These homemade lemon turmeric wellness shots are my favorite way to keep a simple, feel-good routine without spending a small fortune.
They’re lemon-forward, balanced with sweet orange, and just spicy enough thanks to fresh ginger and turmeric. Best of all, they’re quick to make, made with whole ingredients, and easy to enjoy in small daily doses that actually taste good.
This recipe came out of wanting an easy, everyday way to enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric and the antioxidant benefits of ginger, without relying on supplements or extracts. They fit naturally into a simple wellness routine without feeling extreme or fussy.
The price of store-bought wellness shots adds up fast, and many of them use extremely concentrated extracts. I prefer sticking with whole foods, especially when it comes to turmeric and ginger. This recipe uses a reasonable amount of each root and blends everything together. It could not be easier.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Much more affordable than store-bought turmeric shots
- Made with whole turmeric and ginger, not powders or supplements
- Lemon-forward and bright with orange to balance the tartness
- Perfect for small, consistent daily servings
- Easy to work into a simple daily wellness routine
- Easy to make in a regular blender
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh lemons
- Fresh orange
- Whole turmeric root
- Whole ginger root
- Honey or preferred sweetener
- Water or coconut water
- Black pepper
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
Turmeric root
- Look for whole turmeric root near the ginger in the produce section.
- I strongly prefer fresh turmeric over powdered for flavor.
- Using whole root also keeps the curcumin amount reasonable and firmly food-based.
Curcumin is the naturally occurring compound in turmeric that’s most often associated with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger root
- Fresh ginger gives these shots their spicy kick.
- Powdered ginger will not give the same flavor or freshness.
Citrus
- Choose lemons and oranges that feel heavy for their size. That usually means more juice.
- These shots are lemon-forward, with orange added to soften the tartness.
Water or coconut water
- Filtered water works perfectly. A Brita water pitcher works great if you need a way to filter water.
- Coconut water is optional if you enjoy the flavor and electrolytes, but it does not add fat.
Honey
- Just a touch helps balance the acidity and spice.
- You can leave it out or swap in your favorite sweetener.
Black pepper
- Black pepper contains piperine, which helps support the absorption of curcumin from turmeric.
- I add a small pinch to each individual shot bottle rather than blending it in, so every shot gets a little.
Love citrus-forward wellness shots? You have to try my Orange Ginger Shots or Pineapple Ginger Shots. Both are bright, refreshing, and an easy way to start the day with naturally occurring vitamin C and antioxidants.
How to Make Lemon Turmeric Wellness Shots
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
- Peel the turmeric and ginger if it’s not organic. But be gentle; a lot of the good stuff lives right under the skin.
- Slice the turmeric and ginger to help your blender, unless you are using a high-speed blender.
- Juice the lemons and orange. Cut them around the equator, not end to end, for easier juicing. (You can use a handheld juicer. An expensive juice extractor is not necessary.)
- Add the citrus juice, water or coconut water, turmeric, ginger, and honey to your blender.
- Blend for about one minute until fully combined.
- Strain the mixture into a pitcher with a spout, then divide evenly into small glass bottles or glasses.
- Add a small pinch of black pepper to each individual shot.
- Refrigerate and shake before drinking.
Recipe Notes
- Any pulp that didn’t get strained out will settle. This is normal. Just shake before drinking.
- These shots keep well in the refrigerator for several days.
- I like storing them in 2-ounce glass bottles, but you can also keep them in a pitcher and pour into a small glass when ready to drink.
Equipment Notes
You do not need a fancy blender for this recipe. I often use my Ninja Nutri-Pro personal cup blender because it is lightweight and easy to clean. A high-speed blender like a Vitamix also works and does not require slicing the roots.
A Quick Disclaimer
I am not a medical professional. If you are pregnant, diabetic, have upcoming surgery, or have medical conditions, consult a healthcare provider before regularly consuming turmeric or ginger. Both can affect blood sugar, digestion, and blood clotting.
This is one reason I prefer using whole roots instead of supplements. Whole turmeric root contains only a small percentage of curcumin, while supplements can contain thousands of times more. This recipe uses the lowest commonly recommended daily amount of turmeric, spread across multiple shots.
Why I Strain These Shots
I don’t always strain my wellness shots. For example, my orange ginger shots use a relatively small amount of fresh ginger, so leaving the pulp in works just fine.
Turmeric is a little different. To get a meaningful amount of the beneficial compound curcumin from whole turmeric root, you need to use more of it. At that point, the amount of turmeric pulp can feel like a bit too much in a small shot.
For that reason, I prefer to strain these lemon turmeric shots for a smoother texture and a more pleasant drinking experience.
But it’s optional, and if you don’t mind a little pulp, you can absolutely leave it in. Just shake well before drinking.
How to Help Your Body Absorb Curcumin
Curcumin is fat-soluble, meaning it absorbs best when paired with fat.
You have two easy options:
- Enjoy your shot alongside foods with healthy fats
- Add a small amount of fat directly to the shot right before drinking
I personally eat a small handful of raw almonds or have avocado toast before taking my shot.
If you prefer adding fat directly, a small splash of coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, or high-fat milk works well. Add it right before drinking so it does not solidify in the fridge.
Black pepper also helps with absorption thanks to piperine. I add it to each bottle individually to make sure every shot gets some.
Prefer turmeric warm and cozy? My Golden Milk Turmeric Latte is a comforting way to enjoy turmeric in the evenings. It is smooth, warming, and perfect for winding down.
More Turmeric and Ginger Recipes to Try
- Orange Ginger Shots – Bright, citrusy, and packed with vitamin C. A refreshing wellness shot option.
- Pineapple Ginger Shots – Flavorful sweet-tart shots.
- Golden Milk Turmeric Latte – A warm, cozy way to enjoy turmeric, perfect for evenings.
- Homemade Turmeric Concentrate – A versatile base for hot or iced turmeric lattes.
- Homemade Turmeric Latte Powder Mix – A shelf-stable option for quick golden milk anytime.
- Pineapple Ginger Smoothie – Sweet, tropical, and naturally anti-inflammatory.
- Lemon Ginger Tea – Simple, soothing, and perfect for slow mornings or evenings.
Homemade Lemon Turmeric Wellness Shots
These homemade lemon turmeric shots are quick, simple, and made with real whole ingredients. They’re an easy way to enjoy turmeric and ginger at home as part of a simple daily wellness routine, without spending a lot on store-bought shots. Bright, fresh citrus gives them a lively flavor with just a kick of spice.
Ingredients
- 3 lemons, juiced (about 4 ounces)
- 1 orange juiced (about 3 ounces)
- 1 cup water or coconut water
- 12 grams fresh turmeric root, peeled and sliced
- 12 grams fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, divided equally between shots
Instructions
- Peel the turmeric and ginger if it's not organic. Wash it if not peeling. Slice if needed. (Slicing not needed for high-speed blender.)
- Juice the lemons and orange using a simple citrus juicer. (A juice extractor is not needed).
- Add citrus juice, water, turmeric, ginger, and honey to a blender.
- Blend for about one minute until smooth.
- Strain into a pitcher with a spout by pouring through a fine-mesh strainer, then divide evenly into 8 small bottles or glasses. (Or store in the pitcher and pour into a small juice glass daily.)
- Add a pinch of black pepper to each shot.
- Refrigerate and shake before drinking.
Notes
- Coconut water can replace plain water for flavor.
- Honey can be omitted or swapped for another sweetener.
- Eat something with healthy fat before taking shot (like handful of almonds or avocado toast), or add a teaspoon of fat (like olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, high-fat milk, or coconut milk) directly to the shot right before drinking if desired for better curcumin absorption.
Recommended Products
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Brita Large Water Filter Pitcher for Tap and Drinking Water, 10-Cup Capacity, Bright White
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