What can I mix with cloves to drink? Delicious and healthy combinations

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

Cloves are packed with powerful antioxidants like eugenol, which offers anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. If you're wondering what can I mix with cloves to drink to reap these benefits, you'll be pleased to discover that a variety of flavorful and healthful combinations are available beyond simple water.

Quick Summary

This guide details various delicious and healthy combinations for drinking cloves, including warm infusions with ginger, cinnamon, and lemon, as well as soothing bedtime beverages with milk and honey. It covers preparation methods and potential health benefits.

Key Points

Clove Water: Infuse whole cloves in hot water or soak them overnight for a simple, antioxidant-rich, and detoxifying drink.
Lemon and Clove: Adding lemon juice enhances the flavor and boosts the immune-supporting, digestive, and detoxifying properties of clove water.
Ginger and Clove Tea: Combine cloves with fresh ginger and cinnamon for a warming, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting tea that is great for colds.
Clove and Honey Milk: A comforting evening beverage, this combination can aid sleep, improve bone health, and soothe digestive discomfort.
Safe Consumption: Drink clove-infused beverages in moderation, typically 1-2 cups per day, to avoid potential side effects like liver irritation or blood-thinning effects from excessive eugenol.
Added Spices: For a richer flavor profile and broader benefits, you can mix cloves with other spices like star anise, cardamom, or black pepper.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, prized for their intense aroma and flavor in culinary applications. Beyond their use as a spice, they have been a staple in traditional medicine systems for centuries, celebrated for their medicinal properties. Incorporating cloves into your daily beverages is a simple way to boost your intake of beneficial compounds, particularly eugenol, known for its potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Popular Clove-Infused Drink Combinations

There are many ways to prepare a delicious and healthy drink with cloves, from simple infusions to complex teas. The choice often depends on your desired flavor profile and health goal.

Classic Clove and Lemon Water

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to consume cloves. It is especially popular as a morning detox or immune-boosting drink. You can prepare it by soaking 2-3 whole cloves in water overnight for a mild flavor or by simmering 4-5 whole cloves in boiling water for a stronger infusion, then adding fresh lemon juice to either.

Warming Clove, Ginger, and Cinnamon Tea

This combination creates a potent and warming herbal tea perfect for fighting off colds and congestion. To make it, simmer water with whole cloves, grated fresh ginger, and a cinnamon stick for 10-15 minutes. Strain and add honey if desired.

Soothing Clove and Honey Milk

For a comforting, calming beverage, cloves pair wonderfully with milk and a touch of honey. Gently warm milk (dairy or plant-based) with 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or 2-3 whole cloves, steeping whole cloves for 5 minutes before straining. Stir in honey before serving.

Health Benefits of Clove Combinations

Consuming clove-infused drinks can offer a range of health advantages, primarily stemming from the spice's powerful compounds. Benefits include boosting digestive health by stimulating digestive enzymes, strengthening immunity through antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation with eugenol, aiding weight management by boosting metabolism, and promoting oral health by combating bacteria and relieving toothaches.

Safety and Precautions

While incorporating cloves into drinks offers numerous health benefits, it's crucial to be mindful of moderation and certain considerations. Excessive consumption can lead to adverse effects.


Drink Type	Preparation Method	Primary Benefit	Who Should Exercise Caution
Clove & Lemon Water	Overnight soak or quick hot infusion	Digestive health, detox, immunity	Individuals with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux
Clove & Ginger Tea	Simmer spices in boiling water for 10-15 mins	Cold and cough relief, anti-inflammatory	Those on blood-thinning medications or with bleeding disorders
Clove & Honey Milk	Steep in warm milk, do not boil	Sleep support, bone health, comfort	Individuals with dairy sensitivities or managing blood sugar
Spiced Herbal Infusion	Add cloves to mixed spice blends and simmer	Overall wellness, flavor, aromatic benefits	Individuals with liver conditions or on certain medications

Moderation is key for a daily routine, with 1-2 cups of clove-infused liquid being a safe amount for most people. High doses of eugenol from excessive clove intake can be toxic to the liver and may interfere with blood-thinning medications. Consult a healthcare professional before consuming clove drinks if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or have liver conditions.

Conclusion

From a simple overnight water infusion to a complex and aromatic spiced tea, there are many answers to the question: "what can I mix with cloves to drink?" Pairing cloves with other beneficial ingredients like lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and honey not only enhances the flavor but also provides amplified health benefits. By choosing the right combination and practicing moderation, you can easily incorporate this potent spice into your wellness routine. Whether you seek to boost your immunity, aid digestion, or simply enjoy a comforting warm beverage, cloves offer a versatile and natural solution. You can find more information about the health benefits of cloves on WebMD's detailed overview of the spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking a mild clove water infusion on an empty stomach is generally considered safe and can help boost digestion and metabolism. However, individuals with a sensitive stomach should start with a small amount.

Yes, you can add cloves to cold drinks. Simply soak whole cloves in cold water overnight to create an infused detox water. You can also make a spiced simple syrup with cloves to add to cocktails or iced tea.

For a standard cup of tea or water, using 2-5 whole cloves is typically sufficient. A general guideline is 1-2 teaspoons of whole cloves per 1-2 cups of water, but personal preference and tolerance will dictate the ideal amount.

The best time depends on your goal. Morning is ideal for a metabolism boost, while evenings are best for a soothing, sleep-promoting drink with milk or honey. Clove tea after a heavy meal can also aid digestion.

Yes, you can use ground cloves, but with caution, as the flavor is much more potent. Use a smaller amount (e.g., ¼ teaspoon) and note that it may not strain as cleanly, leaving a residue.

Yes, excessive consumption of cloves, particularly concentrated oil, can lead to side effects. These may include digestive upset, liver irritation, or blood-thinning effects. It is important to use cloves in moderation.

Combining cloves with ginger creates a potent anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting mix. It can help relieve cold and flu symptoms, reduce congestion, and support healthy digestion.