Clove Water Recipe: The Simple Spiced Drink I Make Every Morning

I started making clove water a few months ago after a friend mentioned it as part of her morning routine, and honestly, it’s stuck. It’s one of those drinks that feels almost too simple to be worth writing about — just whole cloves and water — but the flavor is warm, a little spicy, and surprisingly comforting once you get used to it.

If you’ve seen this drink trending and wondered what the fuss is about, this guide covers everything: what it actually is, how to make it two different ways, how much to drink, and a few safety notes worth keeping in mind.

What Is Clove Water, Exactly?

Clove water is water that’s been infused with whole cloves — that’s really the whole concept. Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, and they carry a strong, warm, slightly sweet flavor along with a compound called eugenol, which gives them their signature aroma.

When cloves sit in hot water, they release their flavor quickly. When they soak in room-temperature water for longer, the infusion comes out milder and smoother. Either way, you end up with a lightly spiced drink that many people use as a caffeine-free alternative to coffee or tea — similar in spirit to a ranch water recipe, just warmer and spice-forward instead of citrusy.

Clove Water vs. Clove Tea vs. Spiced Herbal Drinks

What You’ll Need

This is about as low-effort as recipes get — just two ingredients, both of which you probably already have.

• Whole cloves — these work much better than ground cloves, which tend to cloud the water and are harder to strain out.
• Water — filtered water gives the cleanest flavor, but tap water works fine too.

How Much to Use

Start on the lower end — clove flavor gets intense fast, and it’s easier to add more next time than to fix an overly strong batch.

Optional Add-Ins

Once you’ve tried it plain, a few simple additions can change the character of the drink:

• A few slices of fresh lemon for brightness
• A small piece of fresh ginger, similar to what goes into our ginger bug recipe with honey
• A teaspoon of honey
• A cinnamon stick for an evening version

Method 1: Boiled Clove Water

This is the version I make most mornings, especially in colder months. Boiling pulls the flavor out fast and gives you a stronger, warmer drink.

Steps:

1. Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan.
2. Add 3 to 5 whole cloves.
3. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
4. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
6. Strain out the cloves before drinking.

The longer it simmers, the bolder and more concentrated the flavor — if it tastes too strong, just stir in a little extra hot water to mellow it out.

Method 2: Infused (Cold) Clove Water

This version takes more time but almost no effort, which makes it great for batch-prepping the night before.

Steps:

1. Fill a glass or jar with 1 cup of room-temperature water.
2. Add 3 to 5 whole cloves.
3. Cover and let it sit at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight in the fridge for a stronger result.
4. Strain the cloves before drinking.

Boiled vs. Infused at a Glance

Both versions are good — it really comes down to whether you want it warm and strong right now, or mild and ready to grab later.

How to Drink It

Most people I’ve seen recommend one of these times:

• Morning, on an empty stomach — the most common way to start the day with it
• Midday, as a caffeine-free break instead of coffee or tea
• Evening, often with a cinnamon stick added for a calmer, cozier version

As for how much: stick to about 1 cup a day if you’re just starting out, and no more than 2 cups once you know how your body responds. Like most concentrated spice infusions, more isn’t automatically better.

Possible Benefits

Worth saying upfront: clove water isn’t a medical treatment, and if you’re dealing with a specific health concern, that’s a conversation for your doctor — not a drink recipe. That said, cloves have a long history in traditional kitchens for a few reasons:

• Eugenol, the main aromatic compound in cloves, has antibacterial properties and contributes to their distinct smell
• Cloves contain antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress
• Whole cloves contain some fiber, though much of it stays behind when you strain the water
• The strong aroma is sometimes used as a natural breath freshener

Think of clove water as flavored hydration with some traditional roots — a nice addition to a routine, not a substitute for anything.

Flavor Variations

If you enjoy easy spice-and-citrus combinations like this, you might also like our apple cider vinegar gummies — a different format, but the same general idea of a simple wellness habit.

A Few Safety Notes

• Use whole cloves, not clove oil — clove oil is far more concentrated and isn’t meant to be consumed the same way.
• Keep it to 1–2 cups a day. More than that can cause digestive discomfort for some people.
• If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking blood thinners, check with your doctor before adding this to your routine.
• If anything feels off — stomach upset, irritation — stop and reassess.

Storage

Clove water is best made fresh and used within 24 hours, kept in the fridge. It’s quick enough to make that batching more than a day or two ahead usually isn’t worth it.

The Bottom Line

Clove water is about as simple as homemade drinks get — two ingredients, two methods, and a flavor that’s easy to adjust to your taste. Whether you go with the boiled version for something warm in the morning or the infused version for a milder, grab-and-go drink, it’s an easy thing to try without any special equipment or ingredients.

If you’re into easy, low-effort drinks like this one, our Japanese jello weight loss recipe follows a similar “simple ingredients, simple steps” approach and might be worth a look too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clove Water Recipe: The Simple Spiced Drink I Make Every Morning

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• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

A simple, warming clove-infused drink made with whole cloves and water. This easy recipe can be prepared either by boiling or overnight infusion for a comforting, caffeine-free beverage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup water
• 3 to 5 whole cloves
• Fresh lemon slices (optional)
• Small piece fresh ginger (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan.
2. Add 3 to 5 whole cloves.
3. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
6. Strain out the cloves.
7. Add optional lemon, ginger, honey, or cinnamon if desired.
8. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

For a milder flavor, soak the cloves in water for 6 to 8 hours or overnight instead of boiling. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 24 hours. Do not use clove oil as a substitute.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Drink
• Method: Boiled
• Cuisine: International

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 2
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 2mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: clove water, clove drink, infused water, herbal drink, caffeine-free drink, clove tea alternative