Ginger Detox Latte

Anyone else trying to cut back on booze in 2021? One of my strategies to drink less this year is to replace cocktails with either refreshing mocktails before dinner or comforting herbal tea drinks after dinner. I’ve started making this ginger tea latte as a post-meal digestif of sorts.

You can make it a couple different ways: Steep a strong brew of herbal tea and fresh ginger and top with hot milk, or steep the tea and ginger directly in the hot milk for a creamier drink. Either way you end up with a relaxing beverage with a hint of spicy fresh ginger.

Feel free to use your favorite herbal tea for this method, but I recommend an organic tea with thoughtful and healthful ingredients to get the full benefit of the “detox” part of this latte.

I’ve been using The Wellness Tea for my detox latte. It’s an immune-boosting organic herbal blend featuring adaptogenic ashwagandha, calming chamomile, and anti-inflammatory turmeric. I find this tea tastes best steeped for a long-ish time, at least 10 minutes, to get the maximum flavor out of the subtle herbs. I’ve been adding fresh ginger to the steep for a slightly spicy kick as well as the added digestive benefits ginger brings to the drink.

I’ve also been experimenting with different dairy-free milks in my tea lattes. Oat milk and coconut milk seem to froth the best for a latte. Cashew milk and almond milk are both tasty in the drink but don’t have as creamy a mouthfeel as oat or coconut. (Can you see how thin my drink is in the photo below using cashew milk?)

Here’s to a healthy and safe 2021!

Happy cooking & sipping!

P.S. Many thanks to The Wellness Tea company for sending me a sample of their deliciously healthful teas to experiment with in my Tea Foodie kitchen.

By Suzanne Klein, Tea Foodie

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

8 ounces dairy-free milk (see below for option with less milk)

2 tea bags organic herbal tea blend (I used The Wellness Tea)

3 or 4 coins cut from a 1-inch piece fresh ginger

1-inch piece of orange peel, optional

1 teaspoon honey, optional

Cinnamon for dusting, optional

Preparation

All milk option: Combine 8 ounces of milk with tea bags and ginger in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for at least 10 minutes. Add orange peel and honey then bring back to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a tea mug. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Tea and milk option: In a  small saucepan, bring 4 ounces of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags and ginger. Cover and let steep for at least 10 minutes. Add orange peel, honey, 4 ounces of milk then bring back to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a tea mug. Sprinkle with cinnamon.