Padma Lakshmi has a habit of making comfort look effortless. The cookbook author and television host, who has spent decades making her own perfume and has also shared her love of arranging flowers at home, recently opened up about one of her simplest rituals: a three-ingredient tangerine-peel tea she calls “a perfect salve for a sore throat.”
Earlier this year, Lakshmi showed actress Awkwafina how to make the drink, starting with citrus peels in a teapot or mug and adding hot water, a pinch of ground cloves and honey. The tea can be made with any citrus peel — mandarins, lemons or oranges all work — and after it steeped for a few minutes, Lakshmi stirred in the honey and told Awkwafina, “Oh my god, that’s so good.”
The recipe fits neatly into the kind of at-home self-care Lakshmi has long presented as part of daily life rather than something elaborate. It also makes use of peels that might otherwise be thrown away, turning a leftover into a warm drink that can be adjusted to what is already in the kitchen. Honey is one of the active ingredients in the tonic, and Lakshmi said, “You can let this sit on the counter all day and just sip it.”
That simplicity is what makes the tea stand out. Lakshmi did not present it as a trend piece or a polished wellness project, but as a practical kitchen remedy she has been willing to share in public. For people looking for a fast way to use citrus peels and make something soothing, the method is already clear: steep the peels, add the cloves, stir in honey and drink it warm, or keep returning to the mug throughout the day.