LEMON GINGER TURMERIC WELLNESS SHOTS

When considering what type of beverage to share for New Year’s Eve celebrations this year, my mind initially went to mocktails. They’re fruity and booze-free—what’s not to love? Well, if I’m honest, I’m not a huge mocktail fan.

Then I thought, “What would be something I’d actually be excited to drink if walking into a NYE party?” Answer: Healthy shots. Call me a grandma, I don’t care. That’s how I roll these days.

Are you with me? If yes, let’s get our anti-inflammatory on.

Fresh orange, turmeric, ginger, lemon and black pepper for making homemade wellness shots

This 5-ingredient, 5-minute shot starts with a juicer. However, if you don’t own a juicer fear not. You can easily blend your ingredients in a blender and strain for a similar effect!

Showing how to use a juicer to make Turmeric Wellness Shots

Lately I’ve been gravitating toward juice with a high vitamin C content, seeing as it’s flu season. And I’m also always looking for ways to get more turmeric, ginger, and lemon into my system. Why, you ask?

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which boasts amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. (source)

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that’s known to aid digestion and relieve nausea. (source)

Lemon is naturally detoxifying and alkalizing in the body, aids in healthy bowel movements, and boasts plenty of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. (source)

And black pepper helps boost the absorption of turmeric by up to 2,000%. Yes, 2,000! (source)

Pouring a batch of our Turmeric Wellness Shots recipe from a measuring glass into drinking glasses

Once your juice has been extracted, it’s time to add that magical black pepper to the mix and throw one (or two) back.

Adding black pepper to our Turmeric Wellness Shots to boost its healing properties

We hope you LOVE these shots! They’re:

Citrusy
Spicy
Anti-inflammatory
Vitamin C-rich
Immune-boosting
& Super tasty

If you’re into these flavors, I know you’ll love these wellness shots! However, if you’re looking for similar benefits with a less intense bite (the ginger can be intense!), try our 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk or 3-Ingredient Turmeric Tonic instead.

If you’re looking for more NYE beverage inspo, check out our Pear and Cranberry Champagne Cocktails, Orange-Infused Whiskey Gingers, Easy Traditional White Sangria, or our fan favorite Easy Traditional Red Sangria!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

Turmeric Wellness Shots on a cutting board ready to drink for a healthy boost

NOTE: Updates made to improve blender method 1/2/19

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

1 small orange (add 1-2 more oranges for added sweetness / omit and add another lemon for less sweetness!)
2 small lemons (add 1-2 more lemons for more acidity / reduce by half and add another orange for less acidity!)
1/4 cup chopped fresh turmeric (peeling optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger (peeling optional)
1/8 tsp fresh black pepper
1/4 tsp oil (such as extra virgin, optional / to help improve turmeric absorption)

Instructions

JUICER: To a juicer, add orange, lemon, turmeric, and ginger (depending on the juicer, you may need to peel the orange and lemon – our Hurom does recommend peeling before juicing, so that’s what we did).
BLENDER: Add turmeric and ginger to a high-speed blender or small blender. We prefer the Nutribullet. Then add the juice of the orange and the lemons (this helps the mixture blend easier, and removes the pulp/rind). A juicing tool like this or this can help! Blend on high for 30 seconds.
Add a little water if it has trouble blending but you shouldn’t need any. Then strain through a clean thin dish towel, small fine mesh strainer, or nut milk bag. Just be aware that turmeric can stain.
FOR SERVING: Divide between serving glasses and enjoy! For maximum benefits, enjoy immediately and top with fresh cracked black pepper. One commenter also recommended adding a little fat to improve turmeric absorption, such as olive oil!
FOR STORING: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 24 hours (though best when fresh).
LEFTOVER PULP: You can compost any leftover pulp or freeze into an ice cube try and add to future smoothies. Or, refrigerate and use to steep in things like my Ginger Turmeric Tonic!