How to make a ginger shot at home (and when it’s worth buying)
Making ginger shots at home is possible, not difficult, and can be cheap. But it also takes effort, makes a mess of the kitchen, and doesn't last very long. In this article, we give you a simple recipe and, at the end, the honest costs so you can decide whether it's worth making or buying.
Ingredients (for about 8 60 ml shots)
- 100 g fresh ginger
- 4 oranges
- 2 lemons
- 1 piece of fresh turmeric (about 3 cm) or 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
Equipment
A juicer or juicer extractor is ideal. If you don't have one, a blender and a cloth strainer (or a nut milk bag) will also work. You will also need a citrus juicer and glass bottles with lids.
Step-by-step
- Wash the ginger and turmeric thoroughly. If they are organic, you don't need to peel them. If they are not, scrape the skin with a spoon.
- Juice the oranges and lemons. Set the juice aside.
- Extract the ginger and turmeric. In the juicer, pass the pieces through directly. In the blender, cut them into thin slices, add a little orange juice, and blend until liquid. Then strain and squeeze the cloth well to extract all the juice.
- Mix everything. Add the ginger and turmeric juice to the citrus juices, pepper, and honey. Stir until the honey dissolves.
- Taste and adjust. If it's too strong, add more orange. If you want it spicier, add more ginger.
- Bottle and store in the refrigerator.
Tips for success
- Be careful with turmeric. It stains everything: countertops, clothes, hands, and plastic. Use gloves if you like and wash the equipment immediately.
- Young ginger has less fiber and is easier to extract. Choose firm roots with thin, shiny skin.
- Start gently. If you have never drunk a ginger shot, make the first one with half the ginger. The spiciness of fresh ginger is surprising.
How long does it last?
A homemade shot, without preservatives and without any preservation process, should be drunk within 2 to 3 days, always stored in the refrigerator. After that, the flavor changes and the fruit begins to oxidize. Therefore, do not make large quantities at once. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw one dose at a time.
The costs: how much does it cost to make at home?
At normal supermarket prices, the ingredients for this recipe cost between €3 and €5, which comes to about 40 to 60 cents per shot. It is cheaper than buying, without a doubt.
But there is the rest of the cost:
- Time: between preparing, extracting, straining, and washing, it takes 30 to 45 minutes for each batch.
- Frequency: since it only lasts 2 to 3 days, you have to repeat the process two to three times a week if you want to take it every day.
- Equipment: a good juicer costs between €60 and €200.
- Consistency: each batch turns out differently, because it depends on the fruit you bought.
When it's worth making at home
- You like cooking and have time on the weekend.
- You already have a juicer.
- You take shots occasionally, not every day.
When it's worth buying
- You want to take it every day and don't want to think about it.
- You don't have time, or a kitchen full of turmeric is not for you.
- You want the same flavor in every bottle.
- You like to vary between several flavors during the week.
There is also a middle ground. Our 500 ml Reload brings about 8 shots in a bottle, with a dosing cup. It is the most economical option per dose and saves you all the work.
What we do differently
VitalShot shots are made in Portugal following the same logic as this recipe: squeezed orange and lemon, fresh ginger and turmeric, without preservatives and without apple juice to fill it up. The difference is that we make it in quantity, with control over each batch, and indicate the percentage of each ingredient on the label.
If you want to compare your homemade shot with ours, try the Immunity Shot. Then tell us which one you preferred. We deliver in 1 to 3 business days in mainland Portugal.
