Raspberry Ginger Iced Tea

Y’all, it’s hot over here in Texas. August hot. Don’t-wanna-go-outside kind of hot. Since we exercise in a non-air conditioned gym (!!), staying hydrated is a full-time job. And let me tell you, I’m so much better at it when I have a pitcher of refreshing Raspberry Ginger Iced Tea in the fridge!

My usual go-to summer drink is natural-flavored sparkling water (lime La Croix, yum). But now that we’re partway through our first Texas summer, I’ve found that I may *cough* have a tendency to steamroll through an entire case in just one week. Oops. I went on a hunt to find a new summer drink to add to my rotation. Something that is:

Hydrating: decaffeinated + non-alcoholic
Unsweetened or lightly naturally sweetened
Scrumptious (obviously)
Simple and cost-effective to prepare
Tummy-friendly

A few trial runs later, here we are: Raspberry Ginger Iced Tea. Raspberry, ginger, lime, and honey. Oh my. It’s as easy as it is refreshing. Zesty citrus and ginger notes are balanced by the natural sweetness of the raspberry tea- a flavor combination that will keep you coming back for more! Staying hydrated is a cinch with this summer drink around.

Best of all? It’s made with fresh ginger, a digestive health superfood.

Ginger and Gut Health

Ginger is a natural digestive stimulant that was used in ancient Chinese, Ayurvedic, and other antiquitous medicines for thousands of years. It’s known to help alleviate nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort such as bloating or gassiness. Most of us have reached for ginger ale or ginger candies at one (unpleasant) time or another, thanks to morning sickness, motion sickness, or a stomach bug.

And it doesn’t stop there. Ginger is also thought to have an even wider range of health benefits, including:

• Strong antioxidant (cancer prevention) activity
• Anti-inflammatory effect
• Lowers blood lipids
• Lowers fasting blood sugar in those with diabetes

There is lots of recent research on ginger and its preventative potential. For everything from heart disease and diabetes to neurological disorders. More studies are still needed before it’s recommended as a first-line treatment for these conditions, but still, how cool is that? I love it when a natural food is smarter than man-made medicines.

How to Use Ginger

How do I get in my daily dose of ginger, you ask? Drink ginger iced tea, of course! You can also use fresh or dried ginger in your cooking, it really complements Asian-style dishes like curry and stir-fry. Or try adding it to your grilled chicken marinade along with some fresh garlic. Yum.

You can find ginger in the produce section of most grocery stores. It’s not expensive to buy – one large root usually costs about $1.00, depending on where you shop. Conveniently, ginger will last for a while in your pantry. It’s a root (like a potato or beet), so is best stored at room temperature until you peel it. If you peel or chop your ginger in advance, it will keep in the fridge for a few days until you use it.

To peel the ginger use a vegetable peeler or the tip of a spoon. Discard the peel, we want to use the beautiful fragrant yellow flesh that’s inside. For this recipe we’ll slice it to steep with the raspberry tea, but to make a spicier tea try grating it for a stronger infusion.

Raspberry Ginger Iced Tea

And now, the recipe! This Raspberry Ginger Iced Tea can be as simple or fancy as you like. If you’re hosting a summer barbeque kind of crowd, make up a large pitcher and garnish with lime slices, mint, and fresh or frozen raspberries to up the WOW factor. Or, make it for yourself with a bendy straw. Either way, it’s a delicious way to stay hydrated while harnessing the superfood powers of fresh ginger.

 

References

• Daily, et al. Efficacy of ginger for treating Type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Ethnic Foods. 2015;2(1):36-43. Access here.
• Haniadka, et al. A review of the gastroprotective effets of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Food Funct. 2013;4(6):845-55. Access here.
• Jafarnejad, et al. Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on blood glucose and lipid concentrations in diabetic and hyperlipidemic subjects: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Funct Foods. 2017;29:127-134. Access here.
• Palatty, et al. Ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting: a review. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2013;53(7):659-69. Access here.
• Srinivasan, K. Ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale): A spice with multiple health benefit potentials. PharmaNutrition. 2017;5(1):18-28. Access here.