Hot or Cold Ginger Drink is so easy to make and loaded with nutrients that is beneficial to one’s health. Ginger root or ginger powder can be used to make this savory healthy drink. I prefer to use fresh ginger root which is easily available at any grocery store.

In Asian cuisine, fresh ginger is a popular spice as well as fresh onion and garlic. In Filipino cooking, these three spices and tomato are staples when sauteing meat, fish or vegetables. Ginger adds a pungent and savory flavor to any dish. Adding ginger to fish or seafood takes away the unpleasant fishy taste.

Growing up, my mom fed us a light meal like Chicken Ginger Soup (Tinolang Manok) in the onset of flu. I have incorporated in my diet to drink it on a daily basis. Ginger tea or a cold ginger drink. You can also prepare turmeric the same way. In my brother’s household, turmeric drink is a staple which has many health benefits like ginger.

Ginger tea is so calming and soothing especially when I have a cold or a nagging cough. During allergy season, which seems to be all year round now, ginger is on top of my list as it greatly helps alleviate my symptoms. I always carry sliced fresh ginger to quiet my intermittent annoying coughing.

Before I go on vacation, if I have ginger, lemon or any citrus fruits like kumquat that will go to waste, I boil them all in one pot. It is a concoction of healthy spice and fruits. I swear by kumquat, another good one similar to calamansi (key lime).

Here’s a funny story when we vacationed in the Philippines early this year. We went to the market to get crabs, shrimp and clams. Instead of waiting in the van, me and my brother strolled around the fruit and vegetable area. As a Filipino, I have a habit of touching and feeling the fruit. My brother said don’t touch it or you will pay for it. The vendor, a young lady in her late 20’s, heard my brother and smiled. My brother saw me again touching another fruit and uttered the same thing. The lady went along with him and said Sir, mom touched it again so now you have to buy it. They saw me again touching another one and she said it again. She was funny, pleasant and friendly so we end up buying fruits from her and we took a picture with her too.

In the Philippines, people are very respectful. They addressed you as Sir or Mom which to me felt so awkward since I have spent most of my adult life in the US. Here in the US, I got used to addressing people even elders with their first names or if I don’t know them, I just ask my question without saying sir or mom. And yes, they don’t appreciate anyone feeling the fruits and vegetables which is understandable. They are trying to make a living and if everybody did that, they’ll end up with bruised produce that they cannot sell anymore. So next time, I better remember not to touch anything since not all vendors are as friendly as her.

Tips When Making Hot or Cold Ginger Drink

Select ginger with a firm texture and smooth skin. Avoid pieces that looked bruised, soft and wrinkled.
Store ginger in plastic in the vegetable bin of your fridge to keep it fresh.
You can also store peeled and sliced ginger in an air tight plastic like zip lock or food saver in the freezer.
The easiest way to peel a ginger is with a spoon.
Cut ginger lengthwise like matchsticks.
Boil and have it simmer for about 20 minutes.
When cool, transfer it to a pitcher.
Drink it hot or cold.
Add lemon or honey with your drink, if you desire.

Benefits of Ginger

Ginger has medicinal properties that can improve one’s health, but before taking ginger it is best to consult your doctor if you are taking any medications or dealing with health issues.

Ginger is high in substance called gingerol with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It can help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Studies have shown, it can help improve heart disease risk factors and lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Helps prevent nausea from sea sickness, pregnant related nausea or morning sickness, nausea after surgery and chemotherapy related nausea.
Ginger can help treat chronic indigestion.
It is a pain reliever like menstrual pain.
It helps lower LDL cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels.
Due to its high antioxidant properties, it is used as an alternative treatment for certain types of cancer.
It can protect against age-related damage to the brain.
It helps fight infection.

For detailed explanation about the benefits of ginger go to Healthline.com.

As you can see, ginger has many benefits and maybe more that we are not aware of. It is cheap and it doesn’t take much of your time to make this healthy ginger drink.

Recipe

Easy Hot or Cold Ginger Drink

Ginger drink is easy to make with many health benefits.

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Filipino

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 22

Servings:

Calories: 2kcal

Ingredients

4 thumb sized fresh ginger root peeled and cut
12 cups water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Wash ginger.
Peel ginger using a spoon.
Cut lengthwise into matchstick sizes.
In a deep pot, combine ginger and water.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Enjoy hot ginger tea or cold drink.
When cool, strain and transfer drink to a pitcher and place in the fridge.

Notes

If you like, keep the boiled sliced ginger and eat it. Why waste it? The pungent flavor is not as strong but it can still help soothe a scratchy throat.

Nutrition