Published: by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and ShareASale associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recipe Video Print
Feeling under the weather this cold and flu season? Soothing tomato tea can help soothe that sore throat and clear out your sinuses.
Jump to:
- Ingredients and substitutions
- How to make tomato tea
- Helpful tips
- Storage directions
- Frequently asked questions
- More recipes for when you are sick
- 📖 Recipe
Sickness has swept through my house over the past few weeks, and when it was my turn to be sick, I turned to my old friend: tomato tea.
I've been making tomato tea for over 20 years, and it's become a go-to when I'm dealing with a nasty cold or flu. Over the years, my recipe has evolved as I made it again and again, using what was in my pantry and what seemed appealing.
Here, you'll find the recipe that I usually make alongwith substitutionsto help you use what you have. Because the last thing you want to do when you're sick is run to the store.
Tomato tea is not a cure for the cold or for the flu, meaning that it most likely won't shorten the duration of your illness. What it definitely does is help give you temporary symptom relief for a sore throat and stuffy nose.
It's also a good way to sneak in a snackwhen sickness has sapped your appetite.
Ingredients and substitutions
Here's a quick breakdown of why the tomato tea helps you feel better while you drink it and for a while afterwards:
- ginger - There is evidence that ginger is a goodpain reliever. Adding a dash of fresh or ground ginger to your mug can help soothe a sore throat and may even offer some relief to sore muscles.
- spice - The ginger, garlic, and hot sauce make this drink pretty spicy, and that's no accident. Spicy foods and drinks help with sinus congestion, and they havea numbing effect that's nice on a sore throat.
- warmth - Just like spice, a warm drink helps ease congestion. Don't just sip this tea - breathe the steam deeply. It's so soothing!
- nutrition - The reason this drink is made with tomato juice is because when you're sick, chances are you're not inclined to eat. The tomato juice deliverssome calories and vitamins to help you feel a little bit less weak. A cup of tomato tea has around 65 calories, 84% of your vitamin C, 31% of your vitamin A, 11% of your iron, 23% of your potassium, and 4% of your fiber needs for the day. Not bad for a little mug of goodness!
How to make tomato tea
Warm the tomato juice on the stove or in the microwave. It's even OK if it's a little bit too hot. That nice steam is good for soothing your poor nose and throat!
Add the rest of the ingredients to your mug, and stir.
Sip, and enjoy!
Helpful tips
- You can make this on the stovetop, if you're feeling up to it. For quicker results, use the microwave.
- If you do feel a cold coming on, you can mix up a big batch of tomato tea, so you can shake, pour, and heat it as needed. It will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Storage directions
You can store tomato tea in the refrigerator for up to a week. Feel free to make a big batch, so you can warm it up as needed!
Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of tomato juice?
Any savory vegetable juice, like V8, will work in place of the tomato juice, if needed.
Can I sweeten tomato tea?
Sure! Add a little agave or maple syrup to sweeten it, if you prefer.
What can I use instead of sriracha sauce?
Any hot sauce that you like will work! You can even use crushed red pepper flakes or black pepper. Use what you have on hand.
What are the benefits of tomato tea?
I've been drinking tomato tea for years to soothe cold and flu symptoms. It's an easy way to get something into your belly while providing temporary relief for a sore throat and congestion.
The combination of ginger and garlic in this warming drink team up to reduce inflammation and help clear your sinuses!
More recipes for when you are sick
- Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
- Ginger chocolate maca latte (maca hot chocolate!)
- 20-Minute Creamy Miso Ramen
📖 Recipe
Tomato Tea
by Becky Striepe
Feeling under the weather this cold and flu season? Soothing tomato tea can help soothe that sore throat and clear out your sinuses.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 12 ounces tomato juice or vegetable juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice Or 2 teaspoons of vinegar. I've used rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and even balsamic to make this in the past.
- sriracha sauce to taste, or use hot sauce of your choice, or a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper or black pepper
- 1 pinch of ground ginger or ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic minced or crushed, or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Warm the tomato juice on the stove or in the microwave. It's even OK if it's a little bit too hot. That nice steam is good for soothing your poor nose and throat!
Add the rest of the ingredients to your mug, and stir.
Sip, and enjoy!
Video
📝 Notes
As you can see, this recipe is very flexible. The idea is to get an acidic, somewhat spicy mix happening, so use what's in your pantry to make that happen. I'm sure that some of you are not fans of the microwave, but if you have one, I hope you'll make an exception in this case. Give yourself a break, because (as Daniel Tiger loves to remind us), "When you're sick, rest is best."
You can store tomato tea in the refrigerator for up to a week. Feel free to make a big batch, so you can warm it up as needed!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Tomato Tea
Amount per Serving
Calories
66
% Daily Value*
Fat
0.2
g
%
Saturated Fat
0.04
g
%
Monounsaturated Fat
0.03
g
Sodium
35
mg
1
%
Potassium
807
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
16
g
5
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
13
g
14
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
1532
IU
31
%
Vitamin C
69
mg
84
%
Calcium
40
mg
4
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keywords tomato tea
Tried this recipe?Tag @glueandglitter on Instagram and Threads!
About Becky Striepe
Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.
Learn more about me >>>
Reader Interactions
Comments
Muliki Joseph Enock
Is this solution safe for babies less than a year old, alternatively at what age can this solution be given to a baby
Reply
Becky Striepe
Hi! I'd talk to your pediatrician about that. Kids are all so different, and I'd hate to give you the wrong info!
Reply
Emma Scott
Completely unable to breathe or sleep I have tried this tea but so far I have not seen any difference. How long does it take to work in your experience?
Reply
Becky Striepe
For me, the steam and spice usually help right away. You might try more hot sauce, to see if that gets things moving. I am so sorry that you are this miserable! I hope that you feel better soon.
Reply
Hailey Damron
My grandma found tomatoe Tea recipe years ago she has been canning it and giving out to everyone for early Christmas presents... I'm feeling so sick and I don't live in my home town so I'm ab to make some
My grandma makes it like this!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Oh I am so glad that you were able to find comfort in this recipe! Get well soon, Hailey.
Reply
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
I've never heard of tomato tea, but wow is your version packed with antioxidants! I hope everyone in your house is all well!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Thank you! We are feeling a lot better over here. Poor Darrol had two colds in a row, but Dave and I managed to dodge the second one.
Reply
The vegan 8
I watched your video and loved it! I can totally see how soothing this would be, just like a hot bowl of tomato soup! Totally going to try this!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Brandie!
Reply
Linda @ Veganosity
I can totally see how this works, and it sounds delicious, like sipping on tomato soup. I love the addition of ginger as it's also an anti-inflammatory, which would also help reduce the symptoms of congestion. Thanks for this!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Linda!
Reply
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
I've never heard of tomato tea but what an awesome collection of ingredients to help you get through a cold. The hot sauce sold me!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Hot sauce forever!
Reply
Cadry
I don't feel sick at all, but I'm going to make a mug of this anyway! In the winter, I get bored of the usual drinks, and I want something warm and satisfying. For a while, I drank a lot of broth teas. This is a similar idea and would be homemade. Thanks for the great idea, Becky!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Ooh broth tea sounds really pleasant, too!
Reply
Ginny McMeans
How very nice! I already feel better. This is going in my medicine cabinet.
Reply
Becky Striepe
I'm sorry that you're under the weather, Ginny, but glad the tea helped!
Reply
Mel | avirtualvegan.com
Why did I not see this before I got sick? I only saw it when I was nearly better. It looks awesome and so comforting. Bookmarking for next time....hopefully I won't need it for a long time!
Reply
Becky Striepe
I'm so sorry that you were sick! Here's to a healthy new year!
Reply
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
I thought this was so interesting when I saw it on Instagram! Hopefully my husband and I don't get sick but if so, I'm totally trying this!
Reply
Becky Striepe
I hope you don't get sick, too!!
Reply
Jenn
I have never heard of tomato tea before. I love sipping on tomato soup though, so I'm guessing I would love this too. Last year at this exact time I was super ill, so I know what you're going through. Luckily, this year, we were all sick in October, so the holidays were smooth sailing. I'm reaching for this spicy tomato tea next time though!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Jenn! May you and your family never need to make tomato tea!
Reply
Sarah
I'm totally intrigued by this—I used to like V8 juice when I was a kid—go figure! I hope you guys start feeling better soon. I hate the way germs linger and make their way through every member of the family before making a very long overdue exit.
Reply
Becky Striepe
I liked it too! I remember when the spicy one came out. It was so exciting! Dave and I are feeling better, but Darrol seems to have caught something else in the week since he got over the last thing. Ugh!
Reply
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Not that I want to get sick, but I'm intrigued to try your tomato tea!
Reply
Becky Striepe
It's pretty yummy when you're not sick, too!
Reply
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
Dennis and I are both trying to get over colds, so I'm going to need to try this!
Reply
Becky Striepe
Oh noooo! I hope you feel better soon.
Reply
