I’m feeling particularly nostalgic at the end of this year, mainly because it was our first full year of parenting. This year Adriana blossomed from a 3 month old baby in January into a 15 month old hilarious, chatty, and very strong-willed toddler by December. The change!!! We witnessed first words, first crawls, first teeth, and first steps in 2015. My iphone filled capacity countless times (breathe…), but I still worried that I wasn’t capturing enough. The sheer amount of development, growth, and experiences that we’ve shared together in 2015 are enough to make my eyes well up with tears. Even though I know there were tough times in every area of life, right now I’m reflecting through rose coloured glasses. I hope the memories will stay a part of me in one way or another, even if I wasn’t so great at documenting everything like I did in the early months.
Like every year, I consumed more than my fair share of treats this month. After we got home from visiting family, I found myself at the grocery store stuffing my cart with produce galore and planning homemade plant-heavy meals in an effort to bring back the balance. The great thing about plant-based eating is that it only takes a day or two to get back on track and feel energized once again. I’m not someone who shuns sweets entirely at the start of a year (I love my dark chocolate way too much), but instead prefer to focus on what I’m adding to my diet. Celebrate that stuff!
I love, love, love experimenting with homemade hot tonics, and I’ve been tweaking my favourite concoctions for a few years now. I know anything detox is so cliche this time of the year, but this drink really does make me feel amazing after weeks of indulgences so I don’t even care. In the past, I’ve often used fresh turmeric, fresh ginger, cayenne, and sliced lemon (see my “Healing rooibos tea” on page 69 of The Oh She Glows Cookbook), which is awesome, but it requires a trip to the grocery store, and finding fresh turmeric can be hit or miss. Recipes need to be accessible so I came up with this delicious “pantry” version for those times when I want it now. It’s fast, there’s no grating/peeling involved (unless you opt for the fresh ginger version), and you can keep the ingredients on hand in your pantry (aside from the lemon, but I usually have those miracle workers on hand!) to enjoy any time the craving strikes. Yes, you will crave this drink…it’s that good. I know this is going to be my reset button drink all winter long.
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Hot Detox Tonic
Yield
2 cups (500 mL)
Soak time
7-8 minutes
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Get ready to feel warm, energized, and ready to tackle the day! This is my new go-to hot beverage of choice when I want to hit the reset button, amp up my metabolism, and boost circulation. It comes together fast with ingredients that I tend to keep on hand. I love to drink this throughout the day, but it’s especially effective when consumed on an empty stomach after waking. I use a ginger tea bag for a quick option, but I provide a fresh ginger option below too. Also, if you ever have some kicking around, fresh mint is an invigorating, tummy-soothing addition.
Ingredients
- 1 ginger tea bag or 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger*
- 2 cups (500 mL) boiling water
- Few dashes cinnamon, to taste**
- Few dashes ground turmeric, to taste
- Few dashes cayenne pepper, to taste (use less if you don’t like heat)
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) apple cider vinegar
- 1 small lemon slice
- Pure maple syrup, to taste (I use 1 teaspoon/5 mL)
Directions
- Grab an extra large mug or a small teapot (3-cup capacity). Place ginger tea bag inside.
- Boil 2 cups of water and pour all the water into the mug/teapot. Cover and steep the ginger tea for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Remove tea bag. Set aside the tea bag to cool. Once the tea bag has cooled a bit you can gently squeeze it into the pot to infuse the tea with even more ginger flavour.
- Add the cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne. Whisk until combined.
- Add the vinegar and drop in the lemon wedge. Whisk to infuse the lemon.
- Add maple syrup to taste, and whisk to combine.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tip:
- * For the fresh ginger version: Pop the fresh grated ginger into a tea ball or mesh tea steeper, and steep tea for about 6 to 7 minutes. Proceed as usual.
- ** The spices tend to settle at the bottom of the mug/pot. Simply whisk it now and then to redistribute.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I’d like to wish you all a New Year filled with happiness, health, love, and your wildest dreams becoming reality! Thank you for all your support, comments, love, and encouragement in 2015. I can’t wait to share the fun things we have coming up in 2016.
Angela
This tonic is delightful (I used half a lemon’s worth of juice rather than just a slice). It makes me feel satiated and helps me start a healthy day. And it’s so easy! Thank you!
So delicious! I’ve made a similar tonic in the past, but the addition of turmeric and cinnamon is a lovely touch! I was out of pure maple syrup, so I used raw honey, which works just as well. Thanks for the pick me up!
I absolutely adore this tea! Tried it for the first time this week and my energy level is so much better in the morning and throughout the day :) Was wondering where you got the lovely teapot Angela? :)
This is THE best tonic I’ve ever had. It’s like a delicious apple cinnamon tea. It’s great cold, too!
Everyday I find a way to get 1 tsp of turmeric into me for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Needless to say, I’m pretty sick of turmeric at this point and sick of my go-to ways of getting that much into me daily. This tonic is something I look forward to everyday now, especially since you can’t really taste the turmeric.
I recommend making a huge batch (with everything but the ACV and lemon) to store in your fridge so it’s easy to use all week long! Just add the ACV and lemon after re-heating.
Thanks, Angela! I’ve been telling everyone I know to make this!
I’d like to try this but I’m not a fan of hot drinks. Is it just as good cold? Any substitutions I should make?
Yes, it is delicious cold! And better in a way because it’s not killing the enzymes in the ACV and lemon. I often drink it at room temperature to help with digestion. Definitely give it a try cold!
This sounds so soothing!!! I’ll have to make this! Bummed your tea shoppe is gone – It was soo good!!!
Hi Angela, what time of the day should I take this drink? or is it all day drink?
Please let me know when is the best time. Thanks for the recipe, Rebeka
Hey Angela, do you have a recipe for a black beans with coconut milk soup?
Just made this this morning in my new glass 4 cup coffee pot. LOVED it! Love the taste and love it in my cute new pot! Going to go take the goods to my sick friends this AM and make her a pot. It’s just so tasty and darling (the pot that is :) Thank you! Keep this wonderful recipes coming. XXOO
Ahhhh! I’ve been making something similar to help my poor marathon fatigued body, one unexpected bonus was the brightening of my skin!
Hi there! Have been a big fan of yours for years and preordered your first cookbook way back when! I started drinking this detox tonic at the start of the year to help cleanse as I am cleaning up my diet (again) and plan to lose a little weight before a yoga retreat in Honduras that I am leading in March.
I’d like to add one thing: in order for the body to best absorb turmeric, it must be consumed with fat. I’ve adding a 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil to the tonic and find it actually improves the taste while ensuring I am reaping all the benefits!
Thank you for your inspiration and Happy New Year!
This looks so yummy. I found this because I often refer to your site for the avocado crema which I love on toast. I can’t wait to try this next!
I love the citrus tea recipe in the book that has that hint of cayenne, it’s one of my favorites! I love hot detox drinks/teas too, so I’m excited to try this one! Happy New Year, Angela!
My body definitely needs some detoxification. Hope your recipe will help out. :)
Drinking this at work right now instead of my usual coffee. So refreshing and warming at the same time. How is this possible? Lol! Thanks for the simple idea.
Can you tell me where you purchased your tea pot? Its so beautiful!
Thank you for the recipe! My friends and I are all hooked! I have two questions though! Is this okay to drink every day? I’m trying to replace coffee and also where can I get that tea pot?? It’s so cool!
I absolutely love this drink. I must have made it at least a dozen times by now, mostly with fresh ginger. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!! :)
These ingredients are powerful anti-inflammatories and antioxidants to the body. Drink that, and your body will be very thankful. I swear – I know from experience! <3
I drink this all day at work, hot, cold or in-between. I’m now using twice the spices (or more). The intense flavours satisfy my palate much more than weak herbal teas. It didn’t stop me from catching my daughter’s cold tho – darn!