Ginger shots: store-bought picks and how to make your own

Ginger shots are a few sips of fresh ginger juice, sharpened with lemon and sometimes softened with orange. You can grab a fiery ginger shot from the fridge at either store, or make a week's worth at home with a blender, a lemon and a good knob of fresh ginger root.

What are ginger shots?

A ginger shot is a small, concentrated drink, usually 30 to 60 mL, made mostly from fresh ginger juice. Lemon juice adds brightness, orange juice or another fruit juice takes the edge off, and a lot of recipes add turmeric and a pinch of black pepper. It's meant to be drunk in one shot, or in a few sips if the heat catches you.

The taste is the whole point. Fresh ginger is hot, sharp and a little sweet, and a good shot hits the back of your throat and warms you right down. Some people keep a bottle in the fridge for the morning; others like one in the afternoon instead of a second coffee.

What do ginger shots do?

Let's keep this honest. Ginger has long been used to settle the stomach, and many people find a little fresh ginger feels good after a heavy meal or on a queasy morning. Lemon and orange bring vitamin C, which plays a part in normal immune function. That's the real case for a ginger shot: a fresh, fiery drink made from good ingredients.

You'll see a lot of big promises on wellness shots, from immunity support to anti inflammatory "cleanses." A ginger shot is a food, not a medicine. It won't cure a cold or replace anything your doctor has prescribed, and we'd rather you enjoy it for the flavour and the habit than for health benefits nobody can promise.

Drink a ginger shot because you like the kick. Anything else is a bonus.

Store-bought ginger shots we carry

If you'd rather not peel, blend and strain, a bottled shot is the easy route. Our go-to is the Greenhouse Fiery Ginger shot, from a Canadian company that started in a little Toronto coach house in 2014. It's a 60 mL bottle of fresh and fermented ginger, orange, ginger tea, lemon and turmeric, with citrus fibre, black pepper extract and oregano extract. Most of the ingredients are organic. It's fiery in the honest sense: the ginger hits first, then the turmeric and pepper linger.

GreenhouseFiery Ginger shot, 60 mLFresh and fermented ginger with orange, lemon, turmeric and black pepper extract. Shoot it or dilute it.Shop →

Shake the bottle gently before you open it. Unopened shots are fine at room temperature, but we keep ours in the fridge, and an open bottle should always go in the fridge. They're small enough for a bag or a carry-on (a 60 mL bottle is well under the liquid limit at airport security), which makes them a great travel companion.

Greenhouse also makes a Detox shot with organic ginger and turmeric juices, fermented ginseng, milk thistle and dandelion, blended with apple and lemon juice. It tastes of ginger and turmeric first, then finishes sweet and sour. Both shots come in glass bottles with a refundable deposit, so bring them back when they're empty.

Homemade or store-bought?

Both have a place in the fridge. Here's how they compare.

How to make ginger shots at home

Homemade ginger shots take a blender, a fine sieve or nut milk bag, and a few minutes. You don't need a juicer, though if you have one, use it. This recipe makes about six 60 mL shots. Organic ginger root has thin skin, so there's no need to peel it; just scrub it well.

1. Prep the ginger. Scrub the fresh ginger root and chop it into small pieces so the blender can handle it. Peel it only if the skin is thick or dry.
2. Squeeze the citrus. Juice the lemons and the orange. Pick out the seeds; the pulp can go in.
3. Blend. Put the ginger, lemon juice, orange juice and water in a blender and blend on high for about a minute, until it looks like a smooth, pale purée.
4. Strain. Pour it through a nut milk bag or a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth, and squeeze or press out every drop of ginger juice.
5. Taste and adjust. Add honey if you'd like it sweeter, or more orange juice if it's too fiery. We like Drizzle, a Canadian raw honey that founder Aja first bottled in her own kitchen. Stir well.
6. Bottle and chill. Pour into small glass bottles or a jar, seal and refrigerate. Shake before each shot, since it settles.

Recipe tips

No blender? Grate the ginger on a fine grater, then squeeze the pulp through a nut milk bag or a clean tea towel. It's slower, but it works. Got a juicer? Run the ginger through it, then mix the ginger juice with the lemon juice and orange juice. You'll get a cleaner, more intense shot.

Only have powdered ginger? Ground ginger stirred into lemon juice and warm water works in a pinch, about ½ teaspoon per shot. The flavour is warmer and flatter, so fresh ginger is worth the trip. Want it sweeter? Pineapple blends in well: swap the orange for a cup of fresh pineapple chunks. Making a large batch? Double everything and freeze half (see below).

Ginger turmeric shot (with black pepper)

This is the golden version, and the one most people picture. Make the base recipe above, and add these to the blender before you blend:

• Fresh turmeric: a 5 cm piece, chopped, or ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric.
• Black pepper: a small pinch. Black pepper is turmeric's classic partner in the kitchen, and a little goes a long way.
• Cayenne pepper (optional): a tiny pinch for a really fiery ginger shot. Start small; you can't take it out.

The turmeric adds an earthy, peppery note and turns the whole batch bright orange. If you use ground turmeric, stir or shake the bottle well before each shot, because the powder settles to the bottom. Our Simply Organic spices come from Frontier Co-op, a member-owned co-op that has been sourcing organic herbs and spices since 1976.

Storing homemade ginger shots

Fresh ginger shots have a short shelf life because there's nothing in them but juice. Keep them in sealed glass bottles in the fridge and drink them within about five days. The flavour fades and the juice separates the longer it sits, so give each bottle a good shake.

For longer storage, pour the juice into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Pop the cubes into a freezer bag, then thaw one or two in the fridge overnight, or drop a cube straight into hot water for a quick ginger drink. Fresh ginger root also freezes well whole, and you can grate it straight from frozen.

Other easy ways to get your ginger

A shot isn't the only way to enjoy ginger. If you want something gentler, or a longer drink, these are easy picks from our shelves.

For more on live-culture drinks, browse our kombucha shelf or read our kombucha guide. Our herbal tea guide has more ginger blends, and for cold season, see our guide to natural cough syrup and throat teas.

Are there downsides to ginger shots?

For most people, the main downside is the burn. Ginger is strong, and a concentrated shot on an empty stomach can feel like heartburn for some people. If that's you, have it with breakfast, dilute it in water, or use more orange juice in your homemade ginger shots.

Questions we get a lot

Is it safe to drink a ginger shot every day?

Many people enjoy one a day as part of their morning routine. A shot is a lot of ginger in a few sips, so if it feels too fiery, have it with breakfast or stir it into a glass of water.

Can I drink a turmeric and ginger shot every day?

Yes, lots of people make a ginger turmeric shot a daily habit. Shake the bottle before each one so the turmeric doesn't sit at the bottom, and add more orange juice if you'd like it gentler.

When is the best time to drink a ginger shot?

Whenever you like it. Many people have one in the morning to wake up; others prefer one after a meal. If an empty stomach makes it feel too fiery, have it with food.

Do ginger shots boost your immune system?

We won't promise that. The citrus in a ginger shot brings vitamin C, which plays a part in normal immune function, but a shot isn't a cold remedy. Sleep, good food and your doctor's advice matter far more.

Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh ginger?

Yes, in a pinch. Use about ½ teaspoon of ground ginger per shot, stirred into lemon juice and a little warm water. Fresh ginger gives more heat and a brighter taste.

Do I need to peel ginger for ginger shots?

Not if it's organic and fresh. Scrub it well and blend it skin and all. Peel any dry or woody spots with the edge of a spoon.

How long do homemade ginger shots last?

About five days in a sealed bottle in the fridge, or a few months frozen in ice cube trays.

Greenhouse ginger shots are in the drinks fridge, and fresh ginger, turmeric and citrus are in our always organic produce section at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. Read more about why our produce is all organic. For more on turmeric, from golden milk to curcumin, see our turmeric guide. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.

Sources: Greenhouse, Fiery Ginger; Greenhouse, About; Drizzle, Our Story; Frontier Co-op, About; product labels. This article is general information, not medical advice.