I Started Drinking Clove Water Every Morning — Here’s What Actually Happens

I’ve spent enough time digging through the actual research on this one to have opinions about it. Clove water showed up in my feed the way these things always do — a jar of dark little buds sitting in a glass, someone claiming it fixes digestion, blood sugar, skin, and three other things before breakfast. So I made a batch, drank it for a couple of weeks, and read what the actual studies say instead of what the captions say. Here’s the honest version: how to make it, what’s real, and who should skip it.

Quick Summary

Clove water is made by soaking or simmering whole cloves in water, then straining and drinking it. You can cold-soak 4-6 cloves overnight or boil them for 5-10 minutes for a stronger cup. Research on cloves (mostly in extract or oil form, not this diluted home version) points to antioxidant and mild blood-sugar-supporting effects, but there’s no clinical evidence that drinking clove water specifically causes weight loss or cures anything. It’s generally safe in small amounts, but people on blood thinners or diabetes medication, and pregnant or breastfeeding women, should check with a doctor first.

Clove Water Snapshot

What You Need

• 4-6 whole cloves
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• Optional: a small squeeze of lemon or a bit of honey, once strained

Cold-Soak vs. Hot-Boil: Which Method to Use

Both methods pull the same compounds out of the cloves — mainly eugenol, the aromatic oil that gives cloves their smell and most of their studied effects. The difference is strength and how much of a morning routine you want this to be.

How to Make Clove Water

Cold-Soak Method

1. Drop 4-6 whole cloves into a glass of room-temperature or filtered water.

2. Cover and let it sit in the fridge for 6-8 hours, or overnight.

3. Strain out the cloves and drink first thing in the morning, ideally before eating.

Hot-Boil Method

1. Add 4-6 whole cloves to 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

3. Let it cool slightly, then strain into a glass.

A note on strength: mine is usually done right around the 8-minute mark on the hot method — any longer and the clove flavor turns bitter rather than warm. If you’re new to it, start with 4 cloves and adjust up once you know how you feel about the taste.

Clove-to-Water Ratio Guide

Ground cloves work too, but they’re harder to strain out cleanly and turn the water cloudy and gritty — whole cloves are the better choice for a clean glass.

What the Research Actually Says

This is where most articles on clove water get sloppy, so here’s the plain version. Cloves contain eugenol, a compound that’s been studied for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A small 2019 study found that people taking a concentrated clove extract daily for 30 days saw a modest improvement in blood sugar markers — but that’s a supplement-strength extract, not a home-brewed glass of clove water, and the effect size was small.

Cloves have also been studied for liver-protective effects in animal research, and for antibacterial activity against certain oral bacteria, which is part of why clove has a long history in dental care. None of this means clove water “detoxes” anything, melts fat, or replaces a balanced diet — it doesn’t, and no credible source claims it does. Think of it as a low-calorie, mildly flavored drink with some genuinely interesting compounds in it, not a remedy.

Who Should Be Cautious With Clove Water

Clove in food amounts is considered safe for most healthy adults. But a few groups should talk to a doctor before making this a daily habit:

• People on blood-thinning medication — cloves may slow blood clotting slightly.
• People on diabetes medication — cloves may lower blood sugar, which combined with medication could push levels too low.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women — there isn’t enough research on larger amounts to call it clearly safe.
• Anyone scheduled for surgery — some sources recommend stopping clove intake about two weeks beforehand.

One important distinction: this caution is about whole cloves and clove water, not clove oil. Concentrated clove oil is a different product entirely and is considered unsafe to swallow, especially for children — that’s a separate risk from steeping a few whole cloves in a glass of water.

Storage

Clove water is best made fresh and drunk the same day — the flavor turns more bitter the longer the cloves sit in the water. If you strain it right away, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours in a sealed glass.

Clove Water vs. Clove Tea vs. Clove Oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to drink clove water every day?

For most healthy adults, a small daily glass (1 cup, made with 4-6 cloves) is generally considered safe. If you’re on medication for blood sugar or blood clotting, or you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a doctor first.

Does clove water help with weight loss?

There’s no clinical evidence that clove water causes weight loss on its own. It’s a low-calorie drink, and some of its compounds have been studied for mild blood-sugar effects, but it isn’t a substitute for diet and exercise.

Can I reuse the same cloves for a second batch?

You can, but the second batch will be noticeably weaker since most of the flavor and compounds release the first time. For a consistent glass, use fresh cloves each time.

What does clove water taste like?

Warm, slightly sweet, and peppery — similar to the smell of cloves themselves, just diluted. The hot-boil method has a stronger, more pronounced flavor than the cold-soak version.

Can children drink clove water?

Clove in small food amounts is generally recognized as safe, but there isn’t strong research on regular clove water intake in children specifically. It’s worth checking with a pediatrician before making it a routine for kids.

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Jonas Mitchell

Clove Water

Simple clove-infused water made two ways — cold-soak or hot-boil — for a mild, warming morning drink.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 12 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4-6 whole cloves
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• Optional: a small squeeze of lemon or a bit of honey, once strained

Equipment

• 1 Small saucepan (for hot-boil method)
• 1 Fine mesh strainer
• 1 Glass or jar with lid (for cold-soak method)
• 1 Stove (for hot-boil method)

Method

 

Cold-Soak Method

1. Drop 4-6 whole cloves into a glass of room-temperature or filtered water.
2. Cover and let it sit in the fridge for 6-8 hours, or overnight.
3. Strain out the cloves and drink first thing in the morning, ideally before eating.

Hot-Boil Method

1. Add 4-6 whole cloves to 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
3. Let it cool slightly, then strain into a glass.

Notes

Start with 4 cloves if you’re new to it — the flavor turns bitter past the 8-10 minute mark. For the cold-soak version, skip the stovetop step entirely — just let the cloves sit in water for 6-8 hours (or overnight) instead.

This article is for general informational purposes and reflects a home cook’s research, not medical advice. Clove water is not a treatment for any medical condition and hasn’t been shown to cause weight loss, cure illness, or replace medication. If you’re on blood-thinning or diabetes medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor before adding clove water to your routine. Do not substitute clove oil for whole cloves in this recipe — clove oil is not safe to drink

Jonas Mitchell writes recipes and food guides for RecipeValley. He does not hold a clinical nutrition credential, and this article is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or registered dietitian.