Instant Pot Dynamite Cold Tonic
This head-clearing, sniffle-blasting cold tonic is the color of Tang, with flavor like a stick of ginger dynamite. If you need to jolt a cold out of your body with brute force, consider starting here.
If you need to jolt a cold out of your body with brute force, you might consider starting here. This head-clearing, sniffle-blasting cold tonic is the color of Tang, with flavor like a stick of ginger dynamite. It's a nuclear version of the Honey-Turmeric Tonic in the Coco Morante Essential Instant Pot Cookbook - hydrating, aromatic, invigorating, decongesting, immune boosting, and not for the faint of heart. I made it for Wayne who was fighting a bit of a head cold last week, and sipped on it myself just because it made me feel like I was treating my insides to a spa day.
For reference, this is the Instant Pot I used for this recipe: Instant Pot DUO Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1
Also, if you have an Instant Pot, be sure to poke around this new section with all the instant pot recipes in one place. Or, if you're new to your Instant Pot, start with these 40 Essential Instant Pot Links - recipes, guides, articles - all in one spot.
There's one other broth I love when under the weather, or feel something coming on. It's this Immunity Soup - a monster white pepper broth with jolts of ginger, and stabs of garlic. It defines invigorating, and you can drink it straight, or enjoy it as part of a noodle bowl.
Other favorite turmeric-rich recipes to try! This Instant Pot Congee with Brown Rice and Turmeric, my favorite Pad Thai, Turmeric Popcorn, Turmeric Cashews (so good!), Pickled Turmeric Eggs, this Lemongrass Turmeric Curry Paste, and these Turmeric Soaked Chickpeas. There's also a whole directory of recipes using turmeric.
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Instant Pot Dynamite Cold Tonic
- 6 cups water
- 3 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon dried turmeric
- 3 dried arbol chiles
- 3- inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled, sliced 1/4-inch thick, and smashed
-
Combine all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, and set the pressure release to SEALING. Select MANUAL, and pressure cook on HIGH for 5 minutes. Allow to NATURAL RELEASE for up to 25 minutes (or QUICK RELEASE after 15 minutes, for slightly weaker tonic). Strain, and transfer to glass jars. Serve warm, sweetened with a bit more honey or maple syrup if needed ;). It's best hot.
For reference, this is the Instant Pot I used for this recipe: Instant Pot DUO Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1
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Comments
This tonic is great, warming and so easy to make. I’m on my second batch…double this one. Thank you!
Thanks Alyssa!
The -only- good thing about feeling run down was looking forward to making this. I love it and it was last year’s winter go-to for me. Thanks so much for this Heidi!
Love hearing that Lindsay!
People who are subbing fresh turmeric: how much are you using and how are you preparing it?
Also, has anyone tried freezing this for future use? Thanks!
I freeze big batches. 🙂
How long does this last once it’s prepared?!
I try to drink or freeze it within 5 days…
This is so delicious, I can’t stop drinking it! My mugs are all turning yellow. I am excited to try it with fresh turmeric this weekend, the sediment from the dried/ground is not my favorite. My chilis must not have been very spicy, so I will definitely add more next batch. THANK YOU!!!
Picked up a head cold from my husband so this recipe caught my eye. I am still an Instant Pot neophyte but this was easy to follow. My tonic did not turn out as orange as the photos but it still packed a punch. I actually felt symptom relief after drinking it. I added some fresh lemon peel to the brew and a squeeze of lemon juice at the end.
Thank you Heidi!
This is so yummy! I particularly liked it with a squeeze of lemon added. 2 small dried pepperoncini worked well as a substitute chilli. I left the tea in the IP on “Keep Warm” and dipped into it all day.
Yes to the keep warm feature on cold days! 🙂
eager to try this, but will need to track down the chiles… I’m considering omitting them since I have a low tolerance for spicy (is it very?), would this still be just as effective without them? or would subbing another powdered pepper (cayenne, red chili flakes) work so I don’t have to buy another seasoning that I’ll probably rarely use?
You can certainly experiment with any chile you like! 🙂
Although I don’t have a cold, I’ve been drinking this every day since New Year’s Eve. I love the taste, the spicy warmness, and I’m positive that it’s protecting me from all the January crud out there!
Adding black pepper will help the absorption of turmeric.
Love this but I used fresh tumerick ..I did not have the chilis but still tasted amazing..so I went to the store and bought the chili’s so going to give that a try! I came down with a cold last night so will let you know if it kicks it out of my system! Hope the chilis are not too hot as I have a sore throat. I have an event on Sunday in LA so trying to get better as it’s outside at night! Love my instant pots I have a small one and a 6 quart my next is the 8 quart. The small one was perfect for this!! I’ll post if I get better!!
I was thinking of subbing in some cayenne powder or red pepper flakes instead of using chiles (I have everything but the chiles!), could you recommend an amount?
Wow! I made this in my electric pressure cooker (can’t get an instant pot in Australia). It was just what I needed to kick my cold. I used coconut syrup instead of honey and it turned out great.
Thank you x
Thank you for the response! I’ll experiment when I’m done with this batch. I’m drinking some right now. It’s really lovely.
I made this today and it tastes lovely. (To me anyway, the verdict is still out from the 10 year old!) I’m hopeful that it will help knock out the cold that my little germ incubator has brought home from school. I do have a question–is 1 tsp correct? Maybe my turmeric was not as strong as it should’ve been or perhaps I’m just a freak for turmeric but it felt like it could go higher. Also, what do you think about using fresh turmeric? I saw some at the store and couldn’t resist since they look like little worms. 😉 Thanks for sharing this!
HS: Stay well Collette! Yes, I would start with 1 teaspoon, and build from there to your liking. Some people end up with really tannic turmeric, so if I’m more aggressive with the amount in my recipes, it can backfire. There’s a real range. i’ve don’t batches with 1 1/2 teaspoons and you can definitely tell!
Perfect timing!
I modified it slightly. I made it more concentrated, only using 1/2 the water. When I’m ready to drink it, I mix it with the same amount of boiling water and a splash of lemon. Plus, I tossed in about 10 peppercorns, a few whole cloves, and doubled the turmeric. It definitely packs a kick!
HS: Brave! 🙂
I made the dynamite Cold Tonic and found it very good. How much do you take each day as it did not say. How long can you keep it in the fridge if you make a double batch.
Thank you.
HS: I just sip on small glasses of it. It’ll keep for a few days.
How long will this remain good for assuming it is stored with a tight seal?
Is dried turmeric the same as turmeric powder?
HS: Hi Smita, yes, same thing.
Lovely! How long would you simmer this on the stovetop, for those of us with colds and flu but without an Instant Pot?
HS: Just until it tastes strong enough to you :)!
I don’t eat honey, have you tried it made with either agave or maple syrup? Looks amazing!
HS: Hi Mary, yes, go for it!
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