Every year I revisit this recipe, from Dr. Aviva Jill Romm’s book, Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives. The recipe is listed as Garlic Lemonade, but I call it Honey Lemon Garlic Tea. Sounds sweeter (trying to just sneak in the “garlic” in there, so it doesn’t turn off my vampire husband and garlic-squeamish kid).

My daughter has been spending a lot of time outdoors. Recess everyday consists of sled rides down the snowy slope. Last night I heard the beginning of a cough. It sounds dry right now, but I want to nip this cough in the bud. If the cough gets any worse I will have to give her minced half a clove of garlic in honey syrup. Blech! She knows the Honey Lemon Garlic Tea is a more palatable option.

All three ingredients: honey, lemon and garlic are known to boost the immune system and are particularly awesome at taking care of the respiratory system. Here’s the recipe:

Garlic Lemonade

3 medium-sized garlic cloves, chopped
(blogger’s note: instead of chopping, I pounded the garlic in a mortar and pestle)
Juice of 1 lemon
Raw honey to taste.

Place the garlic in a 1-quart jar and fill the jar with boiling water. Let the garlic steep for 20 minutes and then strain it out. Add the lemon juice and sweeten with raw honey.

Give 1/2 to 2 cups daily, the lower dose to prevent illness and for younger children and the greater quantity for older kids who feel like they are coming down with a cold.

Don’t give the lemonade every day; just use it as needed.

It’s fine to serve it cold in the summertime. But since it’s winter I heat it up to just when it steams (not boiling) and serve warm.

Previously posted on Garlic Lemonade and Lemon Garlic Tea.