Honey, Ginger and Lemon: A Kerala Monsoon Drink

When the monsoon hits Idukki properly, it rains for days. Everything is damp, everyone has a sniffle, and the kettle doesn't stop. Honey, ginger and lemon is one of the drinks that keeps going round. It's simple, warming, and it soothes a scratchy throat.

Ingredients (1 large mug)

• 1½ cups water
• A 3 to 4 cm piece of fresh ginger, sliced or crushed
• 2 to 3 black peppercorns, crushed (optional)
• 1 clove or 1 small piece of cinnamon (optional)
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 to 2 teaspoons honey

Method

1. Boil the water with the ginger (and pepper and clove, if using) for 5 to 8 minutes. The longer it boils, the stronger and hotter it gets.
2. Strain into a mug.
3. Let it cool for 2 to 3 minutes, until you can sip it comfortably.
4. Stir in lemon juice and honey.

Adding honey after the drink cools a little keeps its flavour. Boiling honey dulls it.

Make-ahead version

If everyone at home is unwell:

1. Boil a larger batch of ginger water (say 1 litre with a thumb-sized piece of ginger per 2 cups).
2. Strain and keep it in a flask, or in the fridge for a day or two.
3. Reheat a cup at a time and add fresh lemon and honey to each cup.

Why it helps

• Warm liquid soothes the throat and helps with a blocked nose.
• Honey has some evidence behind it for easing cough, particularly in older children and adults.
• Ginger is warming and many people find it settles the stomach.

It's comfort, not a cure. If you have a high fever, breathing trouble, or you're not getting better after a few days, see a doctor.

Important

• Never give honey to babies under 1 year old.
• If you have diabetes, count the honey as sugar.

Use a honey you like the taste of. Our Naadan pure honey comes from beekeepers around Adimali. For another monsoon favourite, read about chukku kappi, Kerala's dry ginger coffee.

Sources

• Cochrane: Honey for acute cough in children