When your stomach feels off or you just want something warm and soothing, this simple Ginger Tea Mix gets the job done with pantry staples you can keep on hand. Stir a couple tablespoons into hot water and you’ve got a lightly creamy mug with a gentle ginger kick in minutes.
This is the kind of old-fashioned mix recipe that earns its place in the cupboard. Instant tea brings the tea flavor, ginger adds that familiar warmth, and the powdered milk and creamer soften the edges so the drink tastes more comforting than sharp.
Because this is a dry mix, it stores best in an airtight jar or sealed bag in a cool, dry cupboard. For the best quality, use it within about 3 months after mixing, which is a conservative estimate based on the shorter quality window for opened dry mixes and powdered milk storage guidance from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. It’s also versatile enough to tuck into gift baskets, pack for travel, or keep beside the kettle with other favorites like Chai Tea Latte Mix in a Mug and Instant Chai Tea.
Ginger Tea Mix Recipe
You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup plain instant tea
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup instant powdered milk
- 1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
Measure the ingredients into a zip-top bag, seal it well, and shake until the mixture looks evenly blended. If your powdered milk has a few stubborn lumps, press them out before mixing so the finished tea dissolves more smoothly in the mug.
Expert Tip: For the smoothest cup, stir the mix with a small splash of hot water first to make a quick paste, then fill the mug the rest of the way. That little extra step keeps powdered milk from floating around like it owns the place.
To Use:
Stir 2 tablespoons mix into a large mug of hot water until fully dissolved. If you want a stronger ginger flavor, let it sit for a minute before sipping so the dry ingredients have time to hydrate completely.
One batch makes about 2 1/4 cups dry mix, which is enough for approximately 18 servings at 2 tablespoons each. Serve it as-is for a simple soothing drink, or pair it with a light snack when you want something easy on the stomach.
Store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months for best quality. If it hardens, smells stale, or develops any moisture clumps that do not break apart easily, it’s time to replace it. Once prepared with hot water, treat it like any mixed milk-based beverage and drink it right away.
Notes: This mix is fairly sweet and mild. If you prefer a spicier mug, you can increase the ginger slightly in your next batch, but keep the rest of the ratio the same so it still dissolves well.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Ginger Tea Mix
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plain instant tea |
$0.78 |
1/2 C. |
$0.65 |
|
Ground ginger |
$1.24 |
1 t. |
$0.05 |
|
Sugar |
$2.98 |
1/2 C. |
$0.16 |
|
Instant powdered milk |
$9.28 |
1 C. |
$0.87 |
|
Powdered coffee creamer |
$2.78 |
1/4 C. |
$0.10 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$1.83 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.10 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
Frequently Asked Questions about Ginger Tea Mix
You can, but the finished drink will taste thinner and a little sharper. Replace the 1/4 cup creamer with an extra 1/4 cup instant powdered milk if you want to keep the mix creamy without changing how you use it.
Use a plain, unsweetened instant tea if you can find it. A presweetened tea mix throws off the sugar level fast, so your finished mug can go from soothing to syrupy in one enthusiastic scoop.
Keep moisture out and store it tightly sealed. If your kitchen runs humid, shake the jar before each use and use a completely dry spoon, because powdered milk and sugar both pull moisture from the air and start the clump parade.
Yes, nonfat instant dry milk works well here and dissolves easily in hot water. The tea may taste a little lighter than a whole-milk version, but the texture still stays pleasantly creamy.
Start with a small splash of hot water and stir the mix into a paste first, then add the rest of the water. That gives the milk powder and tea crystals a head start so you get fewer dry bits floating on top.
Absolutely. Double every ingredient exactly and mix it in a large bowl or a gallon-size zip-top bag so the ginger distributes evenly instead of settling in one corner.
It works especially well for gift baskets because it’s shelf-stable, compact, and easy to label with simple directions. Pack it in a jar or food-safe bag and include the use note: 2 tablespoons mix per large mug of hot water.
Keep it simple with plain toast, crackers, shortbread, or a lightly sweet cookie. Ginger has a warm, spicy note, so mild snacks make more sense than anything heavily frosted or aggressively chocolate-covered.
You can reduce the sugar in the dry mix, but do it gradually so the tea still tastes balanced. Cutting the sugar by 2 to 4 tablespoons is a safe place to start without changing the texture too much.
Check the smell, texture, and flow. If it smells stale, has yellowed noticeably, or has hard moisture clumps that won’t break up, the flavor and texture have slipped enough that a fresh batch will taste better.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Ginger Tea Mix
Ginger Tea Mix
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain instant tea
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup instant powdered milk
- ¼ cup powdered coffee creamer
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the instant tea, ground ginger, sugar, instant powdered milk, and powdered coffee creamer into a zip-top bag or bowl.
- Seal and shake, or stir well, until the mixture is evenly combined.
- To serve, stir 2 tablespoons of mix into a large mug of hot water until dissolved.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is an estimate based on measuring and mixing the dry ingredients.
For best quality, store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and use within 3 months.
