What is a Turmeric Shot?
Turmeric shot is a small serving of drink which has turmeric infused into it along with crushed black pepper and honey. Piperine, an alkaloid present in black pepper is said to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric. Honey is believed to enhance & build Ojas (vigor & radiance) in the body (as per Ayurveda). Optionally a few drops of high quality fat is added for better absorption of curcumin. Even more some lemon juice or orange juice & ginger can be added to enhance and balance out the flavors & taste. The health benefits of turmeric have been well recognized by ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. As of late, Western medicine has gotten on board as well, touting curcumin, the compound in turmeric that gives it its golden color, for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed that turmeric can help to relieve pain, as well as help fight depression, among many other benefits. With everything it has to offer, it is not surprising that it is a great addition to a healthy diet. More Similar RecipesTurmeric LatteTurmeric TeaTurmeric MilkGinger TeaTurmeric Rice
My Recipe
My basic turmeric shot recipe is based on Ayurveda and uses only 3 main ingredients – turmeric, black pepper and honey. Many ayurveda experts suggest consuming these ingredients regularly for the overall health. However you are free to use other ingredients like ginger, lemon juice or Orange Juice to boost the health benefits of the shot.
I share 2 ways to make your turmeric shots. One way is to make it with fresh turmeric root and the other is to use ground turmeric.
While the fresh turmeric is said to possess high amounts of curcumin, dried ground turmeric is a good alternate in the absence of fresh one. Making turmeric shot with ground spice is a breeze as you just mix the ingredients and serve it.
To use the fresh root, you either use a blender or a juicer on hand & is quite simple to make with the freshest and finest ingredients available.
Turmeric shots are easy, affordable and, above all, really beneficial to your health and well-being.
Benefits of turmeric shot include a healthy dose of antioxidants, improved digestion, a boost to the immune system, and a good amount of naturally occurring anti-inflammatories that have a favorable effect on the body’s overall well-being.
Why Homemade?
While turmeric shots are available at some grocery stores and specialty food markets, making them in your home kitchen enables you to ensure that you are getting the best quality ingredients that are at the peak of freshness. Beyond that, you can tailor the combination of honey, ginger and lemon or orange to your taste specifications so that you are making something that you look forward to each morning. You will save money by making them at home, as well. Overall, it is a great way, knowing you are giving your body a boost of curcumin that will deliver many health benefits.
How to make Turmeric Shots (Stepwise photos)
We start with fresh whole turmeric root which can be found in many grocery stores and specialty markets. If you are not able to get hold of the fresh turmeric, feel free to use the ground turmeric aka turmeric powder. After washing the root well and scrubbing it with a soft bristled brush, you should peel it with a spoon or a butter knife. Later slice it with a sharp knife. Optionally – If you do not prefer raw turmeric shots, add the slices to a small pot and boil them with half cup water. When the water reduces to half, turn off the heat and cool completely. After preparing the turmeric, simply add them to the bowl of a blender with water along with whole black peppercorns which help boost the absorption of curcumin. You can also add ginger if you like to include it. For the slow juicer: You can juice it in a slow juicer with some plain water, lemon juice or orange juice. You can also optionally add ginger. Make a smooth puree. Once it is pureed or juiced, simply strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to extract all of the juice. We prefer not to use the coarse turmeric fiber here. I stir it into curries, soups, smoothies, sambar or rasam. This goes very well in a banana shake or smoothie as well. This potent liquid is the base of the turmeric shot that has a lot to offer in itself. But the addition of a few more ingredients contribute additional benefits.
Make Turmeric Shots
Into each shot glass, add 1½ tablespoons slightly hot water (not very hot) & 2 tablespoons of liquid turmeric. Mix well. The temperature of your shot should be luke warm. Stir in 1 teaspoon honey until well combined. Consume it immediately. To use ground turmeric (powder), Stir together half teaspoon ground turmeric with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Add 1/8 pinch of crushed black pepper & 1 teaspoon honey. Mix very well and consume it. This is the basic turmeric shot. You may add 1 teaspoon lime juice or 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a few drops of healthy fats like cold pressed avocado oil or coconut oil, as per your choice. More details about the add-ins:
Lemon & Honey: With the addition of freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey these turmeric shots deliver a delightfully tart-yet-sweet flavor. If you want you may add orange juice instead of lemon juice, as much as you like. In India, for most ayurvedic remedies and drinks, we use lemon and honey but not oranges. Healthy Fats: Add either cold pressed avocado oil, coconut oil or an alternate fat which is key to enhancing the absorption of the curcumin.
I garnished the turmeric shots with black pepper. You don’t need to add any more while serving. Related Recipes
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this post should not be considered for treatment or cure of any disease. Please see the doctor for appropriate treatment. I have shared my personal experience along with our family recipe.
