Just a cup of Honey Lemon tea soothes the throat and is perfect when you are suffering from a cold. Basically, in warm water, you add lemon and honey. The tea leaves, if added, are a pinch. You can add tulsi also called holy basil or mint when you heat the water.

Our paediatrician recommended this soothing brew for my daughter when she was younger. Now we drink it every time we feel the beginning of a cold, especially in the monsoon. This is our home remedy for colds and coughs now.
The other beverages you may like are tea, kashyam, haldi doodh, chocolate milk, and soups. However, this honey lemon tea towers over others as it is easy to make, a natural herbal option, and most importantly, it soothes the throat and eases the symptoms of a cold.
This is an old post I am updating now with a writeup.
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Ingredients
These are your ingredients; for quantities, please check the recipe card.
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Ginger (optional)
- Tulsi or holy basil (optional)
- Tea leaves (optional)
- Black raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the water with the black raisins (if using) and tulsi leaves, reducing it to 1 cup.
- Add the tea leaves, if using, and set aside to steep.
- Cool a bit before adding the honey and lemon, and stir well.
- Drink up warm.
Tip: Do not add lemon juice and honey to boiling water.
Substitutions
- Honey: if you are vegan, avoid the honey and add jaggery or sugar.
- Holy basil: or tulsi, you can avoid completely. One of my neighbours suggested adding the flowers, also called Manjiri," which works better.
- Tea: you can avoid these, especially for toddlers.
- Ginger: I love ginger in my honey lemon tea you can leave it out totally.
Variations
- Additives: You can add mint, lemongrass, and ginger individually. Leave out anything based on your preferences, dietary restrictions, or availability of ingredients.
- Kid-friendly: add black raisins to help ease the cold, especially for toddlers.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Strainer
- Cups
Storage
- Do not store honey lemon tea. Use up in 8–10 hours I carry in a thermos flask to work.
Pro Tips
- Do not add lemon or honey to boiling water. Let it cool down before adding both. In Ayurveda, you do not boil honey. Vitamin C disintegrates in boiling water.
- Feel free to leave out the ginger, tea leaves or any ingredient you do not have or like.
FAQ
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Why drink honey-lemon tea?
Simply because it is a natural remedy that is easy to make. Soothes the throat and relieves cold symptoms. Warm water, lemon and honey are known for their comforting health benefits for symptoms of cold.
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Are there any kid-friendly alternatives to honey lemon tea?
This tea is kid and toddler-friendly, but you can avoid tea leaves and ginger. Add holy basil or tulsi black raisins to the concoction. Test the temperature of the water before offering it to the cranky child. Please feel free to leave out what you do not have in your pantry. Take into consideration dietary restrictions and preferences before adding any ingredients.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favourite dishes to serve with Honey Lemon tea:
Summary: Alleviate cold symptoms with honey lemon tea that is naturally herbal and easy to make. Extremely versatile, you can add or remove ingredients you don't have or have dietary restrictions. Gentle and soothing lemon honey tea is in line with holistic health practices.

Honey Lemon Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon tea leaves optional
- ½ teaspoon ginger chopped, optional
- 4-5 leaves of tulsi/holy basil optional
- 4-5 black raisins optional
Instructions
- Boil the water with the ginger, black raisins and tulsi leaves (if using) reduce it to 1 cup.
- Add tea leaves if using and let the mixture steep.
- Cool bit before adding the honey and lemon stir well.
- Drink up hot.
Vaishali says
Adding raisins to tea is new to me, must give this a try! Sounds very interesting.
Mayuri Patel says
We usually make it without the tea leaves. And you are absolutely right, it is beneficial to have honey lemon tea especially during the colder months as it helps to prevent colds and coughs.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri.
Renu says
This is so good for for digestion as well as for calming you. Loved the little bits you have mentioned in the recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.