These homemade ginger shots are spicy, vibrant, and packed with fresh ginger and turmeric. If you've been buying them from the store, stop. Making them at home is EASY, takes about 20 minutes, and costs a fraction of what you'd pay for those little bottles at the grocery store.
I started making ginger shots a few years ago when I wanted a quick way to use up fresh ginger and turmeric before they went bad in the fridge. What started as a "let's see what happens" experiment became a weekly ritual. I make a batch every weekend and keep them in the fridge for the whole week.
The flavor is intense. You get that sharp, spicy kick from the ginger, a warm earthiness from the turmeric, a citrusy tang from the lemon and orange, and just a hint of heat from the cayenne. It's A LOT of flavor in one small shot, and that's exactly the point.
Ingredients
Here's what goes into these ginger shots and why each ingredient matters.
Fresh Ginger (1/2 pound) - This is the star of the recipe. Fresh ginger root gives you a sharp, spicy, warming flavor that dried powder just can't match. No need to peel it, just wash it well and chop it up.
Fresh Turmeric (1 medium root) - Adds an earthy warmth and that deep golden color. If you can't find fresh turmeric at your grocery store (check near the ginger and garlic), you can use 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder as a substitute.
Orange (1) - Adds natural sweetness and balances out the intensity of the ginger and turmeric.
Lemons (3) - The citrus tang cuts through the spiciness and rounds out the flavor. You can swap in limes if you prefer.
Cayenne Pepper (a pinch) - Just a tiny bit adds a subtle kick at the back of your throat. Don't overdo it.
Coconut Water or Regular Water (1/2 cup) - Helps blend everything together into a smooth consistency. Coconut water adds a hint of natural sweetness (but plain water works just fine).
How to Make Ginger Shots
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Wash all the produce thoroughly, especially the ginger and turmeric since you won't be peeling them. Cut the peel off the orange and lemons. Chop the ginger and turmeric into rough pieces.
Step 2: Blend
Add the orange, lemons, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and coconut water (or regular water) to a blender. Blend on high until everything is completely broken down.
Step 3: Strain
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl or pitcher. Press down on the pulp to get as much liquid out as possible. If you have a juicer, you can skip the blender and strainer entirely and just juice everything directly.
Step 4: Bottle and Store
Pour the strained liquid into small glass bottles or a larger jar. This recipe makes about 6 shots. Keep them in the fridge and grab one whenever you need it.
Tips for the BEST Ginger Shots
Always use fresh ginger. This is non-negotiable. Fresh ginger root has a sharper, more potent flavor than dried powder, and it blends much better.
Don't peel the ginger or turmeric. Just wash them well. The skin blends right in and gets strained out anyway.
Start with a pinch of cayenne. You can always add more, but too much will make the shots hard to drink.
Use a fine-mesh strainer. The finer the strainer, the smoother your shots will be. A nut milk bag or cheesecloth works even better if you have one.
Shake before drinking. The ingredients will settle in the fridge. Always give the bottle a good shake before pouring.
Add sweetness if needed. If the shots are too intense for you, add a splash of pineapple juice, orange juice, or a little bit of honey to take the edge off.
Variations
Add black pepper. A small pinch of black pepper helps your body absorb the benefits of turmeric more effectively.
Add pineapple or mango. Blending in a handful of pineapple or mango chunks makes the shots naturally sweeter and easier to drink.
Mix into other drinks. If shooting it straight is too intense, stir a shot into a smoothie, tea, or sparkling water.
How to Store Ginger Shots
Store your ginger shots in an airtight glass bottle or jar in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to a week, though the flavor is BEST within the first few days.
If you want to make a larger batch, freeze them in an ice cube tray. They'll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you're ready to use one.
Try these recipes next:
Easy Homemade Ginger Shots Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound fresh ginger
- 1 medium root of fresh turmeric or 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 orange peeled
- 3 lemons peeled
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup coconut water or regular water
Instructions
- Wash all produce thoroughly. Cut the peel from the orange and lemons. Chop the ginger and turmeric into rough pieces. No need to peel the ginger or turmeric.
- Add the orange, lemons, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and coconut water to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth. If using a juicer, simply juice all the ingredients directly.
- Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl. Press the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Pour into small glass bottles or a larger jar. This recipe makes about 6 shots.
Notes
- Always use fresh ginger for the best flavor and potency.
- No need to peel the ginger or turmeric. Just wash them well.
- Start with a pinch of cayenne and adjust to taste.
- Shake before drinking as ingredients will settle.
- If the shots are too intense, mix with pineapple juice, orange juice, or a little honey.
- A pinch of black pepper helps your body absorb the benefits of turmeric more effectively.
- Store in an airtight glass bottle in the fridge for up to a week. Freeze in an ice cube tray for up to 3 months.
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