Hot Lemon and Honey
Fresh lemon juice and a spoonful of honey stirred into hot water, with a slice of ginger if you like. The comforting British home drink for grey days and scratchy throats.
How to Make Hot Lemon and Honey
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Boil the kettle. Cut the lemon in half, then cut a thin slice from one half and set it aside, and squeeze the juice from the rest, which gives about 3 tablespoons.
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Put the ginger and cinnamon stick, if using, in a large mug and pour over the boiling water. Leave for 3 minutes to infuse.
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Stir in the lemon juice and honey until the honey dissolves. Taste and add more honey or lemon as you like.
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Float the slice of lemon on top and serve hot.
Tips for Making Hot Lemon and Honey
- Let the water cool for a minute after boiling. It gives a fresher, brighter flavour than water at a full boil.
- Squeeze the lemon fresh. Bottled juice has a flat, harsh taste, and the fresh oil from the zest makes a big difference.
- Add the honey after the water has cooled slightly. It dissolves easily and keeps its floral flavour.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- A quarter-teaspoon of ground ginger per tablespoon of fresh is the standard ratio if you are working from the spice rack rather than a fresh root.
What to Serve with Hot Lemon and Honey
- A slice of buttered toast
- A digestive biscuit
- A warm blanket
Storing & Reheating Hot Lemon and Honey
Best drunk straight away. A jug of the lemon and honey base, without the hot water, keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Hot Lemon and Honey FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Hot Lemon and Honey take to make?
About 6 minutes in total — 3 minutes of preparation and 3 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 1.
What are the key tips for making Hot Lemon and Honey?
Let the water cool for a minute after boiling. It gives a fresher, brighter flavour than water at a full boil. Squeeze the lemon fresh. Bottled juice has a flat, harsh taste, and the fresh oil from the zest makes a big difference. Add the honey after the water has cooled slightly. It dissolves easily and keeps its floral flavour.
What should I serve with Hot Lemon and Honey?
A slice of buttered toast; A digestive biscuit; A warm blanket.
How should Hot Lemon and Honey be stored?
Best drunk straight away. A jug of the lemon and honey base, without the hot water, keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Is Hot Lemon and Honey suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Hot Lemon and Honey?
About 44 kcal per serving, with 0 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Hot Lemon and Honey Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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