Jamu Juice (Turmeric Ginger Drink)
Jamu juice is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink that keeps your body refreshed and balanced. It’s a simple blend of fresh turmeric, ginger, lemon, water, and sweetened with a bit of honey. Serve it chilled or warmed up for the perfect immunity booster this season.
What Is Jamu Juice?
It wasn’t until my trip to Indonesia that I discovered one of Bali’s hidden gem: Jamu juice. Traditionally, Jamu is an Indonesian medicine made from natural ingredients including roots, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits.
Nowadays, the most common form of Jamu is turmeric Jamu. This is an all natural, anti-inflammatory tonic that boasts tons of health and beauty benefits. And while the name sounds exotic, the ingredients are quite simple.
This recipe includes fresh turmeric and ginger, honey, a squeeze of lemon and coconut water. Yep, that’s it! But you’d be surprised at what this simple combination can do. From reducing inflammation, improving digestion, to enhancing immunity, this juice really does it all. And it’s no wonder why everyone in Bali is drinking this by the jar.
Jamu Juice Ingredients
Here’s a quick breakdown of the exact ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.
- Fresh Turmeric – 125 grams
- Fresh Ginger – 20 grams
- Black Pepper – a pinch
- Lemon – 2 tablespoons
- Honey – 2 tablespoons (or other sweetener)
- Coconut Water – 4 cups
Things to keep in mind about some of these ingredients:
- Make sure to rinse and clean your fresh turmeric and ginger with hot water as you won’t be peeling the skin off.
- Be mindful that turmeric can stain! So wash your blender and chopping board immediately after using.
- For the liquid base, you can use regular water instead of coconut water. But I’ve chosen to use coconut water to add extra electrolytes.
Benefits Of Turmeric And Ginger
Turmeric and ginger are the main ingredients in this recipe – and for good reason.
Turmeric
There’s no doubt that the turmeric spice has taken over our food industry lately. From lattes to hearty soups, there’s many ways to take advantage of its benefits if used properly. So what are those exactly?
Turmeric is most known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. And this is all thanks to its star compound: curcumin. This compound not only leads to health benefits for your skin, but can assist with visible signs of aging.
Ginger
Ginger has been used in many cultures around the world for its medicinal properties. From relieving pain to soothing your digestive system, it does wonders when it comes to healing the body. And just like Turmeric, ginger has a compound called gingerol which reduces inflammation, pain for chronic conditions, and so much more.
How To Make Jamu Juice
This refreshing juice comes together in just 4 easy steps. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Slice. Grab your fresh turmeric and ginger and slice it into thin pieces. Feel free to leave the skin on, but you can also peel as well.
- Blend. Add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and water to a high powered blender. Then blend for about 1 minute until it’s completely smooth.
- Boil. Pour the mixture into a pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, then add the lemon juice and honey. Give everything a good stir.
- Strain. Using a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag, or cloth, strain the mixture and pour it into a glass bottle to refrigerate.
When And How To Drink This
Typically Jamu juice is served chilled straight out of the fridge or over ice. But, you can also warm it up a bit if you’re in a colder environment.
So when should you drink this? Well, there’s no solid time. This could be a great option to drink first thing in the morning to prime your digestion. Or you can have a small glass (serving size is about a 1/2 cup) in between meals – just not during meals since it’s very strong in flavor.
If it’s too strong or spicy for you, you can always dilute it with a bit more water as well.
How Long Does This Last?
Jamu juice should last about 1 week in the fridge. Just make sure to store it in an airtight jar and give it a good stir or shake before serving.
More Anti-Inflammatory Recipes
Looking for ways to boost your immune system? Try to include these recipes throughout your weeknight meals.
- Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)
- Poached Chicken and Winter Vegetable Soup
- Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard
- Bok Choy With Garlic And Ginger
- Carrot Ginger Soup
Jamu Juice (Turmeric Ginger Drink)
Ingredients
- 125 grams fresh turmeric, approximately 1 cup roughly chopped
- 20 grams fresh ginger, approximately 1 finger sized piece
- 4 cups coconut water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey, or other sweetener
- a pinch of black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the turmeric and ginger into thin disks. Feel free to leave the skin on.
- Add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper and coconut water into a blender. Blend on high speed for about a minute, until it's a smooth mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Then add the lemon juice and honey, and give everything a good stir.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag or muslin cloth. Then pour into a glass bottle or jar and refrigerate. Enjoy chilled or warm.
Lisa's Tips
- If you like my storage containers, they're these juice jars and glass bottle.
Do you simmer covered or uncovered?
Hi Rebekah- You can simmer this either way!
Get rid of the honey for us keto people that’s more carbs than were allowed in one day so will need to find a honey substitute
Jamu juice is awesome juice. I will definitely try it. Also, i love drink made by using Alphonso mangoes as taste of alphonso mango is very sweet.
It really is one of my favorite juices to make!
Can you use organic powdered turmeric, if so, how much???
Hi Rosie – Traditionally, this recipe calls for fresh turmeric, but I think ground versions should be okay! You will probably need about 1/2 cup ground turmeric. And then you can add as needed after taste testing.
I’m not sure why there’s boiling involved. There’s really no need for it. The ginger and turmeric infuse just fine without boiling. Boiling will kill some of the living enzymes and nutrients of the already powerful ginger, tumeric and honey combo. Ginger acts like a natural preserver so even if you don’t boil it, it would last in the fridge for up to a week! Living nutrients and healing properties have a better effect in the body. It will get stronger and spicier but there’s no real need to boil… Warm it up over the stove for a warm drink.
Hi Sherina – it’s traditional in Indonesian culture to boil the jamu, and that’s where I learned how to make it. :)
When do you add the pepper? It’s not in the directions.
Hi Rose – thanks for pointing that out! I just added it into the second step where you put everything into the blender :)
Thank you Lisa. I liked this recipe. I did find it very hard to strain though and it takes a lot of turmeric so considering the cost of fresh turmeric I’ll have to make it sparingly until I can grow my own. But I really like the taste of it and I love that it is a blast of nutritional goodness with anti inflammatory benefits. I strained it first and then put the honey in afterwards. Honey is quite sensitive to heat. Too much and your honey loses its beneficial nutritional/medicinal qualities. I’ll tell you what though. The color has some serious sticking power. I had to scrub my stainless steel knife with a scrubber to remove the stubborn orange stain! Still, great recipe. Thanks again.
Hi Rose – Fresh turmeric can be hard to come by, so you can also try using ground turmeric. As for the color, turmeric is definitely a staining ingredient, so you’ll need to be extra careful to wash things right away and scrub!
Absolutely delicious drink.
This drink has been used in Indian culture for generations.
I personally use Turmeric, Ginger, Black pepper. and Coconut water as natural healing elements from various ailments.
Was definitely hooked when I drank it in Bali! Now I’m happy to share the recipe with you all :)
What Coconut water do you use?
Hi Suzan – You can use any brand of coconut water in this recipe. I just look at the ingredient list to make sure there’s no added sugar.
After travelling Bali i was looking for this recipe.
I just wonder why you boil it to put it in the fridge after? Is there any advantage instead of not boilng?
Hi Sandy – Boiling it allows the flavors of the turmeric and ginger to infuse a bit more. Some parts of Bali boil it, and some don’t. So, either way works for this juice!
How much do you drink at one time?
Hi Alison – I would say about one small glass per day. I’ve also talked a little about this further down in the post :)
why there is a need to boil it ?
Hi Hanna – Boiling it allows the flavors to infuse a bit more. But you can also skip the boiling process if you’d like.
Please share this recipe on YouTube. Thanks
Hi Anita – I will be sure to keep this in mind :)
I love this recipe. I shared the drink with my Indonesian friend and she said its tastier than the one she drinks. She is planning to make this version.
Hi Latoya – Wow! Thrilled to hear even your Indonesian friend loved this version better :)
Kindly send me notifications on downshiftology.
Hi Edward – You should be able to subscribe to the notifications on the pop up on the website :) If you have problems, you can always reach out at lisab@downshiftology.com
I do this twice or three times a year for 27 days but I add some fresh orange juice instead of coconut because it’s too spicy for me. I am never sure if it is the juice or the placebo :)) but I always have a surge of energy when I am consistent with this annual routine!
Thanks for the recipe ( I’ll try those measurements )
Hi Viktoria – Looks like you’re already on top of it with this drink! It’s such a great immune booster :) Can’t wait for you to try this version.
can you use turmeric powder instead?
Hi Alison – Traditionally, this recipe calls for fresh turmeric, but I think ground versions should be okay! You will probably need about 1/2 cup ground turmeric. And then you can add as needed after taste testing.
I have made this every 5 days to keep on hand especially during this Corona Pandemic! My husband i I both take two shots during the day, it tastes fantastic! I also add the juice of three oranges for extra vitamin C! I will be using this recipe often…thank you so much!
Hi Charlene – Awesome! I’m so glad both you and your husband are enjoying this one while being quarantined! I love the addition of the orange juice too for extra Vitamin C.
Hi there, are there any substitute for the turmeric? Like Powder vs fresh?
Hi Wanda – Traditionally, this recipe calls for fresh turmeric, but I think ground versions should be okay! You will probably need about 1/2 cup ground turmeric. And then you can add as needed after taste testing.
I have a recipe for a turmeric tea which has identical ingredients but says dont let it boil as that damages the benefits. What do you think?
To the best of my knowledge, the benefits of the turmeric are just fine in this recipe. :)
Hello! I take turmeric and ginger shots that I purchase from the store. I would love to make this recipe. So that it’s fresh. So my question is what type of blender should I get when blending the fresh ginger and turmeric.? My basic blender I don’t think can blend those. Thank you
Hi Trena – As long as you have a high powered blender, you should be fine!
Hi Lisa,
I am from a tropical country where coconuts are in abundance and a part of our daily diet. But I have never heard of anyone boiling coconut water. I wasn’t sure what consistency it would come to after boiling and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. So I made this drink skipping the boiling step and it is still nice.
Hi there – It comes out the same consistency after boiled, but you can also use water instead :)
Can I used ground turmeric and ginger? How many cups of that would I need?
Hi Basma – Traditionally, this recipe calls for fresh turmeric and ginger, but I think ground versions should be okay! You will probably need about 1/2 cup ground turmeric and 1 tablespoon. And then you can add as needed after taste testing.
Add a pinch of black pepper.
Black pepper contains a constituent called piperine, which acts in the liver and helps to slow the breakdown of curcumin, leaving more available for the body to use. Confirmed by several studies, the bioavailability of curcumin has been shown to be significantly higher when combined with piperine. In fact, in one particular study in humans, it was observed that a dose of 2g curcumin with just 20 mg of piperine produced an astounding 2000% increase in bioavailability.
Hi Lisa!
Thank you so much for this timely recipe! I am sure it’s gonna change so many’s life and create a huge positive impact on our health and lifestyle, like your other recipes. Just two questions: 1) In a lot of drinks people like to add a few black pepper corns to boost the effects of turmeric (don’t know if there is any scientific backing to that), so do you think black pepper can be added here? 2) I’ve heard honey under high temp can lose its health benefits so can we add the honey (and maybe the lemon juice) at the end when the boiling is done?
Thank you so much again, and cheers for Health!
Hi Xuan – There is actually a pinch of black pepper in this recipe already as this helps break down the turmeric :) And as for the honey, you can add it in last when the boiling is done!
Hi – I’m excited to try this recipe. I didn’t see the pinch of black pepper in the recipe. Is it supposed to be added during the boiling section or after the drink has been filtered?
Can’t wait to make this soon! Thanks, Lisa.
Barb
Hi Barb -Thanks for letting me know! I just added them into the instructions :)
Lisa, can it be done using ginger and/or turmeric powder?
Cannot find fresh ginger in the stores! 🙄
Thanks,
Carolina
Hi Carolina – I haven’t tried this yet with ginger and turmeric powder, as this recipe normally requires fresh of both. But, you can probably do it! Just be mindful of the amounts in each one as you probably will have to alter it.
My husband and I loved this colorful, healthy, flavorful drink. We have company coming over tomorrow, so I’ll be making a second batch of this tasty beverage.
Hi Denay- This will be a perfect batch to whip up for guests!
I’ve never made Jamu juice but after reading through this I definitely think I’ll give it a bash!
Hi Chris – If you love ginger and turmeric, this is one you’ll love!
I’ve never heard of jamu juice, but now I can’t wait to make a batch. It sounds delicious as well as healthy.
Hi Colleen – This drink boasts tons of health benefits! And tastes amazing with the ginger and turmeric :)
Hi Lisa, as it is very difficult to find fresh turmeric in my surroundings, do you think I can use the powder as well?
Thank you in advance for your amazing work
Giulia
Hi Giulia – I’m sure you can try using the powder, but I am unsure of the amount needed as this drink traditionally uses fresh ginger and turmeric. If you do test it out with powdered, do let me know how much you ended up using! :) I would greatly appreciate it.
I wondered this too and found a similar recipe that called for 1 tablespoon powder in lieu of 80g fresh turmeric. This recipe calls for 125g so maybe 1.5 TB.
I’ve never heard of this before I would absolutely love to try it. The flavours sound incredible.
Hi Sisley – If you love ginger and turmeric spices, this will be a winning recipe for you! Plus, you can’t go wrong with all its benefits :)
High Lisa. When do you and the pepper?
This looks so delicious! Love how great this looks and such a great immune booster. Saving.
Hi Cate – Most definitely a drink that will boost your immunity :)