These homemade ginger shots are the one thing I actually look forward to every single morning — and I don't say that lightly. One knob of fresh ginger root, four lemons, two oranges, turmeric, and black pepper. That's it. Five minutes. And the result is sharper, fresher, and way more satisfying than anything sitting in a bottle at the health food store!
What makes this ginger shot recipe different is the orange. Most recipes only use lemon, and while lemon is great, the orange adds this natural sweetness that balances the heat of the ginger without needing honey or any sweetener. It makes the shot actually enjoyable to take — not something you dread.
I always take these on an empty stomach in the morning! They're a wonderful addition to any morning routine if you are in need of a little immunity & digestive boost! This is the recipe I've tested, tweaked, and settled on. Let me show you exactly how I make mine.
If you love refreshing drink recipes, you are also going to LOVE my raspberry lemonade, homemade ginger ale & Hailey Bieber Erewhon Smoothie!
Jump to:
How to make (VIDEO)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep all the fruits! Roughly slice ginger, lemon & oranges!
- Step 2: Transfer to a juicer or blender!
- Step 3: Strain out the juice!
- Step 4: Add turmeric & black pepper!
Scroll down for the full recipe card!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes and you can make a whole week's worth at once
- No added sugar needed — the orange does the work naturally
- Works in a blender or a juicer — whatever you already have at home
- That black pepper + turmeric combo is the one detail most recipes miss — and it genuinely matters
- So much cheaper than buying store-bought ginger shots every week
Related
Looking for other drink recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve after this ginger shot:
Easy Ginger Shot Recipe (Better Than Store-Bought!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prep the ginger — Chop the ginger knob into small pieces. No need to peel if you're straining.
- Prep the citrus — Halve your lemons and oranges. Peel the lemons if you want a cleaner, less bitter flavor. Oranges can stay unpeeled.
- Juice or blend — Run everything through a juicer, OR add to a high-speed blender with a small splash of water and blend until smooth.
- Strain — If using a blender, strain through a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag. Press the pulp firmly to extract every last drop of juice.
- Add spices — Stir in the turmeric and black pepper. Mix well.
- Serve or store — Pour into shot glasses and drink immediately, or transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Shake well before each use.
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Frequently asked questions
No — if you're using a juicer or straining through a blender, the skin gets filtered out completely. Just scrub the fresh ginger root clean with a vegetable brush and chop into small pieces. If you're using organic ginger, even better — the skin is perfectly safe and actually packed with nutrients.
Yes, a high-speed blender is all you need — no fancy juicer required. Blend your main ingredients with a little regular water or coconut water, then strain through a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag. Even a food processor works in a pinch — just strain really well. Press the pulp firmly and you'll be surprised how much ginger juice is still in there.
Up to 5 days in the fridge in a sealed glass jar. For longer storage, freeze them in an ice cube tray — they'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw one at a time as needed, or drop a frozen cube straight into warm water. This is the easiest way to store ginger shots if you want to batch cook for the month.
It's not for flavor — it's for absorption. The piperine in black pepper increases your body's ability to absorb the curcumin in turmeric by up to 2,000%. Without it, most of the turmeric's anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties are basically wasted. You won't taste it at all, so there's genuinely no reason to skip it.
The health benefits of ginger are well documented — healthy digestion, reduced nausea, support for your immune system, and anti-inflammatory properties that may help with muscle soreness and immune health especially during flu season. The vitamin C from the lemon and orange juice adds another layer of support. Some people also note that the combination may help with lower blood sugar levels and brain function, though always chat with your doctor about anything health-specific — this post is for informational purposes only.
Ginger shots are generally very well tolerated, but in high doses they can cause digestive issues for sensitive stomachs. Start with one small two-ounce shot and build from there. If you're on blood thinners or have a specific health condition, check with your doctor first. And quick note — these support your wellness routine but they're not a substitute for medical care.
Storage
- Fridge: Store your fresh ginger shots in a glass jar or airtight container for up to 5 days — always shake before drinking since the turmeric settles to the bottom of the bottles
- Freezer: Pour into an ice cube tray for longer storage — up to 3 months. Thaw a cube overnight in the fridge and grab it on your way out. It's also a great addition to smoothie recipes straight from frozen!
- Serving: Drink as a two-ounce shot in small glasses or shot glasses, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for the full benefits
Substitutions
- Oranges: swap for apple juice or pineapple juice for a sweeter, more tropical base recipe — both pair beautifully with ginger
- Lemons: lime juice works great with slightly sharper flavor, or try apple cider vinegar for a more intense wellness punch
- Ground turmeric: fresh turmeric root (about 1 inch) is even better if you can find it near the ginger at your grocery store — a great swap as an optional ingredient
- Want more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper — it adds kick, supports circulation, and brings its own anti-inflammatory properties
- Sweeten it: a tablespoon honey or maple syrup takes the edge off beautifully — especially if you're new to the flavor and working your way up
Top Tips for Success
- Don't skip the black pepper. This is the most important tip in the whole post and most people leave it out. Black pepper contains a compound called piperine that activates the curcumin in turmeric root — without it, your body can barely absorb the turmeric at all. That means you're missing most of the anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant properties that make these ginger turmeric shots worth drinking. It doesn't change the flavor at all, so just add it. Every. Time.
- You don't need a fancy juicer. A high-speed blender gets you the exact same result as a slow juicer or centrifugal juicer — honestly. Add your ginger and citrus, blend with a little water (a splash, not a full cup water), then strain through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag — press the pulp down firmly to squeeze every last drop of ginger juice out. Strainer bags work great too. The fresh ginger shots you get from a blender are just as clean and potent as anything a juicer produces.
- Peeling is optional — here's when it actually matters. For the ginger: skip it. If you're straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve or nut milk bag, the skin gets filtered out anyway. Just scrub the fresh ginger root clean first. For the citrus: I do recommend peeling the lemons — the white pith turns bitter in the citrus juice — but the oranges are totally fine either way. This one small detail makes the finished wellness shot taste so much cleaner without any real extra effort.
Leave a Reply