Bright citrus, warming ginger and fresh turmeric make these homemade wellness shots full of flavour. My method is simple: I peel the ingredients and put them through the juicer, then stir in black pepper and a little honey only if needed.
Jump to recipe Ingredient benefits · Storage tips
Why I Make Them at Home
Making a small batch lets me adjust the balance. Orange brings sweetness, lemon adds a sharp finish, and the roots give the juice its warmth and golden colour. There is no need to add honey if the oranges are already sweet enough.
What Are the Health Benefits?
The ingredients contribute nutrients and plant compounds, but the amount in each shot varies with your produce, juicer and serving size. Think of this as an enjoyable addition to a varied diet.
Orange and Lemon: Vitamin C
Citrus supplies vitamin C, which supports normal immune function, helps the body make collagen for skin and connective tissue, and improves absorption of iron from plant foods. A small shot does not guarantee your daily vitamin C needs or prevent colds. Read the NIH vitamin C fact sheet.
Ginger: More Than a Warming Flavour
Ginger has been studied for nausea, including pregnancy-related nausea. Much of that research uses supplements, so the results cannot be assumed for a little fresh ginger in juice. Here, its most predictable contribution is its lively, warming taste. Read NCCIH’s overview of ginger.
Turmeric and Black Pepper
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence is not strong enough to treat this homemade drink as a treatment. Black pepper contains piperine, which can increase curcumin absorption under studied conditions; a pinch in a recipe does not establish a particular health effect. Read about turmeric research and Johns Hopkins’ explanation of turmeric and pepper.
Honey is an optional sweetener and still counts as added sugar. These shots are food, rather than a detox, weight-loss remedy or substitute for medical care.
Orange, Ginger and Turmeric Wellness Shots
Preparation: 10–15 minutes
Yield: One small batch; the amount depends on your fruit and juicer.
Equipment: Juicer, jug, spoon and clean storage containers.
These suggested small-batch quantities are a starting point. Adjust the ginger and turmeric to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 3 medium oranges
- 1 lemon
- 15–20 g fresh ginger
- About 10 g fresh turmeric root
- A small pinch of ground black pepper
- 1–2 teaspoons honey, only if needed
- Drinking water, optional, to dilute individual servings
Method
- Wash and peel. Wash the produce, peel the oranges, lemon, ginger and fresh turmeric, and remove visible citrus seeds. Cut everything to fit your juicer.
- Juice the ingredients. Put the peeled citrus, ginger and fresh turmeric through the juicer, following your machine’s instructions. Alternating pieces of citrus with the roots can help move them through.
- Add black pepper. Stir a small pinch into the finished juice.
- Sweeten only if needed. Taste first, then stir in a little honey if you want a gentler finish. If it is too strong, dilute your serving with drinking water.
- Serve or refrigerate promptly. Pour a small serving and keep the rest cold in clean containers. Shake or stir before serving because natural separation is normal.
No Fresh Turmeric?
Use ¼–½ teaspoon turmeric powder as a starting point. Mix it with a spoonful of the finished juice to make a smooth paste, then stir it into the batch. Add powder after juicing; do not put it through the juicer. It may settle, so shake before pouring.
Storage and Serving Tips
Clean your juicer and containers well, and refrigerate the juice promptly at 4°C/40°F or below. It is fresh, unpasteurized juice; lemon does not make it shelf-stable. Make a small batch to enjoy fresh or over the next day or two, or freeze promptly in suitable containers, leaving room for expansion. Follow the container manufacturer’s freezing guidance and thaw in the refrigerator.
For general preparation and refrigeration guidance, see FoodSafety.gov’s four steps to food safety.
A Simple Homemade Ritual
The appeal of these shots is their fresh flavour and the freedom to make them your way. Keep the ginger gentle or give it more warmth, leave the honey out or add a little, and choose the texture you enjoy.
Start with a small batch and note your favourite proportions so your next one is easy to repeat.
For an easy breakfast alongside your drink, try my carrot cake overnight oats or carrot, oat and raisin pancakes.