Having spent the last week at home feeling very poorly – and a little bit sorry for myself – I was unable to get into the kitchen and cook up something delicious to post to my blog. Not being a particularly good patient at the best of times, this only made me more grumpy about being sick.

When I am feeling poorly a nice cup of tea is always welcome. I read somewhere that if tea can’t fix it, it’s a serious problem. The English would certainly concur. But something a little more soothing can be helpful when you’re under the weather – spiced lemon tea. It’s easy and quick to do yourself if you can drag yourself out of bed. Or ask someone to make it for you.

One of my most hated symptoms of a cold is a sore throat. This tea, with the wonderful addition of honey will help to soothe. And keeping hydrated is important when you’re not well.

It also happens to taste fabulous, which means this tea is welcome at any time. It would be wonderful to sip on in the winter months, just to warm you up and soothe those winter blues.

Fortunately summer will very soon be knocking on our door in New Zealand to chase away those horrible winter bugs. Can’t come soon enough for me!

Spiced Lemon Tea

3 cups boiling water from the kettle

Juice of a lemon

3-4 slices of fresh ginger

1 cinnamon stick

4 cloves

2 tablespoons honey

Transfer the boiling water to a pot. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the honey) and bring back to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and stir through the honey. Strain the tea into a jug or small teapot.

Serve it warm with a slice of fresh lemon. You should have enough to fill two good-sized mugs.