Turmeric Shots

These tiny but mighty turmeric shots pack a punch of flavor and health benefits in just a few sips.

If you’ve been following along my healthy living journey for a while, you know that anti-inflammatory foods have been a big part of that journey for a long time. (Related: 5 Anti-Inflammatory Foods I Eat Everyday)  When I started dealing with some arthritis in my fingers, years ago, I dug into research in what I could do to alleviate the joint pain. In that search I discovered the power of eating an anti-inflammatory diet and was amazed at the results when I starting eating that way.

Since then, I’ve published two cookbooks that feature anti-inflammatory foods, including Anti-Inflammatory Drinks for Health and I Love My Instant Pot Anti-Inflammatory Diet Recipe Book.

This recipe is another one in my quest to find new ways to incorporate powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients into my diet on the regular. I love Golden Milk Turmeric Tea, but I wanted a new way to get turmeric incorporate turmeric into my diet. Enter Turmeric Shots!

These Turmeric Shots are the perfect way to incorporate more anti-inflammatory ingredients into your day. We are using fresh turmeric in these and it packs a powerful punch! You’ve got to try this immune booster out–it’s something that could be an important part of your daily wellness routine.

Ingredients for Turmeric Shots

You only need 3 basic ingredients to make these turmeric shots. These are some powerful, healthy ingredients!

Fresh Turmeric Root

Turmeric has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties due to its active ingredient, curcumin.

Studies show that turmeric is a great antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and pain. Oh, it also helps treat skin conditions, digestion issues, and even cancer. Western medicine uses turmeric to help fight depression.

We will be using three pieces of fresh turmeric for this recipe.

I have been able to find the fresh root at Whole Foods. You can look at your local health food store.  Fresh is needed for this recipe, not ground turmeric or powdered turmeric.

Fresh Oranges

We need four large navel oranges for this recipe. Oranges will add a pleasant, sweet taste to the shots.

Oranges are loaded with vitamin C. They also have some traces of Thiamin and Folate. These two are essential for a healthy metabolism.

Vitamin C is the fairy godmother for a healthy immune system. It improves your body’s ability to fight off bacteria and viruses. Together with turmeric, it’ll make a winning team against those flu symptoms. Also, say goodbye to iron deficiency.

If it’s not an orange season, you can always opt for fresh lemon juice. Lemons have a high vitamin C content and are a great substitute for oranges.

Pineapple juice will also work here if you’d prefer a sweeter shot. Use about 1/2 a fresh pineapple for this recipe if you’d like to substitute pineapple for the orange.

Black Pepper

Wondering why on earth did I pick black pepper for this recipe? Well, there’s an answer to that.

Pepper has an active compound called piperine. The magical piperine enhances the absorption of turmeric. So, when we use them together, they become more effective.

We will only use half a teaspoon of black pepper here. Don’t overdo it – that’ll make the shot too spicy.

Wait, there’s more. Black pepper is a powerful antioxidant with amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. It benefits your brain, keeps your blood sugar in control, and helps with digestion.

Method 1 – Turmeric Shots in a Blender

Now that we have all the basic ingredients ready, let’s start mixing!

1. Wash the turmeric root like your regular veggies – through and through. Also, peel those juicy balls of Vitamin C – the oranges.
2. Now, cut the root and oranges into smaller pieces and put them in your trusty high-speed blender.
3. Remove the leftover pulp by straining your orange and turmeric juice shot through a fine mesh sieve. A nut milk bag will work too.
4. Pour your juice into an airtight jar, sprinkle pepper, and shake like a boss.

There, all done! Wasn’t that quick?

Method 2 – Turmeric Shots in a Juicer

I prefer to use my juicer for the turmeric shots. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Peel and segment your oranges and scrub your turmeric root off any dirt. Cut the root into pieces appropriate for your juicer. 
2. Run both (one at a time) through the juicer.
3. Once the the ingredients are all juiced, you can strain the liquid again through a fine-mesh sieve (optional).
4. Transfer the liquid to a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
5. Now sprinkle black pepper and give it a nice shake.
6. Enjoy!

Variations and Add-Ins

Yep, you can tweak the original version to make one that works well for you. Here are some ways you can make it tastier and more potent.

Bring in Ginger

Give your wellness shot recipe additional benefits by adding ginger! Fresh ginger root is a great addition to this already fantastic shot. It adds a nice, fiery taste to the drink and makes your immune system stronger.

Ginger is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal. It helps improve digestion and reduce nausea.

If you use ginger root, don’t forget to peel it before putting it in the blender. Also, enjoy your ginger turmeric shots on an empty stomach for maximum benefits.

Add Some Organic Coconut Water

Coconut water has natural electrolytes and minerals. Our bodies really need those goodies. Mix it with your turmeric-orange shot to make the most of hydration.

You can also add a teaspoon of honey or agave nectar to sweeten the deal. Even maple syrup or dates would do a great job.

Mix Some Healthy Fats

We aren’t adding things “just because.” Each of these add-ins has some epic benefits that you never thought of before. Healthy fats like cold-pressed coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil can help you better absorb turmeric. Add a teaspoon of oil for maximum absorption.

Tips and Tricks

• Turmeric stains are stubborn. If you’d like to avoid staining your hands, wear gloves when you’re dealing with fresh turmeric root.
• You can remove turmeric stains with two parts of hot water and one part of apple cider vinegar.
• Use an airtight jar to store your turmeric shots – that’ll prevent oxidation and help them last longer.
• Use silicon ice cube trays to freeze your shots and enjoy cold turmeric shots whenever you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Times a Day Can You Drink Turmeric Shots?

Once a day is good enough. I wouldn’t recommend gulping more than two ounces of it. Turmeric is a blood thinner and too much turmeric can cause digestive issues.

What’s the Best Time of the Day to Have a Turmeric Shot?

The best time to take this spicy-sweet shot is in the morning. It’ll give you an instant energy boost. Trust me; you’ll see the difference. If you want to reap the fat-burning benefits of turmeric, drink the potion on an empty stomach. Otherwise, between meals is good too. It’ll help increase absorption.

How to Store the Shots?

You can pour leftover juice into ice cube trays and freeze them. It’s easy to pop out a cube when you’re in the mood for a shot.

You can also store your juice in an airtight glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator.

Depending on your juicer, it’ll only stay fresh for up to five days, so don’t make too much at one time.

How do the Turmeric Shots taste?

Let’s be honest–this isn’t a dessert recipe! There’s a little bit of a bitter flavor to this shot, and the pepper gives it a little kick. The orange mellows everything out a little, but it’s not the tastiest drink you’ll ever consume. That’s one reason we are downing shots and not sipping it as juice. 😉

I hope you and your whole family like the taste of this immunity booster. Even if you don’t love the flavor, you’ll love the benefits! If you give it a try, don’t forget to tell me how it turned out. Give a star rating below and share your photos on Instagram! Tag me and I’ll feature you!

Happy, healthy living, guys! Scroll below the recipe card for more ideas to incorporate fresh juicing into your routine.

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