Lawrence.com

Building immunity means eating well, but it also means adding nutrients to what you drink. Try these immunity-boosting drinks to help fight infection or help the body recover from illness.

Kashmir Spicy Tea

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1/2 ounce fresh ground ginger root, peeled and sliced

1 stick cinnamon

4 cloves

4 black peppercorns

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

2 cups cold water

Honey to taste (optional)

Lemon slices (optional)

Put the spices and water in a pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. Sweeten with honey or add a slice of lemon.

Drink a cupful, as hot as possible, 3 to 6 times daily while flu symptoms are acute.

Makes 2 to 3 servings.

Caribbean Cordial

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2-ounce piece of ginger root, bruised

1 lemon, thinly sliced

6 cups water

4 cups light brown sugar

Still or sparkling mineral water, to dilute

Place ginger root and lemon in 6 cups water in a covered saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat, add sugar and stir until dissolved. Strain into a bottle, seal and store.

To drink, dilute in proportions of one-third cordial to two-thirds still or mineral water. This cordial helps clear a cough.

Makes about 2 quarts.

Spiced Lemonade

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5 cups water

1/2 cup sugar

4 cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1 cinnamon stick

Juice of 4 lemons

Put the water into a preserving pan with the sugar and spices. Slowly bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, then stir in the lemon juice. Drink hot with a twist of lemon to soothe a sore throat.

Makes 4 servings.