Manuka Honey and Lemon with Ginger Tea: Benefits & How to Make It

January 20, 2026

For many of us, a simple honey, lemon and ginger tea is the classic home remedy we reach for when we want something soothing and supportive. 

When you replace regular honey with Mānuka honey in a classic lemon and ginger tea, you’re upgrading a time‑honoured home remedy with a honey that offers a richer taste and extra natural support. 

How to Make Manuka Honey and Lemon with Ginger Tea

This recipe is quick, flexible, and easy to weave into your daily routine.

Ingredients (1 mug)

• 1–2 tsp Mānuka honey (choose an MGO rating that suits your needs; MGO 350+, MGO 550+, or MGO 830+)

• 1–2 slices fresh ginger, or ½ tsp grated ginger

• Juice of ½ fresh lemon

• ~250 ml hot water (just off the boil)

Method

1. Boil the water, then let it cool for 2–3 minutes. Very hot water can damage some of the delicate properties of raw Manuka honey.
   

2. Add the sliced or grated ginger to your mug and pour in the hot water. Steep for 3–5 minutes.
   

3. Add the fresh lemon juice and stir.
   

4. When the tea has cooled slightly to a comfortable drinking temperature, stir in the Mānuka honey.
   

5. Taste and adjust:

• More lemon for extra tang

• More honey for added sweetness and richness

• More ginger for a stronger, spicier kick

Feel free to experiment until you find the balance that feels just right for you.

When Should You Drink It?

You can enjoy this Mānuka honey, lemon and ginger tea whenever you’d like a warm, supportive drink, for example:

• First thing in the morning, to hydrate and gently wake up your system

• In the evening, during cold and flu season, as a soothing, comforting drink

• Before speaking, singing, or presenting, to help your throat feel more at ease

• After a heavy meal to support comfortable digestion

Listen to your body, sip slowly, and let it become a moment of pause in your day.

What Is Manuka Honey and What Makes It Different From Regular Honey?

Mānuka honey is a rare, unique honey made by bees foraging on the nectar of the Mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand. What sets it apart from everyday table honey is its concentrated mix of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, including:

• Methylglyoxal (MGO) – the key compound linked with Mānuka honey’s well-known antibacterial activity

• Leptosperin and other phenolic compounds – plant-derived molecules that contribute to antioxidant activity and help give Mānuka its distinctive profile

• Flavonoids – naturally occurring plant compounds that work alongside phenolics and other components to support the honey’s overall antioxidant and wellness properties.

Genuine Mānuka honeys use an MGO (mg/kg) rating on the label. This tells you how many milligrams of naturally occurring methylglyoxal are present in each kilogram of honey. 

MGO is the primary compound linked with Mānuka honey’s non-peroxide antimicrobial activity, so, in general, the higher the MGO number, the higher the level of antimicrobial activity.

• MGO 350+ – An excellent choice for everyday wellness: daily spoonfuls, adding to tea, or drizzling over yoghurt and toast.

• MGO 550+ – Ideal when you’d like a bit more intensive support, during cold and flu season or when you’re focusing on digestive comfort.

• MGO 830+ – Often chosen for short periods when people want an extra boost from the most concentrated Mānuka honey in their routine.

Always pick the strength that feels right for your goals, taste preferences, and budget, and remember that consistency matters more than using the very highest number.

Benefits of Manuka Honey and Lemon with Ginger Tea

Manuka honey, lemon and ginger are all popular ingredients on their own, famous for their calming and nutritional benefits. Together, they work synergistically to support the immune system, while providing much-needed calming benefits for sore throats and irritated digestive systems as well.

1. Supports everyday immunity

• Mānuka honey provides naturally occurring bioactives that are being studied for antimicrobial activity.

• Lemon is a source of vitamin C, which contributes to normal immune function.

• Ginger brings a warming lift and may help you feel more open and comfortable during seasonal changes.

Together, they make a soothing drink many people turn to throughout cold and flu season, or whenever they feel they need a little extra support.

2. Soothes a dry or irritated throat

Warm liquids often feel comforting on a sore or irritated throat. The smooth, velvety texture of Mānuka honey can add an extra soothing layer, especially in cold, dry, or heavily air‑conditioned environments.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the research, you can explore this evidence-based review of Mānuka honey for coughs and colds

3. Supports comfortable digestion

Ginger has a long history of use for easing feelings of nausea, bloating, and general digestive discomfort. Mānuka honey may also play a role in everyday digestive comfort when enjoyed as part of a balanced routine. Warm water with lemon can help you feel lighter after a heavy meal, making this tea a gentle, reassuring option after eating.

If you’d like to learn more about how Mānuka honey can support gut comfort, you can explore this overview of its digestive health benefits.

4. Boosts your calming daily ritual

Beyond the science, Mānuka honey and lemon ginger tea can gently elevate a morning or evening routine you already enjoy. Adding a few minutes to boil the kettle, slice some lemon, and ginger, and sit with a warm mug in your hands can turn an ordinary pause into a quiet pocket of calm, helping you hydrate, unwind, and reset at the start or end of your day.

Tips for Choosing Manuka Honey

To get the most from your upgraded honey, lemon, and ginger tea:

• Look for genuine Mānuka honey with a clear MGO (mg/kg) rating on the label (e.g., MGO 350+, MGO 550+, MGO 830+).
  

• Choose a reputable brand like Bees & Trees that uses independent lab testing and publishes batch results, so you can see exactly what’s in your jar.
  

• Store your honey in a cool, dark place with the lid tightly closed.

For extra depth on choosing strengths and when to use them, see this Mānuka honey usage & strength guide.

Final Thoughts

Mānuka honey and lemon with ginger tea takes a much‑loved traditional drink and gently elevates it. By replacing regular honey with Mānuka honey, you bring in a richer flavour and the unique natural compounds that have made Mānuka famous around the world.

Enjoyed alongside good sleep, a balanced diet, and regular movement, this simple tea can become an easy, enjoyable part of your everyday self‑care routine.