A Cozy Red Date Tea for Beauty and Wellness
Jujubes, also known as red dates, are small wrinkled ruby-colored fruits that have been treasured in many Asian cultures for centuries for both their comforting flavor and nourishing properties. Simmered slowly into tea, they transform into one of the most soothing and restorative drinks imaginable — naturally sweet, earthy, caramel-like and deeply warming from the inside out.
This traditional jujube ginger tea is caffeine-free, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and is often enjoyed for its hydrating, restorative qualities and radiant skin benefits. Many people also drink jujube tea to support circulation, relaxation and overall wellness. Whether or not you are familiar with red dates, this cozy tea ritual is one worth discovering.
One of my favorite things about making this tea is the aroma that fills the house while it simmers. As the dates slowly boil, your kitchen begins to smell remarkably like sweet caramel popcorn with warm notes of spice and honey. It feels grounding, nourishing and almost nostalgic.
Another beautiful thing about this recipe is how forgiving it is. You can simmer the tea for as little as 2 hours or as long as 8 hours depending on how concentrated and rich you want the flavor to become. Personally, I prefer simmering mine for around 4 hours — long enough to fully extract the flavor of the dates and ginger while still being realistic for an afternoon at home.
Jujube tea also welcomes countless additions. Fresh ginger adds warmth and brightness, cinnamon sticks lend subtle spice, and chrysanthemum flowers or goji berries make lovely traditional additions as well. For this version, I added sliced fresh ginger, a cinnamon stick and a handful of goji berries, which softened beautifully and turned the most vibrant glowing orange after simmering.
Most of these ingredients can be found at your local Asian market, and once you try this tea, you may find yourself making it all winter long.
Jujube Ginger Tea
This cozy jujube ginger tea is naturally sweet, deeply warming and filled with nourishing ingredients traditionally enjoyed for wellness and radiant skin. Simmered slowly with red dates, fresh ginger, cinnamon and goji berries, this caffeine-free tea develops a rich caramel-like flavor and the most comforting aroma. Perfect for slow mornings, cold evenings or anytime you want something soothing and restorative.
Jujube Tea
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients
Combine all ingredients in a pot or dutch oven, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the temperature and leave to simmer for at least 1 hour - though I like to boil mine for about four. Enough time to extract the nutrients, but short enough to enjoy it sooner. The longer you simmer, the more nutrients and flavor are extracted from the dates. Don't simmer for longer than 8 hours.
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Remove from the heat
It will smell super sweet and you will be left with this lovely orange colored tea.
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Strain the tea
Through a fine mesh sieve, strain the contents into another pot. Use the back of a wooden spoon to push every bit of liquid through the sieve and into the pot. The dates should be soft and burst open easily.
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Enjoy!
Pour into your favorite mug, and enjoy this comforting healthy drink!
Note
This recipe is very forgiving.
- Simmer anywhere from 2–8 hours depending on your schedule and preferred strength. I personally love simmering mine for about 4 hours. Jujubes (red dates) naturally sweeten the tea, so additional sweetener is usually unnecessary. However, a drizzle of honey can be lovely if you prefer a sweeter cup.
- Fresh ginger adds warmth and brightness, while cinnamon creates a cozy spiced flavor. Feel free to adjust both to your personal taste. Goji berries soften beautifully while simmering and add subtle sweetness along with their gorgeous golden-orange color. If your jujubes are very dry or firm, lightly rinse them before simmering. Some people also like to slice or gently crush the dates to help release more flavor into the tea.
- This tea stores beautifully in the refrigerator for several days and can be enjoyed hot or cold. You can gently reheat the tea throughout the week for an easy nourishing ritual in the mornings or evenings. Optional additions like chrysanthemum flowers, pear, licorice root or dried longan can add even more depth and traditional flavor. Don’t throw away the softened dates after simmering — they are delicious to snack on and naturally jammy and sweet.
