning and we both loved it. Thank you! Now I saw you mentioned drinking this in the morning but is that it? Just 1x a day or can we drink this several times a day?
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Ciara Attwell says
July 31, 2017 at 8:33 amHi Anna, you can drink it as much as you like but because it is quite sweet I would be wary of giving it to young children too much, only because they might get used to just drinking that and not plain water!
Raj says
April 16, 2017 at 2:46 amHow long can we keep the jar in fridge
Raj says
April 16, 2017 at 2:47 amAlso can lime be substituted ?
Ciara Attwell says
April 16, 2017 at 6:36 pmPerhaps but I’ve never tried it.
Ciara Attwell says
April 16, 2017 at 6:37 pmMine lasts several weeks in the fridge but check on it regularly to make sure it hasn’t gone off.
Laura W. says
January 16, 2017 at 5:58 pmHi, my only suggestion to get the maximum benefit from raw honey is to just use WARM or cool, not hot water. Hot water partially kills the beneficial properties in the raw honey, the same as pasturized honey from the store. As a beekeeper who produces raw honey, I’d hate for you not to get all its amazing benefits!! Have a cup of hot lemon water if you want something hot, then follow it up with a warm drink of this. (or visa versa haha) It sound amazing and I will be making some!
Ciara Attwell says
January 16, 2017 at 8:40 pmThanks for the tips Laura!
Katie says
January 7, 2017 at 8:59 pmThis is just what I need! Does the jar need to be sterilized and sealed as done when canning, or can I simply screw a lid on? Does that make sense?
Ciara Attwell says
January 8, 2017 at 3:45 pmIt’s up to you. I don’t sterilize that jar as I keep it in the fridge and tend to use it up pretty quickly but its up to you!
Tonya says
November 28, 2017 at 12:12 amThe recipe is very delish i caught a cold sunday after church so so i figured why not try it i will let u know how it works out thank u
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Margaret says
December 22, 2016 at 12:20 pmNo ginger to be found in my village I have ground or stem can I use either as substitute?
Ciara Attwell says
December 23, 2016 at 8:27 pmNo it has to be fresh ginger to really get the benefits but you can leave it out.
Margaret says
December 24, 2016 at 2:02 pmThank you, I managed to buy some fresh ginger this morning, my jar is in the fridge ready for xmas morning ????
Ciara Attwell says
December 24, 2016 at 4:43 pmPerfect!!
Doris dean says
January 1, 2017 at 8:12 pmDo I peel the ginger first????
Ciara Attwell says
January 2, 2017 at 7:27 pmNo I don’t bother but you can if you want!
E. Smythe says
December 20, 2016 at 11:52 pmCan you use powdered ginger (from a jar) instead of fresh? I don’t want to go out tonight to source a piece of fresh ginger! Thanks!
Ciara Attwell says
December 23, 2016 at 8:28 pmSorry but it really has to be fresh ginger to get the benefits but you can make it with just the lemon and honey.
Yvonne says
December 14, 2016 at 2:41 pmDo you think it is a good if I blend the lemon and ginger instead of slicing?
Ciara Attwell says
December 15, 2016 at 10:57 amHi, you could certainly try. Although it might make the drink a bit bitty, if that makes sense?!!
Yvonne says
December 15, 2016 at 1:20 pmYes, it makes sense. Thanks
Gallager D Mark says
November 19, 2016 at 6:37 amA simple homemade cold and flu remedy of Honey Lemon & Ginger infused together in a jar. This is such a good idea. I’m an avid fan of the lemon, ginger & honey combo but never thought to have it ready in a jar to use. Love it. I also love your amazing photos!
Ciara Attwell says
November 22, 2016 at 6:26 pmThank you so much!
Eve says
October 6, 2016 at 8:13 pmHi, love the video. I was wondering about a few things.
1: If I peeled the lemons instead, would the whole mixture last longer? (I would use lemon for that mint leaf, lemon and cucumber detox drink and found that the mixtures without the lemon peel on the slices lasted longer in the fridge than those with the peel. The taste was much better. I guess I just wanted to know if the same principle applies here.)
2: I have raw, unpasteurized honey and at room temp it is smooth but chunky and not transparent in color like regular honey is. I’m just trying to figure out how I would keep this mixture in liquid form if I do use the raw honey and keep it in the fridge.
Carolyn says
October 6, 2016 at 8:57 amHow much ginger do I need to slice thinly for tea??? Would you say a thumb size would be sufficient ?
Thanks so much!!!
Ciara Attwell says
October 6, 2016 at 10:53 amIt really depends how much you like. Ginger can be quite strong so I would start with just a couple of thin slices and see how it tastes!
Derek says
September 16, 2016 at 11:42 pmHello. Do i have to first wash lemon amd ginger ?
And if i wash do i make sure its completely dry?
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Ciara Attwell says
September 19, 2016 at 8:07 amYes make sure its dry if you wash it.
Jennifer says
February 13, 2016 at 6:10 pmAfter it is infused for 12 or so hours, do I leave the lemons and ginger pieces in the jar? Am anxious to try this and I have some friends I’m going to make it for also! Thanks.
Ciara Attwell says
February 14, 2016 at 9:54 amYes I leave it all in the jar and in the fridge!
Michelle says
January 31, 2016 at 1:14 pmI have just made this ,the smell is lovely. I’m leaving it overnight and having it as a herbal tea in the morning.
How many servings will I get out of this or better still how many calories is in a serving.
Ciara Attwell says
January 31, 2016 at 2:33 pmHi, I don’t know the calorie count but you will get a lot of servings from this. My jar lasts me a few weeks even using a little bit every day.
Anne says
January 21, 2016 at 2:43 amWe have been sick since Christmas so going tomorrow to make this. I have never worked with fresh ginger does it need peeled or just slice it?
Ciara Attwell says
January 21, 2016 at 1:53 pmHi Anne, you just need to slice it, no need to peel!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
February 25, 2015 at 1:51 pmI have this everyday as a drink but your version is much more time saving than mine.
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Ciara Attwell says
February 25, 2015 at 7:13 pmThat’s why I had the idea to put it in a jar. I just don’t have the time to faff around with cutting lemons and ginger every morning!
Honest mum says
February 25, 2015 at 10:47 amGenius idea, why have I not thought of this, love, love, love it! Thank you -bye bye bugs xx
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Ciara Attwell says
February 25, 2015 at 7:13 pmThanks Vicki! It’s such a time saver in the morning. I love it!
Jules says
February 25, 2015 at 9:05 amYou’ve no idea how much we need this right now! #TastyTuesday
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Ciara Attwell says
February 25, 2015 at 10:45 amI am exactly the same! Hope it helps!
Anita-Clare Field says
February 24, 2015 at 3:32 pmThis is genius ! absolutely genius and I have so many Kilner Jars. I am going to make some of this once I can get my hands on some local honey. I have terrible hay fever !
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Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:11 pmThank you! I have so many kilner jars too. I am a bit of a jar hoarder!!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
February 24, 2015 at 3:04 pmMmm this sounds lovely, I love honey and lemon but hopefully I won’t be needing it x #tastytuesdays
Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:12 pmIt makes a great morning cleansing drink too. Not just for cold and flues!
Lauryn says
February 24, 2015 at 11:02 amWhat an easy and fantastic idea! Love it! 🙂 #TastyTuesday
Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:12 pmThanks Lauryn x
Rachael A says
February 24, 2015 at 10:55 amI swear by honey and ginger with lemon as a cold remedy and I’m pleased to see I’m not the only one! Of course I naturally think that Kent honey is by far the best!
Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:13 pmOf course. Its far superior to any other honey out there!!!
Isil says
February 24, 2015 at 10:22 amI make this and it is extremely effective. Highly recommended!
Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:13 pmGlad to find another honey and lemon lover out there!
International Elf Service says
February 24, 2015 at 8:59 amThis is such a good idea. I’m an avid fan of the lemon, ginger & honey combo but never thought to have it ready in a jar to use. Love it. I also love your amazing photos!
Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:13 pmThank you so much! x
North East Family Fun says
February 24, 2015 at 8:45 amWow this is great – I could have done with this earlier in the week but my symptoms have cleared now. Will bookmark to use in the future though #tastytuesdays
Ciara Attwell says
February 24, 2015 at 8:14 pmThank you. Hope you like it when you do try it