ginger tea (toddy)

Well it's officially winter and two of three holidays are behind us (hope yesterday was a merry one!). Hopefully you've all spent time with loved ones - hosting guests, travelling home, surrounded by friends at parties, smothered with love by family. Chances are that all that togetherness - and maybe one too many toasts - has you feeling a bit exhausted, perhaps a tad germy, and in need of a long winter's nap. I don't mean to be a party pooper here, but someone's got to say it: we've got a lot of winter ahead of us. This is the season when I sniffle until about April. 

But fear not - ginger tea is here! It's not all so bleak and grey. My brother Chris turned me onto this concoction years ago, swearing that it would cure just about anything that ailed me. Belly aches, hangovers, sniffles, sore throats, chills...this is the magical brew that will get you through to spring. And if you feel the need to continue the party, why not use this spicy, healing tea as the base for your next hot toddy? Just spike it with a little rum for an extra warming kick.

Ginger is an awesome flavor for winter...spicy and warm and healthy for you. Use a spoon to peel it...just rub the edge of the spoon like a peeler along the root, and the papery thin skin comes off without loosing any flesh. Add honey and lemon, and you have yourself an anti-cold trifecta!

Find a printable recipe here.

Take that, Winter!

-jamie

(all photos, jamie grill photography)