How to Brew Ginger and Manuka Honey Tea for Colds
By Best Teas Online - Buy Tea Online - Online Tea Shop | Published: 2026-10-14
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to brewing ginger and manuka honey tea for colds, from water temperature to steeping time, plus the one mistake that makes it taste bitter.
Quick answer
Brew ginger and manuka honey tea by steeping the tea in water just off the boil for 3 to 5 minutes, then letting it cool for a minute or two before adding honey. Adding honey to boiling water flattens its flavor, so wait until the cup is warm rather than scalding. For colds, sip it slowly while it is still warm, and use one tea envelope or temple per 8 to 10 ounces of water.
Why temperature and timing matter more than the tea itself
Ginger and manuka honey tea is a blend of strong flavors: gingery heat, smooth liquorice notes, and an earthy manuka honey finish. If you pour fully boiling water straight onto it, the ginger can turn sharp and the honey note can taste dull. Water at about 200°F to 210°F, just off a rolling boil, extracts the warmth and sweetness without the bite. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Shorter gives you a lighter cup; longer pulls out more heat and can get bitter, especially if you squeeze the tea bag afterward.
The same logic applies when you reheat a cup. Microwaving already-brewed tea can push it back to boiling and flatten the honey. If you need to warm it up, do it briefly and stop before it steams hard.
How to build a cold-day cup that actually soothes
When you have a cold, the goal is a warm, easy-to-drink cup you will actually finish. Start with 8 to 10 ounces of water so the flavor is not too concentrated, and keep the tea in the cup while you drink it if you want it to get stronger over time. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness, but add it after steeping so the acidity does not compete with the ginger. If your throat is sore, let the cup cool to a comfortable warm temperature rather than drinking it hot; warm liquids are easier to sip repeatedly.
Honey is the one ingredient worth measuring. A teaspoon or two per cup is enough to round out the ginger and liquorice. Stir it in after the tea has cooled slightly so it dissolves without being cooked by the water.
Steps to brew ginger and manuka honey tea for colds
- Heat the water to just off boiling: Bring water to a boil, then let it sit for 30 to 60 seconds before pouring. This keeps the ginger from turning harsh and protects the honey note. Checkpoint: the water should be steaming but not bubbling hard.
- Add one tea envelope or temple per cup: Use 8 to 10 ounces of water for each tea envelope or temple. If you like a stronger cup, add a second envelope rather than steeping the first one longer. Mistake to avoid: cramming a small cup with too much tea, which makes it bitter.
- Steep for 3 to 5 minutes: Set a timer. Three minutes gives a gentler cup; five minutes brings out more ginger heat. Do not press or squeeze the tea bag when you remove it. Checkpoint: taste at 3 minutes and decide whether to go longer.
- Let it cool for 1 to 2 minutes, then add honey: Stir in a teaspoon or two of honey once the cup is warm rather than scalding. This preserves the honey flavor and helps it dissolve evenly. Mistake to avoid: adding honey to boiling water, which dulls its taste.
- Sip slowly while warm: Drink it at a comfortable warm temperature, especially if your throat is sore. Make a fresh cup rather than reheating an old one. Next step: keep a second envelope nearby so you can brew another cup without measuring again.
Product facts
- ginger and manuka honey tea: Ginger and manuka honey tea is a caffeine-free blend with gingery heat, smooth liquorice notes, and an earthy manuka honey finish. Because it is caffeine-free, you can drink it in the evening or between other cups without worrying about staying awake.
