Honey Hi's Hot Persimmon Tonic
This recipe comes from our friends at Honey Hi — an Echo Park restaurant in Los Angeles that's long been putting our Persimmon Vinegar to creative use. Their hot persimmon tonic combines farmers market fuyu persimmons, fresh jujubes, and ginger with raw wildflower honey and Figure Ate Persimmon Vinegar, simmered until frothy. It's warming, nutrient-dense, and exactly what fall calls for.
We scaled it to a quart-size pot so you can make a batch, keep it on the stove, and enjoy with friends & family.
What Is a Hot Tonic — and Why Drink It?
A tonic is a functional drink made from ingredients that support the body — think vinegar, ginger, honey, and botanicals. Hot tonic drinks in particular have been used across cultures for centuries as a daily wellness ritual. Starting your morning with warm liquids supports digestion and circulation, and the ingredients in this recipe layer anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits on top.
This is a ginger tonic at its core. Ginger is the base; persimmon vinegar adds a fruit-forward acidity; and the jujubes bring subtle sweetness and vitamin C. Simmered together, it's something you’ll want every morning once the weather turns.
Honey Hi's Hot Persimmon Tonic — A Fall Ginger Tonic Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 medium fuyu persimmons, sliced
- 8–10 fresh jujubes
- 1½-inch knob fresh ginger, sliced
- 2 tablespoons raw wildflower honey, adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons Figure Ate Persimmon Vinegar, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Add water, persimmons, jujubes, and ginger to a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a low simmer over medium heat.
- Add honey and persimmon vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Simmer 15–20 minutes, until the liquid takes on color and begins to froth.
- Taste and adjust honey or vinegar as needed.
- Ladle into mugs and serve warm. Keep the pot on low heat to pour throughout the morning.
Make it your own: Add a cinnamon stick for extra warmth, a clove or two for depth, or swap honey for maple syrup. The core — persimmon, ginger, vinegar — holds up to a lot of variation.
Why This Works
Persimmons, jujubes, and ginger are all high in vitamin C, providing a meaningful boost heading into cold and flu season. Ginger is anti-inflammatory. Raw honey is antimicrobial. And Persimmon Vinegar brings antioxidant properties that support a healthy heart, liver, skin, and gut.
Caffeine-free, naturally sweetened, and easy to batch, it's the perfect way to enjoy a beverage with a base of hot water in the morning.
