Many of you are wanting to find a healthy alternative to soft drinks and energy drinks. The multiple mixed sources of caffeine used in many of the popular energy drinks combined with the excessive amount of sugar added just simply isn’t good for any of us. However we still need an alternative and preferably a healthy one! I’ve been asked by a countless number of patients what they see me drinking all the time and I will post the recipe below.
I found out about this drink a few years ago while attending a lecture put on by one of the premiere doctor’s who travels around the world lecturing on nutrition. It has a great flavor and I don’t find a need to sweeten. If you choose to add sweetening I suggest you choose the natural sweetener Stevia and you can pick it up and your local health food store.
This tea is very healthy with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and great for any time consuming.
Ginger-Green Tea Recipe
1. Boil water (see step 9 for amount of water. It will vary depending on how much tea is made). I have found it best to use a 2-3 gallon stainless steel pot.
2. Peel the skin off of fresh ginger root or wash very well.
3. Slice the ginger into shavings about the thickness of a quarter. Running it through a food processor also works, but slicing is preferred. While you are prepping the ginger, your water should be heating up.
4. Place the sliced ginger into the pot of boiling water. Let the ginger lightly boil for about 5-10 minutes.
5. TURN OFF the heat. Use a pot with a glass top so you can watch the action in the pot. Always keep the pot top on during the heating, boiling, and steeping process.
6. About 30 minutes after the heat is turned off, add 6-12 organic green tea bags. I prefer this brand but you can choose any you like. If you would like to try just a single cup of the brand I like and live locally, Wired Coffee Company in Hendersonville sells this brand of green tea. Let them sit in the pot for several minutes (no specific time).
7. After several minutes, take out the green tea bags. Let tea steep for 6-12 hours.
8. Pour the tea through a strainer into large glass containers and place in the fridge.
9. You can discard the ginger or use it for cooking. I typically use between 1/2 to 1 pound of ginger root per gallon of water. I drink the tea cold, but others like to warm it up. Either way is fine.
