This refreshing ginger vinegar iced tea is the perfect summer drink. Made with fruity apple cider vinegar, grated ginger, and black tea, it’s both energizing and cleansing.
Ginger vinegar iced tea is something I started drinking in Tokyo. In Japan, fruity vinegars such as plum vinegar, apple cider vinegar, yuzu vinegar, and strawberry vinegar, are often used in drinks and dishes because of their invigorating properties.
They also taste great! Tangy and fruity, they are particularly refreshing when the temperatures go above 80 degrees. This is an easy vinegar iced tea recipe that is fun to tweak – choose your own favorite tea and vinegar, add some grated ginger, and voilร – the most refreshing drink you’ll have this summer!
Table of contents
Ginger Vinegar Iced Tea Ingredients
- Tea: I suggest using a black tea such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Ceylon, or Oolong. The smoky and floral notes of black teas pair beautifully with the combination of fruity vinegar and spicy ginger. If you prefer something caffeine-free, try barley tea (mugicha), black bean tea, or soba tea (buckwheat).
- Vinegar: I am using apple cider vinegar for this recipe but feel free to use other types of fruit vinegars.
- Ginger: A teaspoon of grated ginger will give the drink a little zing. If you love ginger and the spiciness that comes with it, add an additional teaspoon or two.
Ingredient Alternatives
I like using black teas when making vinegar iced tea but it doesn’t mean you can’t use different types of green teas or herbal teas to make this drink. Have fun with this recipe and experiment. I have previously made it with hojicha and it was delicious!
Add honey from some sweetness. This iced tea is very tangy and might be too intense for some palates. In that case, adding a little honey – start with a teaspoon – can really help in making the drink less aggressive.
Add sparkling water for an even more refreshing taste. Adding a splash of sparkling water, with its fizzy bubbles, makes this iced tea extra thirst quenching.
How To Make Ginger Vinegar Iced Tea
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Start by brewing some tea. Leave the tea bag in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes, until you are happy with the strength.
- Next, grate some ginger. 1 teaspoon to infuse a little heat, just enough to hit the back of the throat.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and add the tea. Grab a spoon or a chopstick and stir until the tea has chilled.
- Add the ginger and vinegar. Give it a stir and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Don’t over steep tea. Anything past 5 minutes can release too much tannins which can result in a tea that’s bitter and astringent. I recommend tasting the tea after 2 minutes and continue tasting it after each minute that passes.
Use fresh tea bags. Fresh tea bags are more potent and have a lovely aroma. Since teas are generally considered to be delicate, using fresh tea leaves or tea bags mean you get the highest quality. On the other hand, old tea bags can be quite bland. The longer they sit and the more they lose flavor and aroma and may also taste musty. Stick with tea bags that are no more than 6 months to a year old. They should also be kept away from the sun and stored in a dry and cool place.
How To Serve Ginger Vinegar Iced Tea
Ginger vinegar iced tea can be served cold or hot. It’s great in the summer as a refreshing and cleansing drink, and also great in the winter to help with congestion and headaches. My favorite way to enjoy a glass of ginger vinegar tea is with plenty of ice cubes and together with something sweet or fruity.
Some of my favorite snacks are:
- Matcha mochi cookies
- Castella cake
- Mitarashi dango
- Hawaiian butter mochi
- Vegan banana bread
- Honey cornflake cookies
More tea recipes you might like to try: Iced matcha latte, Thai iced tea, boba tea, taro milk tea, cold brew tea, lemongrass iced tea, royal milk tea.
Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
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Ginger Vinegar Iced Tea
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: Steeping
- Cuisine: N/a
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
This is a refreshing ginger vinegar iced tea is the perfect summer quenching drink. Made with fruity apple cider vinegar, grated ginger, and black tea, it’s both energizing and cleansing.
Ingredients
- 250ml water
- 1 black tea bag such as earl gray or ceylon
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or other fruit vinegars
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Boil some water. Pour the water in a cup and add the tea bag.ย
- Let it steep. Steep the tea bag for 3 to 5 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger it will be.
- Chill the tea. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the hot tea in it. Leave about 1/3 of the glass empty to allow space for the ice cubes to melt.
- Add the flavoring. Stir in the vinegar and grated ginger.
- Serve. Keep stirring until the drink is very chilled and enjoy!ย
Notes
Recommended caffeine-free teas: Chamomile, barley, lemon, hibiscus, and dandelion root.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 8mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1.2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
