A Fresh, Spicy Homemade Wellness Shot

When I want something small, fresh, and full of flavor, I like making these lemon ginger turmeric wellness shots. They are quick to put together and don’t require a long list of ingredients. The combination of citrus, fresh ginger, turmeric, and black pepper makes every little shot bright, spicy, earthy, and pleasantly sharp.

These are not meant to taste like a sweet glass of orange juice. They have a much stronger flavor because the ingredients are concentrated into small servings. The orange adds just enough natural sweetness to balance the lemons, while the ginger and turmeric give the drink its distinctive character.

I can make these shots with a juicer, but I don’t need one to make the recipe. A blender works just as well as long as I strain the mixture afterward. That makes this recipe particularly handy when I want to prepare it at home without having to use a lot of kitchen equipment.

The entire process is straightforward. I prepare the fresh ingredients, extract or blend the juice, strain it if I’m using a blender, add the black pepper and optional oil, and pour it into small glasses.

What I Need to Make Them

The ingredient list is short, so the quality and freshness of the ingredients make a noticeable difference.

• Orange
• I start with 1 small orange.
• The orange gives the shots their natural sweetness and keeps the lemon from becoming overwhelmingly sour. Since the recipe also contains ginger and turmeric, the mild sweetness from the orange helps bring all the flavors together.
• If a sweeter flavor is preferred, the recipe allows for 1–2 more oranges. For a less sweet version, the orange can be omitted and another lemon can be added instead. For the recipe as written, though, I use one small orange.
• Lemons
• I use 2 small lemons.
• The lemon is what gives these shots their fresh, tangy flavor. Since the drink is concentrated, the acidity is noticeable, but that’s part of what makes these shots refreshing.
• If I’m using a juicer, I prepare the lemons according to the instructions for my particular machine. Some juicers recommend removing the peel before juicing citrus.
• Fresh Turmeric
• The recipe calls for 1/4 cup chopped fresh turmeric.
• Fresh turmeric gives the shots their beautiful golden color and earthy flavor. I chop it before adding it to the juicer or blender so that it is easier to process.
• The turmeric doesn’t have to be peeled. If I decide to peel it, I do so before chopping. Otherwise, I simply wash it well and chop it into smaller pieces.
• One thing worth remembering is that fresh turmeric can stain. Its bright yellow-orange color can quickly transfer to towels, cutting boards, containers, and other kitchen surfaces, so I clean everything after preparing the shots.
• Fresh Ginger
• I use 1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger.
• Ginger is responsible for much of the spicy bite in these wellness shots. Fresh ginger can be quite intense, especially when it is used in a concentrated drink, so I make sure the pieces are chopped before processing.
• Just like the turmeric, the ginger can be peeled or left unpeeled.
• Black Pepper
• I add 1/8 teaspoon fresh black pepper.
• It may seem like a very small amount, but black pepper has a strong flavor, particularly in a small serving. I prefer adding it after the juice has been extracted or blended so that I can stir it evenly through the drink.
• I can also add a little freshly cracked black pepper to the top just before serving.
• Optional Oil
• The recipe also includes 1/4 teaspoon oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, which is optional.
• I add it after preparing the juice if I decide to use it. A very small amount is enough, and it can be stirred directly into the finished mixture.

Getting Everything Ready

• Before I begin, I wash the orange, lemons, turmeric, and ginger.
• I chop the fresh turmeric and ginger into smaller pieces. This makes them easier for the juicer or blender to process and keeps the preparation quick.
• If I’m using a juicer, I check whether the machine requires citrus fruits to be peeled. If I’m using a blender, I squeeze the orange and lemons first rather than blending the whole fruit.
• I also get my small serving glasses ready. Since these are concentrated shots, small glasses are all I need.

Making the Shots With a Juicer

• Using a juicer is probably the quickest way to prepare these.
• First, I prepare the orange and lemons. If my juicer requires citrus to be peeled, I remove the outer peel before cutting the fruit into pieces that fit into the machine.
• I add the orange, lemons, chopped turmeric, and chopped ginger to the juicer.
• I let the machine extract the juice until all of the ingredients have been processed.
• The juice will have a bright golden-orange color, depending on the amount of turmeric and the color of the citrus. It should smell strongly of fresh ginger and citrus.
• Once the juice is ready, I pour it into a small container and stir in the 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.
• If I’m using the optional oil, I add the 1/4 teaspoon at this point as well.
• I give everything a good stir and then divide the juice between small glasses.

Making the Shots With a Blender

• The blender method is just as useful when I don’t have a juicer.
• I begin by adding the 1/4 cup chopped fresh turmeric and 1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger to a high-speed blender or small blender.
• Next, I squeeze the juice from the orange and both lemons directly into the blender.
• Adding the citrus juice instead of whole citrus fruits makes blending much easier. It also keeps the peel and most of the unwanted rind out of the mixture.
• I blend everything on high for about 30 seconds.
• At this stage, the mixture will be thick and pulpy. That’s expected because the blender breaks down the ginger and turmeric rather than separating their juice from the fiber.
• If the blender is having difficulty moving the ingredients around, I add a little water. I don’t add water automatically because the citrus juice usually gives the blender enough liquid to work properly.

Straining the Blender Mixture

• After blending, I strain the mixture to remove the remaining pulp.
• I can use a clean thin dish towel, a small fine-mesh strainer, or a nut milk bag.
• I pour the blended mixture through the strainer and allow the liquid to pass through. If necessary, I press the mixture gently to help release more juice.
• The strained juice will be much smoother and easier to drink.
• This is also the point where I take extra care with the turmeric. It can leave yellow stains, especially on light-colored fabric, so I avoid using a towel that I want to keep perfectly white.
• Once the liquid has been strained, I transfer it to a small container.

Adding the Pepper and Oil

• Now I add the 1/8 teaspoon fresh black pepper.
• I stir it well so the pepper is distributed throughout the juice rather than settling in one spot.
• If I’m using the optional 1/4 teaspoon oil, I add that too and stir again.
• The oil doesn’t need to be added in a large amount. Just the small quantity specified in the recipe is enough.
• For serving, I can finish the shots with a little freshly cracked black pepper if I want an extra spicy touch.

Pouring and Serving

• Once everything is mixed, I divide the juice between small serving glasses.
• These are concentrated wellness shots, so I don’t need a large glass. A small serving is enough.
• The first flavor is bright and citrusy from the orange and lemon. The ginger follows with a noticeable spicy warmth, while turmeric gives the drink an earthy quality. Black pepper adds another little burst of heat.
• Because the flavors are concentrated, these shots are best enjoyed slowly rather than treated like an ordinary fruit juice.
• I like serving them immediately after making them because that’s when the citrus tastes freshest and the ginger has its strongest aroma.

How to Adjust the Flavor

• The ingredient quantities in the recipe give the shots their intended balance, but there are a few simple ways to change the overall flavor if I’m making another batch.
• For a sweeter result, the recipe allows 1–2 additional oranges.
• For a sharper, more acidic drink, additional lemon can be used.
• For a less acidic and sweeter flavor, some of the lemon can be replaced with another orange.
• The ginger can also taste quite strong because the shots are concentrated. If I’m new to wellness shots, I may find the first sip surprisingly spicy. That’s normal for this combination.

Why Fresh Ingredients Work Well Here

• There isn’t much to hide behind in this recipe. Since it contains only a handful of ingredients, each one is easy to taste.
• Fresh citrus gives the shots their bright flavor.
• Fresh ginger provides the spicy heat.
• Fresh turmeric gives them their earthy taste and golden color.
• Black pepper brings a subtle peppery finish.
• Using fresh ingredients also means I don’t have to rely on a complicated preparation or a long ingredient list.

Making the Recipe With a Small Blender

• A small blender works particularly well for a recipe like this because the ingredient quantity is relatively small.
• I still make sure the turmeric and ginger are chopped into manageable pieces before blending. I then add the fresh citrus juice and blend until everything is thoroughly broken down.
• If the mixture seems too thick, I add a small amount of water.
• I don’t want to add more water than necessary because these are supposed to be concentrated shots. Too much water can make the flavor thin and dilute the citrus and ginger.
• After blending, I strain everything carefully.

Storing Leftovers

• These shots are best when they are fresh, but I don’t have to throw away any leftovers.
• I pour the remaining juice into a covered container and place it in the refrigerator.
• The recipe can be stored for up to 24 hours.
• Before serving refrigerated leftovers, I give the juice a good stir. Some of the ingredients may settle during storage, so mixing it again helps distribute everything evenly.
• For the best flavor, I still prefer drinking the shots shortly after preparing them.

Using the Leftover Pulp

• When I use a blender or juicer, there will usually be some ginger and turmeric pulp left behind.
• Instead of throwing it away, I can save it for another use.
• The pulp can be composted, or I can freeze it in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, the small portions are easy to add to smoothies later.
• I can also refrigerate the pulp and use it for steeping in another ginger or turmeric drink.
• If I freeze it, I prefer using small portions so that I don’t have to thaw more than I need.

A Few Things I Keep in Mind

• Fresh Turmeric Stains Easily
• The bright color is one of the nicest things about fresh turmeric, but it can also be messy. I clean the blender, knife, cutting board, and other utensils soon after preparing the recipe.
• Start Without Water
• When using a blender, I don’t add water right away. The orange and lemon juice generally provide enough liquid.
• If the blender needs help, I add a small amount of water and blend again.
• Strain Thoroughly
• If I want a smooth shot, I take a little extra time to strain the mixture. A fine-mesh strainer works well, while a nut milk bag or thin dish towel can remove even more of the pulp.
• Mix Before Serving
• Black pepper and other ingredients can settle. A quick stir before pouring makes sure each serving has an even flavor.
• Drink Fresh
• The flavor is best immediately after making the shots. If I have leftovers, I keep them covered in the refrigerator and use them within 24 hours.

The Finished Wellness Shots

• Once everything is blended, strained, and mixed, these little shots are ready to serve.
• They have a lively citrus flavor, a warm ginger bite, earthy turmeric, and a subtle peppery finish. The orange keeps the drink from becoming too sharp, while the lemon gives it the fresh acidity that makes the shot taste bright.
• The preparation is simple enough for an ordinary day, but these also make a nice addition to a breakfast spread or a small gathering when I want to serve something different from a traditional juice.
• The best part is that I don’t need complicated ingredients or an elaborate method. A few fresh ingredients, a juicer or blender, and a few minutes are enough to make a batch at home.
• Whether I use a juicer for a smoother process or a blender followed by straining, the result is a colorful, concentrated drink with plenty of fresh citrus and a strong ginger-turmeric flavor.
• I pour the finished mixture into small glasses, add a little fresh black pepper if desired, and serve it right away.