Uggggh. It happened. I’m sick. It’s time to feel better fast with the Cold Buster Tonic. For this post, I’ll make plenty of Cold Buster Concentrate: some for now, some for the fridge and a few backups in the freezer. To make my tonic, just add fresh lemon and hot water. A sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top to soothe my throat. Now where are the tissues?
I’ll share the cold busting secret with you, too. Because not only will it help you feel better, and ward off sickness, but it’s also darned delicious. If you, like so many others (but not me!) are having a healthy January, this is a perfect substitute for your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Make the Cold Buster Concentrate by peeling boatloads of ginger. Really, the more the merrier here. You can freeze extra Cold Buster Concentrate or use it to make Homemade Ginger Beer. Notice our very fancy Hipcooks-issued ginger peeling device: the back of a spoon! Yes, indeed, a few quick strokes with the back of a spoon will peel the ginger efficiently, even going over the nobs and in between the crevices.
Place the ginger in a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix)and cover with plenty of water. Whiz on high for several minutes to really break down that ginger.
It’s worth it to strain the (very concentrated!) ginger juice, pressing down and stirring the pulp with your ginger peeling device: your trusty spoon.
Blend again with honey to taste. I like to store my Cold Buster Concentrate in recycled salad dressing bottles or small milk bottles. I store several in the fridge (they’ll keep for several weeks), or pop them in the freezer.
When you’re feeling low and warning off a cold, pour about a quarter to a third of a mug full with Cold Buster Concentrate.
After that, add the rind of an organic lemon
Next, and plenty of lemon juice.
Finally, top with hot water and you’ve got yourself a perfect Cold Buster Toddy. You’ll feel better real soon. Promise.
Ingredients
For the Cold Buster Concentrate:
6 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, peeled with a spoon
at least 2 cups of water
honey to taste, start with about ½ a cupyou'll also need a strainer and a high-speed blender, like a Vitamix or Magic Bullet
For the Ginger lemon tonic:
about ⅓ mugful of Cold Buster Concentrate (see recipe above)
zest of a lemon
juice of a lemon
a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, if desiredInstructions
Make the Cold Buster Concentrate by whizzing the ginger and water in a high-speed blender. Strain, add honey, whiz again and taste. Adjust until the balance tastes good. It should taste very intense since the drink is diluted with plenty of hot water.
To make the tonic, add the concentrate, top with boiling water, and add lemon. A sprinkle of cayenne pepper, though first feeling intense on a sore throat, will actually soothe it in the long run.
2 comments
Hi! Love this tonic. Was just wondering if there’s a reason the lemon zest and juice isn’t just blended in there, too, to save having to do anything except add boiling water when you need the tonic?
Thanks for your comment! I like to add the lemon juice super fresh, so that I can get the most Vitamin C, without it degrading. It will also degrade in heat, so I stir it at the last moment (when the boiling water is cooled by the tonic concentrate.) Cheers! Monika