Citrus and Herb Tonic

Name: Citrus and Herb Tonic
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1 3/4 quarts
Ingredients: 2 whole limes, scrubbed; 1 whole lemon, scrubbed; 1 whole orange, scrubbed; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 lemongrass stalk, approximately 8 inches long, cut into 2-inch pieces and crushed; 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, scrubbed and thinly sliced; 5 fresh oregano sprigs; Hot water, for serving; Honey, for serving

By Yewande Komolafe

Published Jan. 26, 2022

Citrus and Herb Tonic — Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Roscoe Betsill. Prop Stylist: Maeve Sheridan.

Total Time: 30 minutes
Rating: 4(786)
Comments: Read comments

This simple infusion is loaded with bright winter citrus and heady aromatics. It works as a tea for sipping while curled up on a sofa or on the go, and it will add a spot of sunshine to your day. Treat this recipe as a concentrate — you can make it ahead of time and store it refrigerated in a covered container. To serve, portion in mugs and dilute with boiling water. Drizzle with honey or your sweetener of choice.

Featured in: Three Restorative Recipes to Warm From Within

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Ingredients

Yield:1¾ quarts

2whole limes, scrubbed
1whole lemon, scrubbed
1whole orange, scrubbed
1teaspoon ground turmeric
1lemongrass stalk, approximately 8 inches long, cut into 2-inch pieces and crushed
1(2-inch) piece ginger, scrubbed and thinly sliced
5fresh oregano sprigs
Hot water, for serving
Honey, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
Slice the limes, lemon and orange into ¼-inch-thick rounds, leaving the skin on. Place the citrus slices in a medium pot and fill with 8 cups of water. Stir in the turmeric and add the lemongrass pieces. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Remove from heat, and add the sliced ginger and fresh oregano. Cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a mesh sieve.
Step 3
Serve hot in mugs, as 1- to 2-ounce portions, diluted to taste with more hot water and sweetened with a drizzle of honey. Tonic can be cooled and stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, portion the cold tonic into mugs and top with boiling water.

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Ratings

4 out of 5

786 user ratings

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Comments

Sean3 years ago

Just made this and it's lovely. Perfect for a cold, covid recovery, or just a cold winter's night. I found that a 1/4 tonic to 3/4 hot water ratio was just right with a splash of honey. A note of caution: this is a messy recipe and you will get turmeric stains everywhere if you're not careful. Use dishes you don't care about and prepare to scrub them thoroughly to get the stains out.

Kit M.3 years ago

Absolutely delightful. I couldn’t find lemongrass so I substituted by adding an extra lemon and some mint. Also threw in some fresh turmeric root because I had it on hand. Wish I had this recipe a week ago when I was sick with Omicron!

Heather3 years ago

I don’t have lemongrass so I used 8 or 10 cardamom pods. Delicious sunshine in a mug! I would double the ginger next time.

Theresa4 months ago

Nice beverage before bed

CM5 months ago

The first time I made this is was incredibly bitter, and while I don’t mind some bitterness, it was over my tolerance level. I tried a second time, instead zesting the citrus and squeezing in the juice. I also grated some of the ginger and squeezed the juice from the bits, keeping the juice aside to add to the steeped tonic. Perfect refreshing tonic with a bit of a gingery bite!

Alex5 months ago

I did what people said about the limes and it still came out bitter :(

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