Want more delicious, quick and easy recipes? Download my Ayurvedic recipe book here! 50+ healthy meals the whole family will love.
Start your day with a fiery kick of Ginger Turmeric Lemon Shots. With just a few simple ingredients and NO JUICER NEEDED this recipe couldn’t be easier (it only takes 5 minutes!).
As a tired new parent, I have considerably less time for food prep. It’s just not possible to get it all done anymore, so instead I’m looking for simple, quick, healthy options that I can prepare easily. Recently, I’ve been making a batch of these ginger turmeric lemon shots at the start of each week. I store it in the fridge and have a shot each morning as I prepare my breakfast.
While each of the ingredients are packed with benefits (see more below!), just starting my day with this one simple step helps me feel like I’ve done something good for myself before I spend the rest of the morning with baby! Here’s a little more on what you get in each shot:
Ginger: Fresh ginger is one of Ayurveda’s most loved herbs, both for its ability to improve digestive strength (agni) and for its anti-inflammatory action. It gives a lovely warming feel to this morning shot too! Make sure to opt for fresh and not dried ginger in this recipe.
Turmeric: Turmeric is best known as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Its powerful properties come from it’s active compound called curcumin. Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to support conditions such as arthritis, skin inflammation and digestive disorders.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is often touted as a miracle ingredient. While most of the claims have not been proven, some studies are showing it can help improve insulin sensitivity. In Ayurveda, its sour and pungent taste supports healthy digestion and regular elimination in both Kapha and Vata types.
Lemon: Rich in vitamin C, lemon is well known as a powerful antioxidant and a staple in any Ayurvedic diet! Lemons are ‘heating’ in Ayurveda while limes are considered ‘cooling.’ If you are a Pitta type, or live in a hot climate, try swapping out lemon for lime in this recipe!
Black Pepper: Black pepper is often used to stimulate sluggish digestion and relieve uncomfortable gas and bloating in Ayurveda – perfect for Vata and Kapha types! Black pepper also increases the absorption of turmeric by up to 2000%!
Apples: Personally, I add the apples mostly for the taste! A little sweetness goes a long way to balance out the other fiery, pungent and sour ingredients in this recipe. I use one apple in this recipe, but you can use a little more or less dependent on your taste. It also tastes great with an orange too!
Feel free to use fresh turmeric root instead of turmeric powder in this recipe. However, you should not replace the fresh ginger with ginger powder (it won’t be the same!). If you have a juicer, you can use that but a blender works just fine too. You can strain through a muslin cloth, fine sieve or a nut-milk bag. But be warned – anything that comes near turmeric will be stained! I store this in a jar in the fridge and it stays fresh for about a week.
This recipe makes just about enough for me and my husband for one week. Just cut the recipe in half if you are making it for yourself! One serving size is approximately 35ml or 1oz. These shots can be quite fiery, so start with this small serving size first before increasing.
Here’s What You Need
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Lemon
- Apple
- Apple cider vinegar
- Black pepper
If You Love Ginger Turmeric Lemon Shots, Try These Recipes Too!
Are You Going to Make Ginger Turmeric Lemon Shots?
If you make one of my recipes, I would love to know how it turns out! Make sure to leave a review in the comments section below. It means so much to me and helps others find my recipes too!
Also, make sure to follow @ayurvedawithrebecca on Instagram for more healthy, Ayurveda inspired recipes! Don’t forget to tag me in your creations too! You can also save this recipe for later by adding it to your recipe board on Pinterest.
Ginger Turmeric Lemon Shots
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger (chopped)
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 2 lemons (juiced)
- 1 apple (or peeled orange) (chopped)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blitz for 20-30 seconds
- Strain using a muslin cloth or fine sieve and store in a jar in the fridge
Notes
- One serving size is approximately 35ml or 1oz. These shots can be quite fiery, so start with this small serving size first before increasing
- This recipe makes just about enough for my husband and I for one week
- Cut the recipe in half if you are making it for yourself, or add an extra lemon & splash of water if you want a little more
- You can feel free to use fresh turmeric root instead of turmeric powder in this recipe
- However, you should not replace the fresh ginger with ginger powder (it won’t be the same!)
- If you have a juicer, you can use that instead but a blender works really well
- You can strain through a muslin cloth, fine sieve or a nutmilk bag – but be warned anything that comes near turmeric will be stained!
- I store this in a jar in the fridge and it stays fresh for about a week
Thanks for making a recipe with powdered turmeric. All the ones I found online have fresh turmeric and to be honest I didn’t want to mess up my countertops haha. Just made a three day batch with your ingredient list for me and my husband (makes 7 cups). I didn’t have the ability to juice an apple either so I just added 1/3 cup of more water (Alexa Sia there is 1/3 a cup of juice in one apple). I’m sure I’ll miss the yummy apple taste in the morning 😉
Thanks again!
Hi Michelle, thank you so much – I’m so glad to hear! And yes, the powdered turmeric definitely makes less of a mess 😝 I just add the apple to the blender with everything else but strain it through a cloth before storing in a jar. Hope you and your husband enjoy your morning shots!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. If I use fresh turmeric instead of powdered, how much should I use for the recipe? Also, will this help for weight loss?
Hi Diana! I would use about 3-4 tbsp of fresh ginger in place of the powdered! This recipe isn’t designed for weight loss, but it does work to stimulate your digestion in Ayurveda 🔥
I have been drinking this for the last 3 weeks. A taste of this is very sour,but I have gotten use to it. I look forward in drinking it but i drink it 2x daily. Great benefits.
Hi Karen! So glad to hear you’ve been enjoying this recipe! If it’s too sour for you, you can try without the apple cider vinegar and see if you prefer it 🧡
Made successfully, I had home grown ginger and tumeric, I found it acidic from the cider and lemon, heat from the ginger. I enjoyed it but the wife lit out.
Hi Alan! Great to hear you tried this recipe, and I love that you used your own homegrown ginger and turmeric! Yes the ACV can be a little intense 🔥 You can always omit this from the recipe if you prefer, or add an extra apple to add a bit more sweet taste!
How much a day should you take of this?
Hi Heather, I would start small – it can be quite strong! The suggested serving size is 1 small shot (approx 35 ml), but you could try starting with half of that and see how it feels for you before increasing. I hope this helps!
I just made this and add a tsp of cayenne pepper. Little more kick but from what I read cayenne pepper has some pretty good health benefits. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Kaylynn, so glad you’re enjoying this recipe! Cayenne pepper is particularly helpful for Kapha types! Just watch is doesn’t feel TOO heating for you 🙂 Enjoy!
Can’t wait to try this!
I’m sorry if I missed it somewhere but recipe says 12 servings, how many oz per serving?
Thanks!
Hi Sherlynn! So excited for you to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes for you 🔥 1 serving is approximately 35ml or 1oz (which is a small shot size). I would start with this amount, but you can always increase to 2oz if you like and make double the quantity! I hope this helps ✨
I have been drinking this concoction for 1 year now. I also put raw honey into it,1tsp. Helps with the sour taste. I needed something to control my stomach aches finding out im gluten intolerance. It has really helped me,and others.
So great to hear Karen! At the top of each recipe page, you will see dietary categories. If you click the purple ‘GF’ you can see all of the gluten free recipes on the site in one place 💛
Great recipe! I too add a bit of honey.
Any suggestions of what to do with the pulp left in the strainer?
Hi Carla! Thanks so much for letting me know you’re enjoying this recipe, and great addition including a little honey too! As for the pulp, usually with fruit pulp you can use it to make things like popsicles or add it to smoothies. I have not tried this, but I would imagine some extra sweetener would be needed as this recipe is quite sour and pungent!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I had been purchasing the shots for a bit for my immunity but it was burning a hole in my wallet and this recipe saved the day 🙂
Blessings to you!
Hi Deborah, I completely agree! These shots can cost more for 1 in a store than making a whole batch yourself at home. So glad you found the recipe and are enjoying it so far 🙂 Rebecca
Hi! Do I still at the water if I juice the ingredients?
*add
Hi Lauren! Personally I would still add some water so it’s not too concentrated/strong. You can experiment with the amount that tastes/feels best for you! Hope you enjoy the recipe ✨ Rebecca
Made this today it was good
Amazing ✨ I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know 💛
I made this today. It’s delicious. My husband would have liked even more kick! (But it was enough for me.)
I did not strain it, just whazzed it up really well in my Vitamix blender. It was fine.
So glad you enjoyed it Barbara! Not straining is perfectly fine too – you’ll be getting the extra benefits of retaining the fibre of the apple too! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and comment, it really means the world to me ✨
Just made this! Can’t wait to make this an addition to my mornings. I just got diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and I hope it helps with the inflammation! Tastes really good!
Hi Lauren, thanks so much for taking the time to comment and hope you enjoy this in the mornings! ✨
It came out amazing, I had fresh turmeric so I used it instead of powder. I made it for the week. Thank you for sharing your recipe!!
Hi Ximena! I’m so glad to hear the recipe worked so well for you 🧡 and fresh turmeric is such a great addition instead of powder! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed it ✨
Hi, definitely going to try this, when stored in the fridge for a week, is it better to warm or have it cold? thanks
Hi Sharon! Excited for you to try this recipe! In Ayurveda, technically we don’t want to be regularly drinking cold drinks, so the ideal situation is to take your shot out first thing in the morning and let it get a bit closer to room temperature. If you don’t have time for this though, don’t worry!
would it be ok to make a batch and freeze in ic cube trays?
Hi Aileen! Yes, absolutely you could do that – I find a batch lasts just about a week in the fridge, but you could certainly store for later use in ice-cube try in freezer! I hope you enjoy ✨
Just made a triple batch for the family👍🏻 Delicious!!
Amazing Patty! Such a great recipe to make in a larger batch – hope you all enjoy! 🧡
I have ginger powder and I am interested in knowing the difference from using fresh ginger.
Great question Janine! Fresh and dry ginger are actually quite different in Ayurveda. Dry ginger is far more heating so should generally be used in smaller quantities. Fresh ginger has a more warming effect and is generally suitable for most (whereas dry ginger can be too hot for some). I definitely recommend using fresh in this recipe 🔥
so yummyy !!
thanks for sharing this with us !!!
It’s such a great, simple recipe! I hope you love it ✨✨
I made too big of a batch and have been drinking it everyday for 2 weeks but the last week I didn’t open it and it became carbonated. I’m assuming it is now fermented? It almost has a kombucha, alcohol sour like taste to it now. Is this normal or should I dump it out?
Hi Carla! I would throw that batch away and make a fresh one. If you ever feel like you’ve made too much, or won’t get through your batch, you can also freeze some in a silicone ice-cube tray! I hope that helps, Rebecca ✨
Thank you for the prompt response Rebecca! That is a great idea. I’ll do that next time. However, I’m curious if it could contain healthy bacteria from becoming fermented/carbonated? I have never tried to make it myself but I see people make fermented ginger bug, fermented tumeric bug or kombucha and that it contains a lot of probiotics.
It’s possible! AVC does contain healthy bacteria, but not specifically probiotics like kefir/kombucha/yoghurt etc. I just can’t imagine it would taste all that good 😛 And you’re so welcome for the response! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment 💛
Hi there, Thanks for sharing this recipe! Would you recommend substituting coconut water for the water?
Hi Sarah! I haven’t tried this substitution myself, but you absolutely could use coconut water instead for some added benefits (and a little sweeter taste!)
Hi Rebecca
I’m about to make this and would like to know if you peel the orange first
Thank you.
Hi Sandra! Yes, you should peel the orange first! I will update the instructions to make that clear 🧡 thank you!