Ginger shot vs orange juice: the differences

Orange juice at breakfast is a classic in Portugal. The ginger shot is newer, but more and more people drink it in the morning. At first glance, they seem similar: they are both fruit juices, and they both usually contain orange. But there are important differences. Let's compare them honestly.

1. The serving size

This is the most obvious difference. A glass of orange juice usually contains between 200 and 250 ml. A ginger shot contains between 30 and 60 ml, or about a quarter of a glass.

This changes everything else: the amount of sugar, the calories, and even when you drink it. Juice accompanies a meal. A shot is a quick gulp.

2. Sugar

Natural orange juice has no added sugar, but it contains the sugar naturally found in the fruit: about 8 to 10 g per 100 ml. A 250 ml glass can contain more than 20 g of natural sugar, the equivalent of four or five sugar cubes.

In a 60 ml shot, even if it contains orange and honey, the total amount of sugar is much lower, simply because the serving size is smaller. If you are trying to reduce your sugar intake, this is something to consider. Always read the nutritional table on the label to compare.

3. Fibre

Neither one wins here. When you squeeze an orange, most of the fibre remains in the pulp. The same happens with a ginger shot. If you want fibre, the best option is still to eat the whole fruit. A juice or a shot does not replace fruit; it complements it.

4. Taste

Orange juice is sweet, smooth, and easy to drink. Almost everyone likes it.

A ginger shot is intense. Fresh ginger has a spiciness that you can feel in your throat, lemon brings acidity, and turmeric adds an earthy touch. It is not meant to be sipped: it is one gulp, one grimace, and one smile. Some people love it from day one, while others need a week to get used to it.

5. Ingredients

Orange juice has one ingredient: orange. A ginger shot usually combines several: ginger, orange, lemon, turmeric, black pepper, honey, or acerola. It is a way to combine roots and fruits that you would hardly eat in the morning any other way. Who eats a spoonful of raw ginger for breakfast?

6. Vitamin C

Oranges are known for vitamin C, and for good reason. A glass of natural orange juice is a good source of vitamin C. A ginger shot with orange, lemon, and acerola can also be, in a much smaller serving.

Our Immunity Ginger Shot is a source of vitamin C, which contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and to the protection of cells against unwanted oxidation.

7. Price

Squeezing oranges at home is cheap, especially in season. A bottle of orange juice from the supermarket is also affordable. A ready-to-drink ginger shot is more expensive per millilitre because fresh ginger is expensive and yields very little juice, and because it is made in small batches.

If you want to reduce the cost per serving, larger formats help. Our 500 ml Reload brings about 8 shots in a bottle and is the most economical way to have a shot every day.

So, which one to choose?

It doesn't have to be one or the other. But, simply put:

• Choose orange juice if you like a smooth taste, if it is a moment to savour at the table, and if sugar does not worry you.
• Choose a ginger shot if you want a small and intense serving, with several ingredients, less total sugar, and a quick morning routine.
• Combine the two if the spiciness is too much for you: mix the shot into a glass of orange juice. It becomes smoother, and you still get the ginger.

Experience the difference

VitalShot shots are made in Lisbon with freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice, fresh ginger, and fresh turmeric, without preservatives and without apple juice filler. Start with the Immunity Shot or choose several flavours in the Create Your Package. We deliver in 1 to 3 business days in mainland Portugal.