Jungle Bay, in Dominica, where we vacationed last week, has one of the best breakfast buffet I have ever seen. In addition to the usual breakfast items like pancakes, eggs, bread, and cereals, they offer freshly squeezed juices from the local fruits that they get delivered daily. Fruits like tangerine, orange, passion fruit, lemon, and coconut.
The best part of it is that they serve them as sweetened and unsweetened. I prefer unsweetened whereas my husband, Dwight, loves sweetened drinks.
Speaking of my husband, he is a big fan of having a non-alcoholic drink as a pick me up or with his meals during the day. Cold teas like Tazo peach and green tea that they sell in Starbucks are his favorite.
However, finding those here on Virgin Gorda is almost impossible. Since he cannot find Tazo Teas, he usually goes for Coca-Cola, which I am not too happy about because it is not healthy.
So I am always on the look out for drink ideas that I can make at home and have it readily available in the fridge for Dwight.
We were served this Ginger Iced Tea recipe in Jungle Bay for lunch on our first day. We both loved it and ordered it several times. On our last day, Joanne, the Food and Beverage Manager, came to say goodbye to us with a bag full of fresh ginger in her hand. She explained to me how they make, our favorite, Ginger Ice Tea.
I was so happy as I was looking forward to trying the Pumpkin Ginger Soup that she showed us how to make, during the Caribbean Cooking class, as well as this ice tea.
When we came home first thing Dwight asked was to make some Ginger Ice Tea. So I did.
How To Make Ginger Iced Tea:
The process of making this iced ginger tea has just a few steps:
- Steep the ginger in boiling water: Pour the boiling water in to a heatproof glass pitcher. Add the ginger and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Squeeze lemons & and limes: In the meantime squeeze the juices of lemons and limes.
- Strain & sweeten: Strain the ginger and water mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Add honey (or sugar) when it is still hot and mix thoroughly. Taste it and add in more honey if you like.
- Let it cool: Place some ice cubes in the pitcher and add the juice of the lemons and limes.
- Add in optional flavoring agents: Stir in fresh mint leaves or a splash of vanilla if you’d like.
- Give it a mix & serve: Mix thoroughly. Serve it with freshly sliced limes and leaves of fresh mint.
Sugar vs Honey:
Instead of using granulated sugar I used honey thinking that it is somewhat healthier. You can use splenda, stevia, agave or natural sugars like coconut or maple sugar.
The refreshing taste of fresh lime and lemon juices mixed with the tangy flavor of shredded fresh ginger is heavenly.
In order to ensure that it will keep its freshness (and flavors) for a couple of days I put slices of lemons and limes in the pitcher. I serve it with lots of ice and more fresh mint leaves.
In the never-ending hot days of the Caribbean, this Ginger Ice Tea is, for sure, a star in our fridge.
If You Liked This Dominican Ginger Tea, You Might Also Like:
- Rosemary Lemonade
- Herbal Iced Tea
- Blueberry Hot Toddy
- Strawberry Basil Limeade
- Turmeric Ginger Tea
- Need more inspiration? Check out all our drink recipes.
Dominican Style Ginger Ice Tea
Ingredients
- 2 3- inch pieces of fresh ginger, peeled and shredded
- 8 cups of boiling filtered water
- 6 juicy lemons, freshly squeezed
- 3 juicy limes, freshly squeezed
- 7 more or less tablespoons of honey or any sweetener of your choice
- Mint leaves, optional
- 10-12 ice cubes
Instructions
- Pour the boiling water in to a heatproof glass pitcher. Add the ginger and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- In the mean time squeeze the juices of lemons and limes.
- Strain the ginger and water mixture through a fine mash strainer. Add honey (or sugar) when it is still hot and mix thoroughly. Taste it. At this point you want it to be sweeter than you would normally like.
- Place some ice cubes in the pitcher and add the juice of the lemons and limes.
- Mix thoroughly and add more honey to sweeten it, if necessary. If it is too sweet you can add more water.
- Serve it with freshly sliced limes and leaves of fresh mint.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hello!
So far, I am enjoying reading your food blog. I have not tried the recipes yet. This is my first time seeing this blog. I found it from looking up a Golden Milk recipe, and va la! Love it! I do plan on trying several different recipes you posted here, when I do I will be happy to give my experience and opinion 😊.
YAY! Happy to hear that Raylene. I look forward to hearing more about your experience.
Cheers,
Aysegul
You know the correct English is “iced” tea not “ice”.
Good to know.
Made this today in 110 degree weather. What a refreshing drink! The zip of the ginger really makes it!
YAY! So glad to hear Morgan.
Gorgeous photos, as always. I love ginger and mint – so energizing flavours! Is that a new blog header by the way? Did you design it? It’s so pretty 🙂
Hi Aimee,
Thank you..
My logo has been up for quite some time. I like it too. I did not design it myself. My friend Cary made it for me.
She is an amazing logo designer, if you need one.
Loving your photos as well..
Cheers!
Hi, Aysegul, Will you put me in touch with your friend, Cary? I have a web design company and need a logo designer from time to time.
Thanks, Pam Wilkinson
Hi Pam,
She is awesome.. Isn’t she? 🙂
I just e-mailed her your information.
She should e-mail you back shortly.
Cheers!
Aysegul
Refreshing ice tea. Love all the flavors.
Hi I too visited Jungle Bay.. So I know exactly what you mean on the fabulous Ginger Drink.. I had several glasses a day! It was truly a amazing revitalizing flavor. Not to mention beautiful place.
I always thought they blended the ginger?? But you describe slices into the water… I didn’t ask details. Is that how they made it? I loved it so much I want to make it right.. 🙂 thank you! :)?
Hi Marlene,
Yes, this is how they make it. Even after we left, I kept in touch with the ladies over there and one of them gave me this recipe.
I also make their pumpkin-ginger soup quite a bit. Especially this time of the year..
Sadly, after last month’s hurricane Erika, Jungle Bay was destroyed. It is incredibly sad how much they lost. We donated to them from a link on their website.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in some way with the recipe.
All the best,
Aysegul
Aysegul,
Thank you for clarifying. Yes our girls loved all their food!! :). Sad about the hurricane we heard. I hope they recover soon! That Island is a beautiful and so alive with so much to offer.. We were impressed .. How untouched it is. What a great place to experience .. Please share the pumpkin recipe !! :)!
(Thank you)! M