Winter is coming on fast here in the Southern Hemisphere, and with that comes coughs, colds, and all the other maladies that seem to strike with the cold weather. After our recent trip to Hong Kong where I rediscovered an old favourite, ginger tea, I came home determined to find an easy way to be able to have it on a daily basis, and this recipe for Hot Ginger Tea Syrup is what I came up with.
Ginger is a wonderful herb for winter; not only is it deliciously warming, but it has an amazing complement of health benefits, including being a potent antibacterial agent and a strong anti inflammatory, both wonderful things for treating and preventing coughs and colds. Combining the ginger with honey helps it last longer, and also adds the incredible properties of honey as well. I highly recommend using local raw honey if possible, but if you can't get any, then any good honey will do. I make my Hot Ginger Tea Syrup in the Thermomix, but you could easily make it on the stove top, with just a bit more time involved. This recipe makes a big batch, but you could halve or quarter it if you don't see yourself drinking it every day!

Hot Ginger Tea Syrup

300g fresh ginger, peeled

500g raw local honey

400g filtered water

1. Chop ginger in Thermomix 5 sec/speed 5. Scrape down sides of bowl.
2. Add honey and water and cook 10 min/100C/speed 1.
3. Allow to cool, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a sterilised jar. Store in fridge.

To serve, I pour about 1cm into the bottom of a cup, then top with boiling water and a slice of lemon. It is also great with the juice of 1/2 - 1 lemon added (especially if you can feel something coming on or are already sick), or as an iced "tea" made up with chilled sparkling water.

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