Ginger turmeric shots are small, concentrated drinks of fresh ginger, turmeric and citrus, usually about 2 ounces each. They are bright, tangy and spicy, and easy to make at home without a juicer. Below is our main ginger turmeric shot recipe made in a blender, plus a classic ginger lemon shot, a quick turmeric shot made with ground spices, and a mango version made with Nano Turmeric. Shopping for ready-made shots instead? See how to choose turmeric shots.
Tips before you start
- Pick firm, fresh roots. Look for ginger and turmeric that feel heavy and firm with smooth skin, not soft, wrinkled or moldy.
- Wash well. The FDA advises washing produce under running water and scrubbing firm produce with a clean brush; it does not recommend soap or produce washes (FDA).
- Protect against stains. Turmeric stains easily. Wear gloves, use a glass or plastic cutting board and rinse the blender right away. See how to remove turmeric stains.
- Adjust the heat. More ginger makes the shot spicier. Start with the recipe, taste, then add more ginger, citrus or honey to suit you.
Ginger Turmeric Shots (Blender Method)
Bright, spicy and tangy, made with fresh ginger, turmeric, lemon and orange. No juicer needed: just blend and strain. Prep 15 min | Makes about 8 shots (2 oz / 60 ml each).
Ingredients:
- 4 oz (115 g) fresh ginger root, about a 6-inch piece
- 2 oz (55 g) fresh turmeric root, about 4 inches, or 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh lemon juice, from about 4 lemons
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) fresh orange juice, from about 1 orange
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Wash the roots. Rinse the ginger and turmeric under running water and scrub them with a clean brush. Wear gloves if you have them, because turmeric stains hands and cutting boards.
- Chop. Fresh young roots do not need peeling. Cut them into 1/2-inch pieces so they blend easily.
- Blend. Add the ginger, turmeric, lemon juice, orange juice and water to a blender and blend on high for about 1 minute, until smooth.
- Strain. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve or nut milk bag set over a bowl, pressing on the pulp to get out as much juice as you can.
- Season. Stir in the black pepper and the honey or maple syrup, if using. Taste and add more citrus or sweetener as you like.
- Bottle and chill. Pour into small glass bottles or a jar, seal and refrigerate. Shake well before each shot, because the spices settle.
Classic Ginger Lemon Shots
The simple, fiery classic: just ginger, lemon and a touch of honey. Add a pinch of cayenne if you like extra heat. Prep 10 min | Makes about 6 shots (2 oz / 60 ml each).
Ingredients:
- 4 oz (115 g) fresh ginger root
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh lemon juice, from about 4 lemons
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Prep the ginger. Wash and scrub the ginger, then cut it into small pieces.
- Blend and strain. Blend the ginger with the lemon juice and water until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve or nut milk bag, pressing on the pulp.
- Finish. Stir in the honey and cayenne, if using, then bottle and refrigerate.
Quick Ground-Spice Turmeric Shot
No fresh roots or blender? Shake up a single turmeric shot in a jar with pantry spices in about 3 minutes. Prep 3 min | Makes 1 shot.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water or orange juice
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger, or 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- A small pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- Shake. Add everything to a small jar, close the lid and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Drink. Drink right away, or stir again first, because ground spices sink quickly.
Mango Turmeric Ginger Shot with Nano Turmeric
A smoother, fruity shot made with our mango-flavored turmeric drink mix, fresh ginger and lime. Prep 3 min | Makes 1 large shot.
Ingredients:
- 1 sachet Nano Turmeric (5 g)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) cold water
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- Shake. Add everything to a small jar and shake until the drink mix dissolves.
- Drink. Drink right away, or pour over a couple of ice cubes.
Nano Turmeric is our mango-flavored turmeric curcumin drink mix, and one sachet (5 g) is one serving (Product Facts). Based on tests by an independent laboratory, its bioavailability can be up to 35X that of pure turmeric extract. It makes a smoother, less fiery shot than fresh roots, and you can also stir it into our mango smoothie.
What is in a ginger turmeric shot?
Ginger gives the shot its heat. NCCIH notes that ginger has been studied for several types of nausea and vomiting (NCCIH), although research on ginger shots themselves is limited. Read more in ginger benefits.
Turmeric adds earthy flavor and golden color. Its best-known compound, curcumin, makes up only a small part of the spice: pure turmeric powder averaged 3.14% curcumin by weight in one lab analysis (Tayyem et al., 2006). If you make the batch recipe with 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric (about 6 g, according to USDA), that is roughly 190 mg of curcumin in the whole batch, or about 24 mg per shot, before some is left behind in the pulp. So a homemade shot is best thought of as a flavorful drink rather than a concentrated dose.
Black pepper contains piperine. NCCIH notes that combining curcumin with piperine is one way to improve curcumin bioavailability (NCCIH), and the best-known study used 20 mg of piperine with 2 g of curcumin (Shoba et al., 1998). A pinch of pepper in a shot provides far less than that. Learn more in turmeric and black pepper.
Lemon and orange add tang, a little natural sweetness and vitamin C, and make the ginger easier to drink.
How to store ginger turmeric shots
- Refrigerator: keep shots in sealed glass bottles or a jar and drink them within 3 to 4 days for the freshest flavor. Shake before pouring.
- Freezer: freeze the batch in an ice cube tray, then move the cubes to a freezer bag. Thaw a cube or two overnight in the refrigerator, or drop one into hot water for a quick ginger tea.
Variations
- Pineapple ginger turmeric shot: swap the orange juice for 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple chunks before blending.
- Apple ginger shot: add 1 chopped apple for a sweeter, milder shot.
- Carrot orange shot: add 1 chopped carrot and the juice of a second orange.
- Spicy shot: add a pinch of cayenne pepper to any of the recipes.
- Warm version: mix a shot into a mug of hot water with honey, or try our turmeric ginger honey drink.
Safety notes
Ginger and turmeric are common foods, but they can still cause side effects for some people. NCCIH lists abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea and mouth and throat irritation for ginger (NCCIH), and nausea, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation for oral turmeric (NCCIH). If a shot bothers your stomach, dilute it or have it with food. If you take any medication, NCCIH advises talking with your healthcare provider before using ginger (NCCIH).
Homemade shots are fresh, unpasteurized juice. The FDA notes that bacteria from produce can end up in fresh-squeezed juice, and that children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness from untreated juice (FDA). Wash your produce well, use clean equipment and keep shots refrigerated.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need a juicer to make ginger turmeric shots?
No. A blender and a fine-mesh sieve or nut milk bag work well. If you have a juicer, run the ginger and turmeric through it, then stir in the citrus juice, pepper and sweetener.
Do I have to peel ginger and turmeric?
Not usually. The skin on fresh young roots is thin, so scrubbing them well under running water is enough. Peel older roots with tough or dry skin with the edge of a spoon.
Can I use ground turmeric instead of fresh?
Yes. Use about 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric in place of the fresh turmeric in the batch recipe, or 1/4 teaspoon for a single shot. Ground spices settle, so shake well before drinking.
Why add black pepper?
Black pepper contains piperine. NCCIH notes that combining curcumin with piperine is one way to improve curcumin bioavailability, and a frequently cited study gave 20 mg of piperine with 2 g of curcumin. A pinch in a shot is much less than that.
How long do homemade ginger shots last?
Keep them sealed in the refrigerator and drink them within 3 to 4 days for the freshest flavor. For longer storage, freeze them in an ice cube tray and thaw cubes overnight in the refrigerator.
When should I drink a ginger turmeric shot?
Whenever you enjoy it. Many people like one in the morning. If ginger or citrus bothers your stomach, have it with food or dilute it with water.
Can I drink a ginger shot every day?
Many people enjoy one small shot a day. Ginger and turmeric can cause side effects such as heartburn, stomach upset or diarrhea, so cut back if you notice them, and check with your healthcare provider if you take medication.
Will turmeric stain?
Yes. Turmeric can stain hands, counters, cutting boards and blender jars. Wear gloves, rinse equipment right away, and see our tips on how to remove turmeric stains.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Check with a qualified healthcare professional before using turmeric, ginger or supplements if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
Learn more: read what turmeric tastes like and how to use fresh turmeric root, or try our golden hour turmeric latte and mango sunshine lassi.
