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Anti-Inflammatory Golden Tonic

The momentum behind functional foods and wellness elixirs is at an all-time high. Expensive products are touted as having the power to do everything from restoring gut health to boosting immunity and fighting inflammation, but their health claims are often backed by little solid science. So instead of pricy supplements, we're mixing up a more affordable antidote that's both healthy and homemade. A tonic, by definition, is a combination of ingredients that have the potential to enhance or restore health. While this tonic (or any tonic) is not a cure-all remedy, consuming more anti-inflammatory foods—like the ones found in this tonic—over time may only not only ease current symptoms (such as fatigue, joint pain and chronic bloating), but it may also reduce the risk of future diseases and slow aging. The combination of green tea, herbs, honey, apple-cider vinegar and spices also makes for a tasty and refreshing beverage!

Active Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
Yield
Serves 4

How to Make It

1. Step
Bring filtered water to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tea bags, thyme, ginger, turmeric, honey and vinegar, stirring to dissolve the honey. Reduce heat to low and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a mason jar. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Step
Fill 4 glasses half full of ice. Divide the tonic mixture evenly among the glasses (about 1/2 cup tonic per glass). Top each with 1/2 cup sparkling water. Serve with a lime wedge, if desired.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups filtered water
  • 2 bags green tea
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme, lightly bruised with the side of a knife
  • 1 (2 inch) piece peeled ginger, finely grated
  • 1 (2 inch) piece peeled turmeric, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon honey, preferably manuka
  • 1 tablespoon raw unfiltered cider vinegar
  • Ice cubes
  • 2 cups chilled sparkling water
  • Lime wedges for serving

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