Ginger turmeric shots {refined sugar-free}

These wellness shots are loaded with powerful ingredients including ginger, turmeric, lemon, green apples, and black pepper. They’re anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants, and immune-boosting!

Today we’re taking a break from sweets to discuss something healthier – juice! Specifically, we’re talking ginger turmeric shots. Have you had one? Have you heard of them? They’re very trendy at juice bars and that may seem like a good reason to roll your eyes, but just hear me out. I’ve never been a big juice drinker, and yet this is the first thing I drink in the morning, every day without fail. It’s made with just a handful of fresh ingredients, it’s veryyyy bold in flavor, and it makes me feel good knowing I’m starting the day with something healthy and nutrient-dense.

Because I want to explain why I love this recipe so much and back it up with some actual science, I’m gonna have to get serious on you guys for a few minutes. I’d like to preface all of this by disclaiming that I am not a doctor, do not have a medical degree, and am not dishing out medical advice. I just want share a few things I’ve learned that have convinced me to drink a daily ginger shot!

Jump to:

• Why drink them?
• What else are they good for?
• What type of juicer to use
• Using organic vs non-organic produce
• Prepping produce for juicing
• Storage and shelf life
• Making these shots milder
• More healthy beverages
• Recipe Card

Why drink them?

The appeal behind these shots is that they’re made with just five all-natural, powerhouse ingredients. I did a little bit of research for y’all to break down their benefits:

Ginger: Well known for settling a queasy stomach, but it also has a whole host of other nutritional benefits. It’s an anti-inflammatory that’s extremely high in antioxidants, and may help prevent cardiovascular issues, cancer, and other diseases.

Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Studies show it may help manage metabolic syndrome (including high cholesterol), arthritis, anxiety, and exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Lemons: High in Vitamin C, which is known to boost immunity. But that’s just one of their many assets! Lemons may also have anticancer benefits, prevent kidney stones, and promote collagen production for healthier skin. Furthermore, they aid in the production of digestive enzymes (which is part of the reason many people swear by drinking lemon water before breakfast).

Green apples: A good source of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, which have been shown to fight cancer and reduce asthma and cardiovascular risks. The high levels of polyphenols in apples also give merit to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (Plus, let’s be real, this juice would be extra-intense without the slight sweetness the apples contribute. We need them!)

Black pepper: Known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, black pepper also increases the bioavailability of turmeric, allowing your body to absorb more of its nutritional benefits.

TL;DR: Everything in these shots is super good for you!

What else are they good for?

Anecdotally, here are a few things we’ve noticed about these ginger turmeric shots:

They wake you up! I’m not sure if it’s something about the tartness of the lemon or the spiciness of the ginger, but drinking one of these shots in the morning definitely gives you some energy.

They stave off hunger. Between this and coffee, we often feel less hungry in the mornings and early afternoons.

They may help boost immunity. We’ve noticed we seem to get sick with less frequency and intensity when we drink these regularly. (Knock on wood! – Again this is not by any means a scientific claim.)

They help reduce the (occasional) negative effects of consuming alcohol. While I try to be very careful about drinking due to my body’s affinity for headaches, I do have friends who can attest to this!

So now that you’re (hopefully) convinced to make your own ginger shots, let’s discuss juicing specifics:

What type of juicer to use

There are two basic types of juicers – masticating (or cold-pressed) and centrifugal; either will work for this recipe. You’ll commonly hear that masticating juicers are more expensive, but better at preserving the nutrients and shelf life of your juice. While the research on this debate doesn’t seem to prove these claims conclusively, we opted for a masticating juicer. The one we use is the Omega J8006, and so far we love it!

Using organic vs non-organic produce

Personally, I choose to spend the extra money for organic produce when making juice. Because I juice the entire fruit/root for this recipe (skin and all), I prefer using fruit that’s as naturally-grown and free of chemicals as possible. If you can get your produce from a local grower, that’s even better!

Prepping produce for juicing

Before you start juicing, you’ll want to rinse all your produce well, and slice the apples and lemons into wedges. You’ll also need to cut your ginger into chunks in order for it to fit in the chute of your juicer. Turmeric is usually small enough to be left whole. And that’s it! You’re ready to juice.

Storage and shelf life

Juice should be stored in a covered, airtight-container and refrigerated immediately. Mason jars are perfect for this! Ideally, you’ll want to fill your jar (or jars) to the brim to prevent air from getting to your juice and increasing the rate of oxidation. Less oxidation = longer lasting juice. While you could be extra-particular about this and purchase single-serving mini mason jars, I’ve found that standard pint-sized mason jars do just fine at keeping this juice fresh for about a week.

Making these shots milder

A word of warning here; these ginger turmeric shots are intense! The idea behind drinking this in shot size is that this is not a sweet juice you’ll want to drink an entire glass of at once. That being said, if you do prefer a juice with a little less kick, you can reduce the ginger by up to half the amount (use a half pound versus a full pound). You can also use one lemon instead of two to scale down the tartness.

More healthy beverages

Don’t have a juicer? Here are a few blender recipes you can try:

Chocolate Raspberry Superfood Smoothie – This smoothie is loaded with all kinds of good things – raspberries, coconut flakes, chia seeds, and a little cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist!

Mint Citrus Green Smoothie – Get your Vitamin C and your greens all in one drink! With fresh mint and citrus, it’s the perfect warm-weather smoothie.

Blueberry Peach Smoothie – There’s nothing but fruit in this simple (but delicious!) summer smoothie.

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