Turmeric tea is a golden, earthy drink you can make with a few simple ingredients. Serve it warm, keep it plain, or add a little honey and lemon to suit your taste. To learn more about different types of teas, read my tea brewing guides.
Quick Answer
To make turmeric tea, combine turmeric powder and water in a saucepan and gently simmer for about 10 minutes. Pour into cups, let it cool slightly, and add honey or lemon if desired. Ground turmeric can settle at the bottom, so stir before sipping.
A Simple Cup of Homemade Tea
Making tea at home gives you room to experiment with flavors and find a combination you enjoy. Turmeric has a stronger, earthier taste than many floral or fruity teas, so start with a small amount and adjust from there.
If you’re exploring drinks made with herbs and spices, my guide to what herbal tea is explains how these infusions differ from traditional tea.
Why You’ll Enjoy this Turmeric Tea
- It uses pantry ingredients.
- You can adjust the strength and sweetness.
- It tastes good with several different spices and citrus flavors.
- The basic recipe contains no tea leaves.
Ingredient Notes
Ground turmeric: This gives the drink its golden color and earthy flavor. Use culinary turmeric powder from the spice aisle.
Water: Water keeps this version light and lets the turmeric flavor stand out.
Black pepper, optional: A small pinch adds a peppery note. Leave it out if you prefer a milder drink.
Honey, optional: Add a little sweetness after brewing, then taste before adding more.
Lemon, optional: A squeeze of lemon adds a bright, tart flavor.
Fresh ginger, optional: A few thin slices give the tea a stronger, spicy flavor. Add them while the tea simmers.
Step-by-Step Directions
- Add 4 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric to a small saucepan. Add a small pinch of black pepper, if using.
- Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat. If you added sliced ginger or other whole spices, strain them out.
- Pour into four cups. Let the tea cool slightly, then add honey or lemon to taste.
Ground turmeric does not dissolve completely. A regular tea strainer will remove ginger slices and whole spices, but some turmeric powder will pass through.
Pro Tips
Start with a milder cup. You can add more turmeric next time if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Stir before serving. Some powder may settle as the tea sits.
Taste before sweetening. Add honey a little at a time so you can find the balance you enjoy.
Wipe up spills promptly. Turmeric can stain towels, counters, and some containers.
Substitutions and Variations
Turmeric ginger tea: Add a few thin slices of fresh ginger while simmering. Strain before serving.
Lemon and honey turmeric tea: Stir in a squeeze of lemon and a little honey after brewing.
Cinnamon turmeric tea: Simmer with a small cinnamon stick and remove it before serving.
Maple-sweetened tea: Use maple syrup in place of honey.
Iced turmeric tea: Cool the brewed tea, refrigerate, and serve over ice. Stir well before pouring.
Creamy turmeric drink: For a different version, experiment with milk or an unsweetened plant-based milk. A milk-based turmeric drink is commonly called golden milk. Leave out the lemon in this variation.
Storage and Freezing
Turmeric tea is simplest to prepare fresh. If you make extra, cool it promptly and refrigerate it in a covered container. Stir before serving and warm only the portion you plan to drink.
Freezing is optional. You can freeze cooled tea in an ice cube tray and use the cubes in an iced version.
What to Serve With Turmeric Tea
A cup of turmeric tea pairs nicely with a little something sweet. Try these Lemon Poppy Seed Scones for a citrus pairing, or serve it with Pumpkin Scones when you’re in the mood for fall flavors.
If you’re sharing a pot with a friend, my Tea for Two ideas can help you turn a simple tea break into a special afternoon.
More Tea Guides and Recipes
If you enjoy exploring different tea flavors, The Tea Book by Linda Gaylard includes brewing guidance, tasting notes, and recipes for tea and herbal infusions. It’s an option to explore when you’re ready to try something beyond your usual cup.
Butterfly Pea Latte, Hot or Iced
Beginner’s Guide to Herbal Tea
FAQs about Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea has an earthy, slightly bitter flavor. Ginger adds spice, lemon adds tartness, and honey softens the flavor with sweetness.
This recipe contains no caffeinated ingredients. If you buy a packaged turmeric tea blend, check whether it also contains black or green tea.
No. Black pepper is optional in this recipe. Use a small pinch for a peppery flavor or leave it out.
Ground turmeric does not dissolve completely in water. Some settling is normal; stir the tea before sipping.
Turmeric tea is usually made with water. Golden milk uses milk or a plant-based milk for a creamier drink.
Turmeric Tea Recipe
Turmeric Tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups water Adjust water if using larger cups
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric Adjust turmeric slightly by 1/2 teaspoon if using more water
- Small pinch black pepper optional
- Honey to taste, optional
- Lemon juice to taste, optional
Instructions
- Combine the water, turmeric, and optional black pepper in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing about 5 minutes for heating.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from the heat and divide among four small cups.
- Let cool slightly. Add honey or lemon to taste, stir, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Until next time, keep life sweet—one cup at a time.
