This Citrus Health Tonic Will Get You Through The Winter

The following excerpt and recipe for Citrus Health Tonic is from Yewande Komolafe’s cookbook “My Everyday Lagos,” available now on Amazon.

There are many ways to incorporate this tonic into your routine: as an ingredient in a smoothie, an after-meal digestif, or a simple refreshment. I have become obsessed with tonics now that I have more access to greens and other produce from my friend Yemi’s farm. It seems that once we have our native herbs and greens within reach, we start to explore all the ways to center our health and nutrition in ancestral traditions. Whereas the greens Yemi grows are great for blood and cardiovascular health, this tonic shares many common ingredients of other immunity-boosting tonics. It is rich with vitamin C, digestive aids, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Citrus Health Tonic

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 25 minutesTotal time: 30 minutesServings:4 servings

Ingredients

• 3 sliced oranges
• 3 sliced limes
• 1 sliced lemon
• 3-inch piece grated ginger
• 2 stalks lemongrass
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Honey to taste – optional

Instructions

1. Combine the oranges, limes, lemon, ginger, lemongrass, and turmeric into a large saucepan with 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain through a large-mesh strainer or chinois.

2. To serve, pour 4 to 6 ounces into a small glass and stir in honey, if desired.

Reprinted with permission from My Everyday Lagos by Yewande Komolafe copyright © 2023. Photographs by Kelly Marshall. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

• 30 Minutes
• Drinks
• Health
• Vegetarian