When it comes to homeopathic remedies and healing/protecting our bodies through what we eat, ginger is an ingredient I often turn to. Below, I show you how to make simple homemade ginger shots. I also share 3 health shot recipes which include ginger. And if you like ginger as much as I do, you might also enjoy it in one-pot turmeric ginger pumpkin soup, pineapple ginger juice, or any of these 40+ ginger recipes!
What Is a Ginger Shot?
Ginger shots are a shot-sized (typically 1-2oz), super-concentrated health elixir made from a combination of fresh, robust, spicy ginger (grated or juiced) and a few other healthful ingredients like honey, lemon, turmeric, and/or cayenne, etc. The combination in these DIY ginger shots is said to provide the body with a beneficial boost of nutrients and health benefits. However, the taste is super robust, and so best drunk shot-style (in one or two gulps). While they’ve become extremely popular in recent years and are now available in grocery stores, health cafes, and even Starbucks (and $3-4+ per shot!!), these homemade ginger immune shots are just as easy to prepare at home. More so, homemade ginger shots ensure maximum freshness and benefits, but with minimal cost and little time and effort. While they are now a popular “cure-all,” let’s look at the actual health benefits of ginger shots and the other ingredients used within them.
Ginger Shot Benefits
Along with its robust and spicy flavor, ginger root is commonly used as a home remedy and boasts an impressive list of potential health benefits (used for centuries!), so what are ginger shots good for? Here are just a few ginger health benefits (primarily due to an active substance called gingerol): You can also learn more about how to choose, prepare, and store fresh ginger root! You may also like more ginger recipes like a ginger salad dressing, honey-fermented ginger, soothing ginger tea, and more!
Lemon and Ginger Shot Benefits
Lemon and ginger immunity shots are perfect for enjoying during cold and flu season (or year-round) to keep illness at bay. These ginger lemon shots contain several beneficial ingredients.
Lemon Juice Benefits
Detoxes & cleanses the digestive system and liver,Balance the body’s pH level,Antibacterial properties,Antiviral,High in vitamin C for immunity boosting and heart health,Improves the absorption of iron when consumed with it
Turmeric and Ginger Shot Benefits
Turmeric ginger shots contain not one but two superfood ingredients packed with immune-boosting, energy-giving, and digestive-boosting properties.
Turmeric Benefits
Turmeric has been used medicinally in Indian culture for thousands of years, and for good reason, as it:
Increases the antioxidant capacity of your body,Reduces congestion,Slows the aging process,Regulates blood pressure and clotting,Prevents the growth of cancerous cells,Improves brain function,Reduces the symptoms of depression,May even reverse the heart disease process,Reduces inflammation.
Just remember to always combine turmeric with freshly cracked black pepper, which is needed to increase the absorption of turmeric’s beneficial nutrient curcumin (up to 400%).
Benefits of Ginger Shots in the Morning
While it’s technically fine to consume a ginger wellness shot any time of the day, my preference is when I wake up (within 30 minutes) before breakfast. Not only does this help the nutrients to absorb quicker (as your stomach is empty so it’ll go straight to your intestines to process), but ginger will also help to charge your metabolism following the overnight “fast,” curb an uneasy stomach, and give you an all-natural energy boost.
Are There Any Downsides?
If you aren’t used to consuming these higher quantities of ginger juice, it can cause mouth or tummy irritation (with more trips to the bathroom), diarrhea, and mild heartburn. For that reason, I recommend slowly introducing them to your diet. Listen to your body to find balance. More so, due to its ability to thin the blood and lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure, it’s best to talk to a medical professional if you have diabetes or low/high blood pressure. Also, if you are taking drugs like anticoagulants, insulin, or beta-blockers. When combined, ginger may cause issues with these medications.
How to Make Ginger Shots
The best ginger shots usually require just a handful of ingredients and are ready in minutes with minimal effort. I love making ginger, lemon, and apple juice shots. Using apple juice is a way to mellow the ginger tang, but you can omit it if wanted. Juicing ginger shots is the easiest method, though a blender works to make these health shots recipes, too. First, always rinse and scrub the ginger. There’s usually no need to peel it, especially when using a juicer. However, if you want to peel it for any reason, using a spoon to peel ginger is the easiest and quickest method. Then, juice the ginger and other ingredients. Feed the ginger shot ingredients through a juicer and enjoy! If using a blender, you’ll need some additional liquid to help it blend so that the concoction won’t be as concentrated. Then strain it through cheesecloth or a nut milk bag.
Three Ginger Shots Recipes
Check out these 3 variations of ginger shots – combine turmeric, lemon, honey, or cayenne pepper for an extra boost for your immune system.
How to Store Ginger Shots
For optimal nutrients and health benefits, it’s best to consume fresh juice as quickly as possible. However, these ginger shots will store in an airtight jar in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Can You Freeze Ginger Shots
If you make a large batch, I highly recommend freezing (for 2-3 months) the extras in an ice cube tray (in 60ml shot-sized portions) that can be left to thaw in the fridge overnight.
More Healthy Shot and Juice Recipes
Wheatgrass shotsFresh orange carrot juiceGreen detox celery apple juiceBeet juice (2 methods)Fresh strawberry kiwi juicePineapple orange juice
If you try any of these ginger shot recipes, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
