Description
A concentrated blend of fresh ginger and lemon, perfect for a quick immune boost, digestive aid, or refreshing shot. Customize with optional spices and sweeteners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ounces fresh ginger root, peeled and roughly chopped (approximately 115 grams)
- 4 medium lemons, preferably organic
- 1 cup (240 ml) filtered water
- 1–2 tablespoons honey (optional, or agave nectar/maple syrup for vegan)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric or 1 inch fresh turmeric root, peeled (optional)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and peel the ginger root. Roughly chop into smaller pieces.
- Wash the lemons. Zest two lemons, avoiding the white pith. Juice all four lemons, removing seeds.
- Combine chopped ginger with 1/2 cup of water in a blender. Blend on high until smooth.
- Juice the ginger according to the juicer’s instructions.
- Place a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander over a bowl. Pour the ginger mixture into the sieve and strain, pressing down on the pulp with a spoon or spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp.
- In a pitcher or jar, combine the strained ginger juice (or fresh ginger juice from the juicer), lemon juice, lemon zest, and the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Stir well to combine.
- If using honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup, add it to the mixture and stir until dissolved. Start with 1 tablespoon and taste, adding more to your preference. If using cayenne pepper, turmeric, and black pepper, add them now and stir well.
- Taste the ginger lemon concentrate and adjust the flavors to your liking. If it’s too strong, add more water. If it’s not sweet enough, add more honey or your sweetener of choice. If you want more of a ginger kick, you can add a little more fresh ginger juice.
- You can serve the ginger lemon concentrate as is, or dilute it further with water. I usually take about 2-3 tablespoons of the concentrate and mix it with 4-6 ounces of water for a refreshing shot. You can also add it to sparkling water for a fizzy drink.
- For the best flavor, serve the ginger lemon shots chilled. You can refrigerate the concentrate for at least 30 minutes before serving, or add ice to your individual shots.
- Garnish your shots with a lemon slice, a sprig of mint, or a small piece of candied ginger for an extra touch.
- Store the ginger lemon concentrate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5-7 days. The flavors may mellow slightly over time, but it will still be delicious.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the concentrate in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag or container. This way, you can easily grab a cube or two whenever you want a quick ginger lemon shot. Just thaw the cubes in the refrigerator or at room temperature before using.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Adjust sweetness and spice to your preference.
- Strain ginger pulp thoroughly if using a blender.
- Serve chilled.
- Experiment with variations like orange, grapefruit, mint, or pineapple.
- Consider adding apple cider vinegar or coconut water.
- Be mindful of spice levels if sensitive to heat.
- Store concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes