Make potent homemade turmeric shots inexpensively at home in two ways, with either fresh turmeric root or turmeric powder. These 3-ingredient immune-boosting wellness shots have orange juice for flavor and pepper for power and are easy to make in a blender, juicer or a jar.
Turmeric shots are potent concentrated small drinks made in a blender, about 3-4 ounces, that boost the immune system, fight disease by reducing inflammation, and improve gut health. I make them using either fresh turmeric root or turmeric powder.
You can buy the turmeric shots from grocery stores, including brands such as Kor and Vive. They come in various flavors and target various nutritional benefits but cost a pricey $3-$4 each. Like my ginger shots and wellness shots, my homemade turmeric shots cost well under a dollar to make so homemade shots are far more budget friendly.
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What is Turmeric?
Turmeric shots contain turmeric, an orange spice that comes from a root in the ginger family. Turmeric is an ancient spice that Indian cuisines have enjoyed for thousands of years and Ayurvedic medicine has revered for its ability to heal a myriad of conditions. In fact, turmeric has been used as a traditional medicine in some countries, including Indonesia where they call it Jamu.
Healthy potent shots, such as my collection of wellness shots and my ever popular ginger shots, have become exceptionally popular in the past few years. Turmeric shots have also become popular, as has the spice, appearing in everything from turmeric lattes to ice cream, because of its health potential.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
There is science behind turmeric's popularity. Turmeric contains a bioactive compound called curcumin which is a known antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. These effects help boost immunity, clear up digestion issues, detox, improve blood circulation and more. You should note though to release curcumin from turmeric, black pepper needs to be ingested at the same time hence the black pepper in my recipe.
You can use fresh turmeric or turmeric powder in this recipe, although the health benefits using fresh are about twice as strong as when using turmeric powder.
Ingredients
Turmeric: Find fresh turmeric root in the grocery store produce section. Find turmeric powder in the spice aisle.
Black pepper: Pepper is necessary to activate the curcumin and increase its bioavailability, or rather help the body absorb more of it.
Orange juice: This potent citrus provides additional immune boosting power with vitamin C. Its acidity is useful in dissolving the turmeric and its sweetness provides flavor balance.
Coconut water: I use coconut water because it has a natural sweetness and is high in potassium, so important in boosting immunity.
See the recipe card at the bottom for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
Turmeric. Use ground turmeric or powdered turmeric, or the fresh turmeric root.
Black pepper. You can use cayenne pepper instead.
Orange juice. You can use lemon juice, carrot juice, pineapple juice or your favorite cold pressed juice.
Coconut water. You can use water instead.
Step by Step Instructions
For more detail, visit the complete and printable recipe at the bottom of this post, but here are general steps for two ways to make turmeric shots with fresh root or powdered turmeric.
1: Use Fresh Turmeric Root
Step 1: Wash turmeric root, brushing off dirt with a toothbrush. No need to peel because you'll be straining out the pulp. Chop the root into large chunks if using a blender or juicer, or push chunks through a garlic press if grating to use a jar.
Step 2. Juice the oranges. You can use fresh juice, not from concentrate if you prefer that over juicing fresh oranges. Oranges are important to offset any bitter flavor and of course oranges provide additional immune-boosting vitamin C.
Step 3. Add ingredients to a juicer, blender or a jar.
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- Using a juicer: Follow your juicer's instructions.
- Using a blender: Blend the mixture as smooth as you can. A high speed blender is best - such as Blendtec, Nutribullet or Vitamix, but a medium speed blender will also work.
Step 4. Strain the Mixture. Use a fine strainer to pour the mixture through, capturing the paper skin of the root and orange pulp. Use a rubber spatula to press on the mixture and squeegee out as much liquid as possible.
Step 5. Drink your Shot. This recipe makes 2 shots.
2: Use Turmeric Powder
This method is convenient because it means you can use an ordinary jar and not stain your blender jar.
Step 1: Add orange juice, coconut water, powdered turmeric spice and black pepper to a jar.
Step 2: Shake vigorously. You do not need to strain when using turmeric powder. Drink your shot. This recipe makes 2 shots.
Pro tip: Turmeric stains so use a washable dish as a cutting board. Clean your blender by adding water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, let it sit for ten minutes, then wash as usual.
Storage
Refrigerated. Whether you make it from fresh turmeric or turmeric powder, store refrigerated for up to 7 days before the wellness power begins to fade.
Make Ahead Turmeric Shots. Pour the shots in ice cube trays and store in the freezer for three months. Drop 4 (1-tablespoon) cubes into a glass the night before and your shot will be thawed and ready the next morning.
Pro-tip: Do not freeze shots in glass vials as the glass will shatter. Use ice cube trays.
Additions & How to Use Turmeric Shots
Boost your shot by adding a teaspoon of aloe vera juice, or apple cider vinegar or a 1-inch knob of ginger, cinnamon or coconut oil, or even lime juice or ginger juice.
Or you can take your shots individually or add them to or drink with:
- Ginger tea
- Ginger shots
- Carrot juice
- add to any wellness juices or smoothies.
FAQS
You should take a turmeric shot once a day as science says you should ingest no more than 500mg of curcumin a day, which would be one of the turmeric shots in this recipe.
It's best to take turmeric shots before breakfast on an empty stomach to ensure best absorption but not within 4 hours of taking an iron supplement as turmeric can interfere with iron absorption.
Yes! To make a turmeric shot in a jar, add turmeric powder, orange juice, black pepper and coconut water to a jar, screw on the lid and shake. Drink as is.
Turmeric is deemed safe for most people, however pregnant women or breastfeeding women should not consume these shots or supplements. Turmeric can also act as a blood thinner and should not be taken before surgery. Check with your medical professional for questions.
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📖 Recipe
Turmeric Shots (powdered or fresh)
Equipment
- Fine mesh sieve or strainer
Ingredients
- ¼ cup orange juice (60 ml) (1 juiced orange)
- ½ cup coconut water (120 ml)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Choose fresh or powdered Turmeric
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder or ground
- 2 inches fresh turmeric root, grated Makes about 4 tablespoons grated
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Instructions
Using Fresh turmeric root
- Wash the turmeric root, brushing off dirt with a toothbrush. There is no need to peel since you'll be filtering out the hard substances in this mixture.
- Chop turmeric root with a knife and pulverize further using a garlic press or cheese grater. You will need 4 tablespoons of grated turmeric to make 2 (3-ounce) shots.
- Juice the Orange. You can use fresh store bought juice if you prefer. Oranges are important to offset any bitter flavor and of course oranges provide additional immune-boosting vitamin C.
- Add Ingredients to a Blender. Blend the mixture as smooth as you can. A high speed blender is best - such as Blendtec, Nutribullet or Vitamix, but a medium speed blender will also work.¼ cup orange juice (60 ml), ½ cup coconut water (120 ml), ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 inches fresh turmeric root, grated
- Strain the Mixture. Pour the mixture through a fine strainer. I typically use a rubber spoon to press on the mixture and squeegee out as much liquid as possible. The liquid are your two shots. Discard the pulp.
Using Turmeric powder
- Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder to the blender along with the other ingredients. Blend, strain and drink or store. You can also use a jar with turmeric powder, just shake and strain.¼ cup orange juice (60 ml), ½ cup coconut water (120 ml), ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
Drink Your Shot
- Whichever way you make it, drink half (1 3-ounce shot) at once for most potent use. You can make it in double or triple batches however and refrigerate for up to 5 days before the wellness power begins to fade.
Storage
- Turmeric shots can be made ahead and refrigerated for 7 days, or frozen for three months in ice cube trays.
Amanda says
love that you provided both fresh and powdered turmeric recipes 🤍
Dee Dine says
Many thanks Amanda, exactly! Sometimes you just can't get your hands on fresh!
Darcy says
Greate recipe thank-you for this. I was just wondering where you purchased the shot glasses, as they look like a great size for making wellness shots?
Thanks
Dee Dine says
Thank you! Amazon! I think these might be the small cork bottles but here are links to both sizes: Here are large cork bottles and
small cork bottles
Jeanine says
I made the tumeric shot. Drank half of it today. Am recovering from a cold/sinus infection. I cooked the tumeric briefly to soften it so it could be absorbed and blended better. I didn't have to strain it. I used an immersion blender. The shot was strong but good. Thanks. Also, I am a cookbook junkie so I will check out your cookbooks. Thanks
Dee Dine says
Thank you for the feedback and kind words about my cookbooks. That's an excellent idea to cook the turmeric first to avoid straining. Thanks for the tip!
Mildred C Jones says
I'm going to try the tumeric shot and purchase your book!!
Dee Dine says
Wow! That's the best news, thank you!
Mas says
Does the homemade version of the powder in cup version still produce two servings or is that only one serving?!
Dee Dine says
Two servings!
Travis says
I found you with your smoothie book! 4-ingredients, woohoo! Also I was looking for a fast way to make a turmeric shot so this post is appreciated.
Dee Dine says
Great to hear, Travis!