Ginger Shots

Name: Ginger Shots (Better Than Store Bought!)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup ginger root (washed, roughly chopped); ⅓ cup lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons); ¼ cup coconut water; pinch or two cayenne pepper

by Lisa Bryan

213 Comments

Sep 16, 2024

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These homemade ginger shots are a game changer. They’re an intensely flavored drink and the perfect immunity booster packed with health benefits. Plus, they’re easy to make in a blender and are much more affordable than store-bought bottles.

Ginger shots in glass cups. — *Photo: Gayle McLeod*

Why I Always Have These Ginger Shots On Hand

Ginger is often my go-to ingredient for an immunity or anti-inflammatory boost. I use ginger in my carrot ginger soup, make candied ginger and pickled ginger at home, and love my healing Indonesian Jamu juice when I’m feeling under the weather. But to keep my immune system strong and healthy, especially during the winter season, these ginger shots are perfect for a quick dose of concentrated ginger juice. They might be small, but they’re intense (don’t say I didn’t warn you), and certainly mighty! Here’s what you’ll love about them:

They’re cheaper than branded versions. I used to buy ginger shots from Kor, Vive Organic, or Suja, but gosh are they expensive! And all you need are four simple, affordable ingredients to create these copycat wellness shots at home.
One ginger shot holds powerful health benefits. Ginger is well known to have a myriad of health benefits. From relieving pain and reducing inflammation to soothing your digestive system, ginger does wonders when it comes to healing the body. I’ll talk more about this below!
They store well in the fridge or freezer. I always store a batch of these ginger shots in an ice cube tray in the freezer. Think of it as meal prep for wellness! Then, I can thaw and enjoy them throughout the entire fall and winter season as needed.

Ginger Shot Ingredients

Ginger: Use fresh ginger root for the strongest, most potent flavor. But if you only have access to dried or ground ginger, I have tips for that below.
Lemon Juice: The bright citrus flavor of fresh lemon juice pairs well with the ginger and tastes much better than bottled lemon juice. It also adds a dose of Vitamin C.
Coconut Water: Although you can use water, I like to use coconut water to add a splash of natural sweetness. This helps to balance the pungent ginger lemon flavor.
Cayenne Pepper: Just a pinch of cayenne pepper gives these shots a kick of heat, and it can also improve circulation and digestion.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below

How to Make Ginger Shots

Blend until smooth. Blend the ginger pieces, lemon juice, coconut water, and cayenne pepper until no chunks of ginger remain.

Strain well. Straining the ginger mixture helps remove bits of ginger peel and those pesky ginger fibers! To get the most juice, press the solids with the back of a spoon when straining.

Storage and Freezing Tips

For storing in the fridge: You can store these in individual glass shot bottles or a larger jar and pour individual shots throughout the week. They will last for up to one week in the fridge.
For storing in the freezer: I love to freeze leftovers in a Souper Cubes tray. If you use this small tray, one shot is equal to about 2 frozen cubes. You can then thaw and enjoy as needed!

Common Questions

Can you use ground ginger?

I prefer fresh ginger root in this recipe over ground ginger powder. Ginger root tastes almost spicy when eaten raw, while ground ginger has a more earthy flavor similar to ground turmeric. But, if you don’t have a high-speed blender, you can quickly make these ginger shots by whisking together ground ginger with the other ingredients.

How often can I have ginger shots?

I always say consume things in moderation, and that applies to these ginger shots as well. Also, be careful not to drink more than one ginger shot a day since too much ginger could cause heartburn.

Do the ginger shots burn when you drink them?

Not going to lie, they do! The potent flavor compounds in fresh ginger can give you a fiery sensation in your mouth when drinking ginger shots. That’s normal, but you can always drink a little water afterward.

Can you add other ingredients and flavors?

Yes! To make your ginger shots even healthier or have a different flavor profile, you can add raw honey, turmeric root (with a sprinkle of black pepper), freshly squeezed oranges, blueberries, aloe vera juice, pineapple juice, or apple cider vinegar.

What can I do with the leftover ginger pulp?

If the solids were peeled before using, you could always toss them in a smoothie for a ginger boost. But if it’s more the outer skin, I’d probably just use it in compost.

Health Benefits of Ginger

If ginger shots are new to you, let me give you a little background on the health benefits of ginger. Ginger is a flowering plant originating from China and is related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. The underground part of the ginger stem has a long history in both traditional and alternative medicine. And ginger gets its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties from naturally high levels of gingerol.

Ginger has been used to treat nausea, indigestion, muscle soreness, and osteoarthritis symptoms. It also may help to lower blood sugar, improve brain function, and prevent heart disease. It’s a true superhero in the world of superfoods and one of my favorite anti-inflammatory ingredients.

More Healthy Drink Recipes

Golden Milk: A cozy and delicious way to enjoy turmeric during the winter.
Green Smoothie: A staple green smoothie I always keep in rotation.
Pineapple Turmeric Smoothie: A tropical delight with a turmeric boost.
Turmeric Tea: A vibrant and earthy tea for cold weather days.
Elderberry Tea: A warm and soothing drink that helps ward off colds and flu.
Or enjoy these other anti-inflammatory drinks!

If you make these ginger shots, I’d love to know how they turn out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.

Ginger Shots (Better Than Store Bought!)

4.98 from 82 votes

Prep: 10

Total: 10

Servings: 2 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

Print Pin Review Save

Description

Start your day with these good-for-you, immune-boosting ginger shots! They take just a few minutes to make with a high-speed blender. Watch how I make them in the video below!

Video

Equipment

Vitamix Blender My favorite high-speed blender.
Souper Cubes Tray The best silicone freezing trays!
Small Glass Bottles Perfect for storing individual ginger shots.

Ingredients

▢ ¼ cup ginger root, washed, roughly chopped
▢ ⅓ cup lemon juice, from 3 to 4 lemons
▢ ¼ cup coconut water
▢ pinch or two cayenne pepper

Instructions

Blend the mixture. Place all the ingredients in a high-powered blender. Put the lid on the blender, and process until the ginger and lemon juice mixture is smooth.
Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer. Press on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.
Serve or store away. Pour the strained liquid into shot glasses and drink right away or store them in an ice cube tray or glass bottles.

Lisa’s Tips

Each shot is about 3 to 3 ½ tablespoons.
You can always double, triple, or quadruple this recipe and save the remaining ginger shots for up to one week in a sealed container in the fridge. I love to make an extra-large batch and then store in these glass shot bottles or freeze leftovers in a Souper Cubes tray. If you use this small tray, one shot is equal to about 2 frozen cubes. You can then just thaw and enjoy as needed!
While you can peel the ginger if you’d like, it’s not necessary, since you’ll be straining the juice before drinking it. Just make sure it’s washed well.
Ginger shots are meant to be drunk all at once as a quick shot. And yes, they’re potent! I always seem to let out a little “whoah” sound after drinking (see the video above, lol!).

Nutrition

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: ginger shot recipe, ginger shots, wellness shots

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Recipe originally posted September 2020, but updated to include new information and information for your benefit!

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.