Hot Lemon and Honey

A hot drink on a cold winter day can comfort the body and warm the soul. This is one of our favorites. It's a great alternative to sugary hot cocoa. Remember that this is not a firm recipe; adjust it to your tastes!

3 cups water
3 inch cinnamon stick
up to 4 TB honey
1 whole lemon, washed to remove pesticides and wax (organic preferred)

Bring the water to a simmer in a medium-size saucepan. Remove it from the heat and add honey (begin with 2 TB and increase with your taste preference), and the cinnamon stick. Cut the lemon in half and ream the juice from both halves into the concoction. Drop in the reamed lemon halves, cover, and allow the entire mixture to steep. The heat will release the essential oils from the lemon skins. The longer the beverage steeps, the deeper the cinnamon taste will be. I usually allow it to steep for 10-20 minutes, but longer can be delicious too.

To serve, remove the lemon halves (squeezing out the liquid with the back of a spoon), cinnamon stick, and any stray pips. Taste for honey. Serve hot in cheery mugs.

Note: if you have a cold, replace the cinnamon stick with a one inch piece of ginger root cut into thin slices. It is warming to the throat and helps knock out that cold.