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    Home / Recipes / Healthy Drinks

    Ginger Shots (Recipe + Benefits)

    Sep 18, 2016 · Updated: Apr 3, 2023 by Dee Dine · Affliate links disclosure.

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    ginger shots in corked bottles
    pouring ginger shots into glasses
    pouring ginger shots into glasses

    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.

    pour ginger shots into shot glasses

    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 this ginger shot recipe at home as opposed to buying them for $4 a pop. And as with my other wellness shot recipes and my turmeric shots, you don't need a juicer, although this recipe works with one.

    I've been using a blender and a fine mesh strainer for making ginger shots for a decade. My method is even featured on Wikihow. In this post, I also show you how to use a jar, and a version that uses ground ginger for convenience.

    Table of Contents
    • What Are Ginger Shots?
    • Health Benefits
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Equipment
    • Swaps & Additions
    • How to Make Ginger Shots
    • Use Ground Ginger & Jar
    • When to Drink
    • Negative Side Effects
    • FAQS
    • More Detox Drinks
    • 📖 Recipe

    ginger shots in corked bottles

    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.

    Health Benefits

    Ginger shot benefits are many, stemming primarily from ginger, a spice found in a flowering plant from China, that has long been respected for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. [source] It is one of the most common ingredients worldwide, and has been used to solve many 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
    • Lower blood sugar
    • Help lower blood pressure
    • Block skin-damaging free radicals
    • Reduce migraines

    ingredients for ginger shots

    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: Fresh lemon juice 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.

    Equipment

    To make homemade ginger shots all you need is a blender and a fine mesh strainer. You can store the ginger shots in a jar, and parcel out servings each day, or bottle them in individual 3-ounce shot glasses.

    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:

    Find specific measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, for now here are the general steps:

    Step 1. Wash fresh ginger root with a brush as you would a potato, and chop the root roughly. Leave the skin on.

    Step 2. Juice 4 lemons to achieve about ½ cup of lemon juice. Or measure out from bottled organic pure lemon juice.

    chopping fresh ginger, pouring lemon juice

    Step 3. If you used a juicer, follow your machine's directions. To use a blender, add the ginger, lemon juice plus water and cayenne pepper to your blender jar and process the mixture until combined. It will be sludgy with specks of skin.

    Step 4. Pour the mixture into a fine mesh strainer, stirring and pressing the mixture with a spoon until the remaining pulp is fairly dry. For extra clear juice, lay a cheesecloth in the strainer and squeeze more juice from the pulp.

    Step 5. The captured liquid is your ginger shots! Drink half and refrigerate the other half for tomorrow. This recipe makes two shots.

    ginger in blender, poured through strainer

    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 processor into ginger powder.

    Use Ground Ginger & Jar

    Although the nutrition is strongest with fresh ginger, and fresh juice, here is a recipe to use ginger powder 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 combine:

    • ½ cup of organic lemon juice (my favorite brand)
    • ½ cup of water
    • ½ teaspoon of ginger powder OR 2 tablespoon ginger paste
    • and a pinch of cayenne pepper

    Now shake the jar, taste, double the ginger if you want it stronger, and drink! Here is my ginger shot in a jar video.

    Find ginger powder (ground ginger) in the spice aisle at a grocery store.

    Find store-bought paste in jars in the Asian ingredient aisle or buy it here. Or make ginger paste by pushing fresh ginger root through a garlic press.

    ginger chopped and grated and pressed in a garlic press

    When to Drink

    It is best to drink 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, freeze away and thaw when needed.

    hand chopping fresh ginger
    Ginger Shots

    More Detox Drinks

    • Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice
    • Homemade Turmeric Shots
    • 5 Wellness Shots
    • Celery Juice
    • Lime Water + Benefits
    • Ginger Juice + Benefits
    • Smoothie Cubes 

    Ginger-Lemon Shots Blender Recipe
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    📖 Recipe

    pour ginger shots into shot glasses

    Ginger Shots Recipe

    Created by Dee Dine
    These 4 ingredient ginger shots boost immunity, can sooth an upset stomach, speed metabolism and spike energy. Full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, this ginger shot recipe is easy to make in a blender, juicer or jar using fresh or powdered ginger.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved! Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 4 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 minute min
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 33 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 fine mesh strainer
    • 1 hand juicer
    • shot glasses
    • glass straws
    • cork bottles

    Ingredients
      

    Ginger Shots

    • ½ cup (50g) fresh ginger root 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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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 measure 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 and process until combined. To use a juicer, follow your machine's instructions.
      ½ cup (50g) fresh ginger root, ¼ cup (60g) water, ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, ½ cup (120g) lemon juice

    To Use a Blender

    • To use a blender, pour the blended mixture through a strainer into a measuring cup.
    • With a spoon or spatula, push the mixture through the strainer until the pulp is fairly dry and you have captured most of the juice from the blended mixture. For a more clear result, add a cheesecloth inside the strainer, and strain the liquid again to remove more pulp.

    Don't discard the pulp

    • 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 ginger shots in bulk and freeze them in ice cube trays. Then add a cube to a glass the night before, let it thaw refrigerated, then add a bit of water to it and down the shot.

    Video

    Notes

    1. This ginger shot recipe makes two shots, about 3 ounces each.
    2. Wash fresh ginger root thoroughly to remove dirt, but no need to peel.
    3. Swapping a juice for the water will increase the sugar levels.
    4. Drink one ginger shot a day, and drink it either cold or at room temperature. Avoid drinking more because multiple shots can wear down your teeth enamel and irritate your throat.
    5. To make a shot in a jar, buy jarred ginger paste or press an inch of fresh ginger root through a garlic press to create 2 tablespoons of pulp. Add this to ½ cup of lemon juice, ½ cup of water, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a jar, and just shake it up. This makes two shots.
    6. To use ground ginger or powdered ginger: Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder to ½ cup of lemon juice, ½ cup of water, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a jar and just shake it up. This makes two shots.
    Drink the shots without straining if you don't mind the sludge texture. The fiber is excellent for your digestion.
    Preserve the pulp in ice cube trays and add it to smoothies and soups for extra fiber and flavor.
    Bake the pulp at 250 F for one hour to dry it out. Grind it in a food processor and use the powder as fresh ground ginger.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 33kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 56IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword ginger shot, ginger shot recipe, ginger shots, wellness shot
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Detox Juices to Feel Great in 2023

    1. Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
    2. Ginger Shots
    3. Ginger Juice
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    5. Turmeric Shots
    6. How to Make Ginger Tea

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    About GSG

    Welcome to GSG, a healthy food blog sharing plant based recipes for healthy desserts and recipes, making clean eating easy!

    About Dee

    Chocolate and ginger enthusiast. Animal lover, a nutritional juicing aficionado, and probably chopping chocolate in my Washington DC kitchen right now. Read about Dee → »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jude

      May 05, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for the powdered ginger option.

      Reply
    2. Dee Dine

      January 02, 2023 at 12:06 pm

      ACV is a wonderful addition! I agree, I think lime juice sweetens even though technically lemon juice is sweeter.

      Reply
    3. Dee Dine

      January 02, 2023 at 11:55 am

      Yes, instructions are in the recipe card for using ground ginger!

      Reply
    4. RD

      July 29, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      I love the jar method. I needed a ginger shot today and made it the second I read this. You are an angel.

      Reply
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    dee dine

    I'm Dee! Welcome to GSG! Eating healthier and lighter, with plenty of fruits and veggies, can be fun, especially when chocolate and desserts are involved. Here you'll find plant-based recipes that everyone will love. About Dee →

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