I have been making these lemon ginger turmeric shots on repeat since discovering how much cheaper and fresher they are to make at home. A single turmeric wellness shot at a juice bar runs anywhere from three to five dollars. This recipe makes six shots for around the same price total. The math is hard to argue with.
I started keeping a batch of these ginger turmeric wellness shots in my fridge every week during cold and flu season, and it quickly became one of those habits I look forward to. There is something about the combination of fresh ginger, turmeric, and citrus that wakes you up from the inside-out. Sharp, spicy, a little sweet from the coconut water and manuka honey. It sounds intense but it is actually really good. Even people who are skeptical about wellness shots tend to be surprised by how much they enjoy these.
The best part is you do not need a juicer. A regular blender and a fine mesh strainer is all it takes. I blend mine up in about 10 minutes on Sunday and have them ready to grab from the fridge all week. On the mornings I want something more warming, I will pair one of these shots with a mug of my immune boosting tea for a full immunity boost. And if you already love chia seed water as a morning habit, these shots fit right alongside it.
Why You'll Love These Turmeric Shots
- No juicer needed. Just a blender and a strainer. Done in 10 minutes.
- Way cheaper than store-bought. Six shots for the cost of one or two at a juice bar.
- Actually tastes good. Spicy, citrusy, a little sweet. Truly a treat!
- Batch prep friendly. Make a week's worth on Sunday and grab one every morning.
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free. Swap manuka honey for maple syrup to keep it fully plant-based.
What is in These Shots and Why it Matters
Fresh Ginger Root Ginger has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a warming, anti-inflammatory ingredient. It contains active compounds called gingerols that have well-studied immune-supporting properties and are particularly good for soothing the digestive system.
Fresh Turmeric Root Turmeric contains curcumin, one of the most researched natural anti-inflammatory compounds. It absorbs significantly better when paired with black pepper; a pinch added to your shots makes a real difference and you will not taste it.
Lemon A natural source of vitamin C, which supports immune cell function. Fresh lemon always beats bottled here for both flavour and potency.
Orange Adds natural sweetness and another dose of vitamin C. It also balances out the sharpness of the ginger and turmeric so the shots are genuinely pleasant to drink.
Manuka Honey Naturally antimicrobial and deeply soothing. If you do not have manuka, regular raw honey works well. Maple syrup is the vegan swap.
Coconut Water Adds a subtle sweetness and natural electrolytes that plain water does not. It also makes the shots easier to blend without diluting the flavour.
The properties listed above reflect traditional herbal medicine use and commonly cited nutritional research. These shots are a nourishing addition to a balanced diet, not a medical treatment. Individual results vary.
Ingredients
Makes 6 shots
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger root, roughly chopped (no need to peel if organic)
- 2 inch piece fresh turmeric root, roughly chopped (substitute: 1 teaspoon ground turmeric)
- 2 oranges, juiced (substitute: ½ cup natural orange juice)
- 2 lemons, juiced (substitute: ¼ cup fresh lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon manuka honey (substitute: raw honey or maple syrup)
- ½ cup coconut water (substitute: plain water — you will lose a little sweetness)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional but recommended — increases turmeric absorption significantly)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high for 60 seconds until smooth.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag into a jug, pressing to extract all the liquid.
- Pour into shot glasses or small 2oz jars and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for later.
Equipment
- Blender
- Juicer or Sev
- Shot Glasses
- Cutting Board
- Cutting Knife
What to Pair These With
Matcha Smoothie — a great energizing follow-up if you want something more substantial after your shot
Immune Boosting Tea — take a shot first then follow with a full mug of this tea for a complete morning immune boosting routine
Chia Seed Water — a lighter hydrating drink to have alongside or after your shot
Honey Lemon Ginger Tea — the warm, slower version of the same flavour profile for cold days
Top Tips For Success
Use fresh ginger and turmeric if you can. Ground versions work in a pinch but fresh roots give you a much bolder flavour and more potent shot. Find them in the produce section or any Asian grocery store.
Add a pinch of black pepper. It increases turmeric absorption significantly and you absolutely cannot taste it in the finished shot.
Do not skip the straining step. Pressing the pulp through the sieve properly is what gives you a smooth, clean shot rather than a grainy, fibrous one. Take your time with it.
Sweeten to taste. If the shots feel too intense, add a little more honey or orange juice. Every batch of ginger is slightly different in heat level so small adjustments are completely normal.
Make them on Sunday. Six shots lasts most of the week. Having them ready in the fridge means you will actually drink them consistently rather than making them one at a time.
📖 Recipe
How To Make Homemade Lemon Ginger Turmeric Shots
Equipment
- Blender
- Juicer or Sev
- Shot Glasses
- Cutting Board
- Cutting Knife
Ingredients
- 3 oranges
- 2 lemons
- 2 inches fresh ginger root
- 1 inch fresh turmeric root optional
- 1 tablespoon manuka honey
- 1 cup coconut water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high for 60 seconds until smooth.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag into a jug, pressing to extract all the liquid.
- Pour into shot glasses or small 2oz jars and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for later.
Notes
How To Store
- Fridge: Store in sealed 2oz glass jars or a small airtight bottle for up to 5 days. Shake or stir before drinking as the mixture settles.
- Freezer: Pour into a silicone ice cube tray, freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They keep for up to 3 months. Drop a cube into hot water for a warming instant shot, or blend into a smoothie straight from frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a juicer to make these? No. A high-speed blender and a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag works perfectly and is all I have ever used. Blend everything on high for 60 seconds then strain well. The shots come out just as good as any juicer version.
How often should I drink these shots? One shot per day is the most common approach, usually in the morning. Because the ginger is quite potent, starting with one daily and seeing how your body responds is a good idea.
Why add black pepper to a turmeric shot? Black pepper contains piperine, a compound that exponentially increases how much curcumin your body actually absorbs from the turmeric. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine has always combines the two. At a pinch you cannot taste it, so there is no reason to skip it.
Can I make these without coconut water? Yes, plain water works fine. You will lose a small amount of the natural sweetness and the subtle coconut flavour, but the shots still taste great. You can also use pineapple juice for a different tropical variation.
How much cheaper are these than store-bought? Store-bought wellness shots like Suja or Daily Harvest run around three to five dollars each. This recipe makes six shots for around four to five dollars total, which works out to less than one dollar per shot.
Wilma
Delicious alterations:
Makes 13 2oz shots
6 lemons
1 14oz bottle coconut water
1 & 1/2” fresh peeled ginger root
1 & 1/2” fresh peeled tumeric
1 TBL honey
5 TBL apple cider vinegar
A few pinches fresh ground pepper