Lemon Ginger Shots

Homemade lemon ginger cayenne shots are an excellent way to boost your immune system. You only need a few simple ingredients and no juicer.

You can buy lemon ginger wellness shots at many health food stores and sometimes a local grocery store, which comes in handy if you’re traveling during flu season and need a little immune boost.

Other than that, I firmly believe in making your lemon ginger immunity shots at home.

It’s the first thing I do when I feel a cold coming on or when I need a little boost during the cold winter months. I also like to make a batch of orange carrot ginger juice.

Ingredients

• Fresh lemon juice – good source of vitamin C and antioxidant properties.
• Fresh ginger root – full of antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and gives it a spicy kick.   
• Cayenne pepper – helps break up congestion.

How to Make Lemon Ginger Shots

Step 1. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to a high-powered blender along with the roughly chopped ginger root (no need to peel it) and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Blend until smooth.

Step 2. Pour the lemon ginger juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp. Use the back of a spoon to press the pulp against the fine mesh strainer to get out as much juice as you can. Pour into small glasses or shot glasses and take it like a shot.

Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

How can you make these ginger lemon shots using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

• No fresh ginger root? – you can also use ginger juice.
• Add-ins – other fruit juices such as orange juice, lime juice, or pineapple juice, coconut water for electrolytes, or apple cider vinegar.

Variations

• Lemon ginger turmeric shots – add grated fresh turmeric root or ground turmeric powder as well as a little black pepper, which helps your body absorb the turmeric’s active ingredient (curcumin).
• Lemon ginger honey shots – add a squeeze of raw or manuka honey.

How to Store

Lemon ginger shots are best when made fresh. You can store them in an airtight container or jar for up to 5 days though.

They also freeze well. To do this, make a large batch and pour it into a silicone ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the lemon ginger cubes to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to use, pop them out into a cup, pour over hot water, and add a squeeze of raw honey for a soothing warm drink. This is particularly great for sore throats.

Helpful Tips

Need a quicker option? Add the juice of one lemon to a glass with about an inch of peeled and freshly grated ginger, and a pinch of cayenne. Give it a quick stir and shoot it back.

Have a sensitive stomach? I suggest taking a lemon ginger shot with food, otherwise, I find taking one on an empty stomach can cause an upset stomach.

More Nourishing Recipes

• Orange Carrot Ginger Juice
• Lemony White Bean Soup With Greens
• Coconut Chickpea Curry
• Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal