Mint Ginger Tea: Easy Recipe and How to Make It

Mint ginger tea is a fresh mint and ginger infusion that takes 2 hours 5 minutes to make and yields about 2 cups, or 2 servings.

What is mint ginger tea?

Mint ginger tea combines the cooling flavor of mint with the warm, peppery taste of ginger. This version steeps in the refrigerator rather than in hot water, and you can serve it cold or gently warm it after straining.

Made with mint, ginger and water, mint ginger tea is naturally caffeine-free. It is an option in the broader category of herbal detox tea, though its main practical benefit is adding flavor to water.

How do you make mint ginger tea?

Allow about 5 minutes to prepare the ingredients and at least 2 hours for the refrigerated steep. Leave the ingredients in for up to 4 hours if you prefer a stronger flavor. Warming the tea before serving adds time.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (about 475 ml) drinking water
• 1/4 cup (about 5 g) loosely packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon (1/16 cup; about 5 g) thinly sliced fresh ginger

Method

1. Rinse the mint and ginger under running water.
2. Slice the ginger thinly; peel it if you prefer.
3. Add the mint and ginger to a clean pitcher or covered container.
4. Pour in the water, cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours.
5. Strain the tea into 2 cups, or remove the ingredients from the pitcher.
6. Serve cold, or gently warm a portion before drinking.

For another combination, try the ai detox recipe generator.

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Choosing and preparing the ingredients

Use fresh mint leaves that look green and smell fragrant. Rinse them gently under running water, then measure them loosely rather than packing them tightly into the cup.

Choose firm fresh ginger and rinse it before slicing. Thin slices give the water more contact with the cut ginger; peeling is optional if the skin is clean. You do not need to grate the ginger for this recipe.

Adjusting the flavor

Taste the mint ginger tea after 2 hours. If you prefer a stronger infusion, return it to the refrigerator and continue steeping, up to 4 hours total.

Strain the ingredients out when the flavor suits you. For a future batch, you can adjust the amount of mint or ginger to taste, keeping in mind that the flavor will also depend on the freshness of the ingredients.

Storing mint ginger tea

Keep mint ginger tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Use a clean, covered container and return any unused tea to the refrigerator promptly. Straining out the mint and ginger makes the tea easier to serve, but it does not remove the need for refrigeration.

What does mint ginger tea do for detox?

Mint ginger tea is a flavored drink that can support hydration; it has no established detox effect. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste and sweat removes only trace amounts.

How much mint ginger tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established detox dose or required time of day. Enjoy a 1-cup (about 240 ml) serving with a meal or whenever you would like a caffeine-free drink. The recipe makes approximately 2 servings and can contribute to your usual fluid intake.

What are the side effects of mint ginger tea?

Ginger may cause heartburn or stomach discomfort, and mint can aggravate reflux for some people. If mint ginger tea makes symptoms worse, stop drinking it.

If you take a blood thinner, have a bleeding disorder, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a healthcare professional before consuming large amounts of ginger or using it for a health purpose. Check with a pediatrician before offering herbal preparations regularly to young children.

See a healthcare professional for persistent or worsening digestive symptoms rather than relying on tea. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black stools or trouble breathing.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use dried mint or ground ginger?

Fresh mint and sliced fresh ginger are best for the flavor and clear finish of this recipe. Dried mint or ground ginger can make a different-tasting drink, and ground ginger may leave sediment; the ingredient amounts above are for fresh ingredients.

Can you serve mint ginger tea over ice?

Yes. Strain the tea after its refrigerated steep, then pour it over ice. The melting ice will dilute the flavor, so you may prefer the longer end of the steeping range if you plan to serve it this way.