Cloves may be tiny, but anyone who has ever bitten into one unexpectedly knows they certainly aren’t shy about flavor. 😄
These aromatic dried flower buds have been used in cooking for centuries, and one of the simplest ways to enjoy them is clove water.
Warm, spicy, and naturally caffeine-free, clove water can be enjoyed after meals or whenever you want something more interesting than plain water.
It is sometimes promoted online with extraordinary health promises. In reality, clove water isn’t a miracle cure, but cloves do contain interesting natural plant compounds and can certainly be part of a balanced diet.
What Are Cloves?
Cloves are dried flower buds from the clove tree, scientifically known as Syzygium aromaticum.
They’re commonly used in both sweet and savory recipes.
Their distinctive aroma comes largely from eugenol, one of the main naturally occurring compounds in clove.
Cloves are so intensely flavored that you only need a small amount.
That’s good news because a little jar can seemingly survive in the spice cabinet forever.
Simple Clove Water Recipe
This recipe makes approximately two servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
- 4–5 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon honey, optional
- 1 small slice of fresh lemon, optional
- 1 thin slice of fresh ginger, optional
There’s no need to use handfuls of cloves. A mild infusion is more pleasant and appropriate for an everyday beverage.
How to Make Clove Water
Pour the water into a small saucepan.
Add the whole cloves.
Bring the water to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and cover the saucepan.
Let the cloves steep for another 5–10 minutes.
Strain the drink carefully so that all the cloves are removed.
Pour into a mug and enjoy warm.
If you’d like a little sweetness, add one teaspoon of honey after the drink has cooled slightly.
A squeeze of lemon also gives it a brighter flavor.
Overnight Clove Water
You can also prepare a milder cold-infused version.
Place 3–4 whole cloves in about 2 cups of drinking water.
Cover the container and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, strain out the cloves before drinking.
Cold-infused clove water has a lighter flavor than the simmered version, making it a nice option if you find traditional clove tea too strong.
Cloves and Antioxidants
Cloves contain several naturally occurring plant compounds, including eugenol.
These compounds have attracted scientific interest because of their antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants help protect cells against oxidative damage.
However, this doesn’t mean that drinking highly concentrated clove water will prevent or cure disease.
A varied diet containing vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, nuts, legumes, and whole grains provides many different plant compounds.
No single spice needs to do all the work.
Clove Water After Meals
One reason people traditionally enjoy aromatic herbal drinks after eating is simply that they can feel pleasant after a large meal.
Clove’s warming flavor works especially well after rich foods.
You can make the drink even more interesting by adding a thin slice of ginger.
Try:
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 thin slice fresh ginger
- 2 cups water
Simmer for five minutes, steep briefly, strain, and serve.
It’s wonderfully fragrant without needing much sugar.
Cloves and Oral Freshness
There’s a reason cloves have such a long association with oral-care traditions.
Eugenol has a strong aroma, and clove compounds have been studied for several properties relevant to oral health.
However, drinking clove water isn’t a replacement for brushing, flossing, professional dental cleanings, or treatment for tooth decay and gum disease.
If you simply want fresher breath after eating strongly flavored food, an occasional cup of mild clove tea can be pleasant.
Chewing whole cloves isn’t necessary.
Don’t Put Clove Oil Directly in Your Mouth
This distinction is important.
Clove water and clove essential oil are completely different concentrations.
Essential oil is extremely concentrated.
Don’t swallow undiluted clove essential oil or casually add large amounts of it to drinking water.
Pure clove oil can irritate or damage tissues and excessive exposure can be harmful.
For this homemade drink, stick with ordinary whole culinary cloves.
Clove and Cinnamon Tea
Want something warmer and cozier?
Ingredients
- 4 whole cloves
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon honey, optional
Bring the cloves, cinnamon, and water to a gentle boil.
Simmer for five minutes.
Turn off the heat and steep for another five minutes.
Strain thoroughly.
Add honey if desired.
This version is particularly nice on a chilly evening.
Clove, Ginger and Lemon Water
For a brighter version, combine:
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 thin ginger slices
- 2½ cups water
- Juice of ¼ lemon
Simmer the cloves and ginger for about five minutes.
Remove from the heat and steep for another five minutes.
Strain.
Add the lemon juice once the drink has cooled slightly.
Serve warm or refrigerate and enjoy over ice.
How Much Should You Drink?
There is no scientifically established amount of clove water that everyone needs to drink each day.
You don’t need multiple concentrated glasses.
For a healthy adult who tolerates cloves well, an occasional cup made with a few whole cloves is a reasonable culinary approach.
More isn’t automatically better.
This is particularly important with spices containing concentrated bioactive compounds.
Treat clove water as a beverage rather than a supplement or medicine.
Can Clove Water Help You Lose Weight?
Clove water itself isn’t a fat-burning treatment.
No reliable evidence shows that drinking it melts belly fat or produces rapid weight loss.
However, an unsweetened cup contains very little energy.
If it replaces sugary sodas, sweetened coffee drinks, or other high-calorie beverages, that substitution may be useful within an overall balanced eating pattern.
That’s a realistic benefit without promising magic.
Does Clove Water “Detox” the Body?
You don’t need cloves to flush mysterious toxins from your body.
Your liver and kidneys continuously process and eliminate many waste products.
Drinking adequate fluids supports normal body functions, but adding cloves doesn’t suddenly turn water into a powerful detoxification treatment.
Enjoy it because it tastes good.
That’s reason enough.
Who Should Be Careful?
Using small amounts of cloves in normal cooking is generally very different from consuming concentrated preparations.
Extra caution is sensible for people taking blood-thinning or antiplatelet medication, people with bleeding disorders, those preparing for surgery, and people taking medications that may interact with concentrated herbal products.
Pregnant or breastfeeding people and anyone with significant chronic medical conditions should also ask a qualified healthcare professional before regularly consuming concentrated herbal preparations.
For children, avoid giving concentrated clove preparations or clove essential oil.
Honey Safety
Honey tastes wonderful with cloves, but there’s one important rule:
Never give honey to a baby younger than 12 months.
For everyone else, honey is optional.
Cloves and cinnamon provide enough aroma that you may discover you don’t need additional sweetness at all.
How to Store Clove Water
Freshly prepared clove water is best enjoyed the same day.
If you’re making extra, remove all the cloves first.
Transfer the cooled liquid to a clean, covered glass container and refrigerate it.
Try to use it within 24–48 hours for the freshest flavor.
Don’t continuously leave a large container at room temperature.
If the smell, appearance, or taste changes unexpectedly, discard it and make a fresh batch.
Fortunately, preparing another one takes only a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink clove water every morning?
You don’t need to drink it daily to obtain some special effect. An occasional mild cup can simply be part of your beverage rotation.
Should I chew the cloves afterward?
No.
Once they’ve flavored the water, you can discard them.
Can I add cloves to regular tea?
Absolutely.
One or two cloves can add a lovely warming aroma to black or herbal tea.
Can I drink clove water cold?
Yes.
Prepare it normally, strain it, refrigerate it, and serve chilled.
Can I add lemon?
Yes. Lemon pairs very nicely with cloves.
People who experience acid reflux may prefer the drink without lemon.
Is clove water medicine?
No.
Although cloves contain interesting natural compounds, homemade clove water should be considered a beverage rather than a treatment for disease.
Final Thoughts
Clove water proves that homemade drinks don’t need ten exotic ingredients to be interesting.
A few whole cloves and some water produce a wonderfully fragrant drink in about 15 minutes.
Add ginger when you want extra warmth, lemon when you want freshness, or a little honey when you’re craving something sweeter.
Keep the mixture mild, avoid concentrated clove oil, and enjoy it for what it genuinely offers: a simple, aromatic, comforting homemade drink that’s a pleasant alternative to plain water.