Good morning, Monday. Good morning, January. Good morning, thick socks. Good morning, extra-hot tea. Good morning, chilly ears. Good morning, Winter.
We’re in it.
My nose has been perpetually sniffly these days, and as the sun diminishes early, I feel my energy slagging.
I’m trying to keep my refrigerator stocked with all sorts of comforts and boosters to keep my eyes up and on the prize.
This spicy, sweet Winter Lemonade is my winter elixir. This.. and bourbon, because DUH.
Here’s what we need: good sense, a positive attitude, fresh lemons, honey, fresh ginger, whole cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Water, too. Bourbon is optional.
Fresh lemon juice, all tart and tangy.
Combined with honey, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and cardamom pods.
Combined in a pot. Simmered with fresh ginger and left to steep.
This lemonade is tart and round. It’s soothing on the throat and spicy on the tongue. It’s such a mellow and comforting winter tonic. Here’s to us!
PrintWinter Lemonade with ginger and cloves
Mellow, spiced and soothing Winter elixir.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 1/2 cups filtered water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 inches fresh ginger, unpeeled and coarsely chopped
- 5 whole cloves
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan combine lemon juice, half of the water, honey, ginger, and spices. Bring to a simmer, stir until honey is dissolved, and remove from heat.
- Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Add the remaining water.
- Refrigerate until chilled through. Serve over ice! Enjoy!
sundiegoeats
Hmm now I’m thinking of all the other juices you could add spices too – blood orange cloves sounds particularly nice :)
Acacia
I love the idea of a winter lemonade!! I’m definitely going to try this soon.
Susan E
Joy, I love all those ingredients, thanks! I just got my Door to Door Organics delivered and got 3 big lemons. I always have ginger in my refrigerator. I make ginger “tea” a lot with my fresh ginger and just add the honey after the water is almost cooled so it still keeps the good bacteria in the raw honey.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Winter lemonade + bourbon may just be glass of heaven!
rachel
Oh, Joy, I need one of these, like, right now. Haha, looks awesome!
Kathryn
Mmm I love the idea of a winter lemonade!! (Especially with bourbon!) This looks beautiful and refreshing and like the perfect kind of pick-me-up for cold January afternoons.
xx Kathryn
http://www.throughthethicket.ca
Emily @ Life on Food
I feel like if you drink this you would be ready for anything. It sounds amazing!
Kimberly Espinel (@TLPlantation)
Healthy and delicious. I love it.
Hope you feel better soon.
Cathie
Please explain what you mean by “2 inches of ginger”.
joythebaker
A ginger root that measures two inches in length!
Elisabeth
This looks delicious!! I wish I had cardamom pods; I only have ground cardamom. Would that work?
joythebaker
Hi Elisabeth, it would but use it sparingly! Add a bit and then give it a taste and add a bit more if needed!
Ella
Wow, this looks and sounds amazingly refreshing! Way to beat those winter blues.
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Margeaux Vittoria
How creative!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
This sounds so perfect because I am so over winter and so into this spicy spiked lemonade!
Emilee
YUM! I need this in my life. Regular lemonade just makes me long for summer.
shelly
i am sick, so i’m thinking this i will make this lemonade and drink it hot. perhaps it will cure what ails me, hot toddy-style. thanks joy
Lauren // lavender + vine
I agree, I was just thinking that this would make a fabulous tea. Maybe thats just because it’s so cold that all I want to consume is soup and tea though…