These 4-ingredient ginger shots are small concentrated drinks of fresh ginger that boost immunity, sooth upset stomachs, speed metabolism and boost energy. Make them easily in a blender, juicer or even a single serving in a jar.
My ginger shots recipe uses only ginger, lemon, cayenne pepper and water, but is easily customizable with any juice such apple, pineapple, lime, even cherry juice.
You can save money making ginger shots at home as opposed to buying them for $4 a pop. And you don't need a juicer. Back in 2016, I was the first to share the process of making ginger shots using only a blender and a strainer as is noted on Wikihow.
What Are Ginger Shots?
Ginger shots are small fiery drinks typically 2 to 3 ounces made of ginger, water and other ingredients. Popular variations include ginger lemon shots, ginger turmeric shots, ginger pineapple shots, ginger orange shots, ginger lime shots and more.
Benefits
The benefits of ginger shots are many, stemming primarily from ginger, a spice found in a flowering plant from China, has long been respected for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. [source] It is one of the most common ingredients worldwide, has long been used to solve medical issues, ranging from colds to hypertension. Gingerol, the primary antioxidant found in ginger, is the source of its nutritional power. [source].
Specifically science shows that ginger shots:
- Boost immunity
- Improve your mood instantly
- Calm stomach aches
- Reduce menstrual cramps & bloating
- Fight colds and infections
- Energize
- Support weight loss by triggering metabolism
- Regulate blood sugar
- Help lower blood pressure
- Block skin-damaging free radicals
- Reduce migraines
Ingredients Needed
Ginger: Fresh ginger root found in the produce section of your grocer is essential. Look for dry roots as thick and clean as possible.
Lemon: This bright citrus fruit is a powerful antimicrobial, and kicks up your immune system as well and your vitamin C levels to lofty heights! It is also a star antioxidant and high in essential minerals such as potassium and folate. [source]
Cayenne Pepper: Pepper is especially important to provide bioavailability of gingerol. If you customize your shot with turmeric, pepper is especially important for the same reason. In both cases, black pepper is also fine, it just has a larger grain so for that reason powdery cayenne is preferable. [source]
Water: Filtered water or coconut water or even juices may be used. Coconut water lends a sweeter flavor and more electrolytes. Juices will raise the sugar levels.
Swaps & Additions
Boost nutritional targets of your shot by replacing the water with a juice including pineapple, orange, lime or cherry.
Pineapple juice is known for its ability to reduce inflammation due to the ingredient bromelain.
Orange juice is high in vitamin C, potassium and folate.
Lime Juice is known for its ability to protect eyes and boost digestion.
Cherry juice contains melatonin which supports sleep and lowers blood pressure.
Apple Cider Vinegar : Add apple cider vinegar (ACV) to boost fat burning, promote a general detox and decrease blood sugar levels.
Turmeric : Add ground turmeric to increase anti-inflammatories. Or make a separate turmeric shot. Here is my detailed recipe.
How to Make Ginger Shots
It's really easy to make ginger shots at home. Of course you can use a juicer if you have one, just follow the juicer's instructions. To use a blender, here are the steps:
Read my complete recipe below and watch my video for a step by step but here are the general steps:
Step 1. Wash fresh ginger knobs, and chop them roughly. Leave the skin on.
Step 2. Juice 4 lemons to achieve about ½ cup of lemon juice. Or use bottled organic pure lemon juice.
Step 3. Blend or use a juicer to process the chopped ginger, lemon juice, water and pepper.
Step 4. If you used a blender, pour the mixture into a strainer, and press with a spoon until the remaining pulp is fairly dry. For extra clear juice, lay a cheesecloth in the strainer.
Step 5. The captured liquid is your shots! Drink half and refrigerate the other half for tomorrow. This recipe makes two shots.
Food Waste Hacks: Freeze the pulp in ice cube trays and add some to smoothies and soups for added nutrition and fiber. Or bake the pulp at 250 F for an hour to dry, then run it in a food processer into ginger powder.
Use Ground Ginger
Although the nutrition is strongest with fresh ginger, and fresh juice, here is a recipe to use ground ginger to make a ginger shot. Use it on days you have, say, an upset stomach and desperately need a ginger shot fast.
To make a ginger shot in a jar using ground ginger, combine ½ cup of organic lemon juice (my favorite brand), ½ cup of water, or ½ teaspoon of ground ginger or 2 tablespoon organic ginger paste, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You can find jars of ginger paste in the Asian ingredient aisle or buy it here) or make fresh paste by pressing fresh ginger root with a garlic press.
Now shake it up, taste, double the ginger if you want it stronger, and drink! Here is my Ginger Shot in A Jar video, demonstrating the steps.
When to Take
It is best to take a ginger shot first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, at cold or room temperature, about 30 minutes before eating. This timing will end your overnight fast, flush out toxins, kick start your digestion and energize your day. [source]
Start with one a day, and go up to two, but no more to avoid side effects.
Negative Side Effects
In general ginger shots are safe, but too much can lead to a heartburn, negative effects on tooth enamel and your esophagus. Also consult with your doctor if you are on any medications that might conflict such as blood thinners.
FAQS
What Makes Ginger Burn?
Ginger tastes hot because of gingerol, the very antioxidant that gives it nutritional power. Though it tastes much less hot than the capsaicin found in searing chili peppers, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. The bright taste of lemon actually smooths the edge. Chase the burn with water if you must.
How Much Do Ginger Shots Cost?
You probably have seen these shots ready-made at the grocery store, right? Whole Foods and other grocery stores stock ginger-lemon shots by brands like KOR and JUS. But they are expensive - $3 - $4 at least for a few ounces.
Made at home in your blender, your shots will cost a fraction of that, even if you add in the optional cayenne pepper and coconut water. Depending on the cost of your ginger, your homemade ginger shots will cost probably 20 cents or so per shot.
How Do Ginger Shots Taste?
Ginger shots with ginger, lemon and cayenne pepper taste startlingly bright, with a bite from the pepper and ginger, and a touch of sweet and tangy from the lemon. If you choose to use coconut water or juice instead of plain water the flavor is even sweeter.
How Long Do Ginger Shots Last in Fridge?
Ginger shots are most potent for 24 hours, but can last up to a week refrigerated. However it's best to pour extra into ice cube trays and thaw when needed.
More Healthy Drink Recipes
Smoothie Ice Cube Concentrates for easy speedy make-ahead breakfasts!
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Ginger Shots Recipe
Ingredients
Ginger Shots
- ½ cup (50g) fresh ginger root knobs wash, chopped; find in produce section)
- ½ cup (120g) lemon juice (squeezing 3-4 lemons should produce about ½ cup juice OR use organic bottled juice)
- ¼ cup (60g) water (or use coconut water or juice)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (or ground black pepper)
Optional Swaps
- ¼ cup (60g) orange juice Use this is instead of ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup (60g) pineapple juice Use this is instead of ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup (60g) lime juice Use this is instead of ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup (60g) cherry juice Use this is instead of ¼ cup water
Optional Additions
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Prep
- Wash fresh ginger root as you would a potato, with water and a cloth to scrub off debris. Then chop fresh ginger into chunks, just small enough to blend.
- Squeeze 4 lemons to gather ½ cup of lemon juice, or measuring it out from a bottle of pure organic lemon juice.
How to Make Ginger Shots
- Add all ingredients to a blender or use a juicer. Blend or juice the chopped ginger, lemon juice, water and pepper.½ cup (50g) fresh ginger root knobs, ¼ cup (60g) water, ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, ½ cup (120g) lemon juice
To Use a Blender
- If you used a blender, pour the blended mixture through a strainer into a measuring cup.
- With a spoon or spatula, push the mixture through a strainer until the pulp is fairly dry and you have captured most of the juice from the blended mixture.
- Freeze the pulp in ice cube trays and add it to smoothies and soups for extra nutrition and fiber.
How to Drink
- Pour out the liquid into two glasses and drink one ginger shot and refrigerate the other for tomorrow.
Storage
- This recipe makes about ½ cup. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a week but declines in potency with each day.
- Make in bulk and freeze ginger shots in ice cube trays. Then add a cube to a glass the night before, let is thaw refrigerated, then add a bit of water to it and down the shot.
tendrilstwo
I just found you on facebook. Your treats look amazing and I've made far too many so now I need this shot to settle my stomach lol.