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I was never really a ginger shot girl. Before two months ago, I had only ever had a few ginger shots in my life. Every now and then, I’d pick one up from Pret a Manger if I felt the tell-tale signs of a cold coming on. Or maybe, I’d grab one on the go if I felt particularly tired and needed more of a pick-me-up than my usual oat flat white could offer.
However, all of that changed a few months ago when, during a dive into the deepest parts of the internet, I found myself reading an interview with (famously energetic and peppy) Anna Kendrick from 2020 in Shape Magazine (honestly, don t ask me how I got there—I have no idea). “I am powered by ginger,” the actor said. “I keep wellness shots of ginger, lemon, and cayenne from Pressed Juicery in my fridge. If I’m traveling and I can’t have ginger, I’ll feel sick. There was a time when I was in Germany for three months and I couldn’t find a crushed juice place. So I bought a juicer and a bunch of ginger to make it myself because I was positive it was the only thing keeping me alive.”
I am not normally one to fall for hyperbolic celebrities gushing about their latest wellness hack. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but be seduced. After all, I was in rough shape—tired, constantly teetering at the edge of burnout, waking up with sniffles and a headache. Were Kendrick’s magic ginger shots really warding off illness and… keeping her alive? I wanted to be powered by ginger! (Honestly, I wanted to be powered by anything.) So, I started taking ginger shots, too.
It began with ordering Mojo shots in my weekly supermarket order. Then, when my partner realized what was happening, he insisted we could make them ourselves. (“Think of the plastic waste! Think of the cost of living crisis! Think of the preservatives!”)
At first, I was worried—surely a homemade ginger shot could never have the same zingy flavor and smooth texture of a store-bought one? However, I was wrong. He found a super simple three-ingredient recipe (thank you, BBC Good Food) that, once well-blended and strained, tasted—I’ll say it—even better.
And so my journey into ginger shots began. I made it my mission to head straight to the fridge and pour myself a 25 ml shot first thing every morning. Sometimes, I’d sip it slowly as I got to work. Other days, I’d knock it back like a tequila.
My experience with ginger shots
There’s something about a ginger shot that can immediately make you feel healthier. Whether it’s all in my head or not, I love the way one shot instantly clears out your sinuses. I won’t lie—a ginger shot can leave behind a fiery sensation in your mouth, throat, and nose, but… in a good way? Like your whole system has been blasted clear of—well—anything. I usually wake up feeling groggy and even a little bunged up. From the first shot, all of that changed.
Over the first week, I began to notice that I also felt more energized and less fatigued throughout the day. Usually, I hit a slump mid-afternoon. I was amazed by long the effects of one ginger shot lasted.
By the end of the first month, I felt kind of invincible. You have a cold? Don’t worry, I’m immune. Insomnia? Don’t worry, it doesn’t affect me! I even felt that my mood improved as a result of my increased energy levels.
To further validate my theory about the power of ginger shots, I present you with this piece of evidence: after about a month of religiously taking my daily ginger shot, I went to Canada on a three-week holiday. My partner and I were hopping around from place to place and, sadly, no blender and, by extension, no ginger shots. Interestingly, my energy dipped and the feeling of cleared-out sinus health slowly began to disappear. Ergo, ginger shots—a total game-changer.
What are the benefits of taking a daily ginger shot?
Ok, clearly, I am sold on ginger. But what does the science say?
I spoke to Brea Lofton, a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist at Lumen to find out.
First of all, what’s so great about ginger? “Ginger is considered an antioxidant and may be anti-inflammatory,” she says. “This may help support a healthy immune system.”
And apparently, it really can contribute to higher, more sustained energy levels. “Ginger can also help balance blood glucose levels, which can support sustained energy, reduce fatigue, and help with overall mood,” she says. “Blood glucose spikes and crashes can have negative impacts on energy levels throughout the day.”
So, how long does it take for the daily shot to really kick in, I ask her. “The effects of ginger in conjunction with a healthy diet can start helping blood glucose levels immediately, however, for sustained energy, mood, and immunity this is more of a ‘long game’,” she tells me. “You want to combine ginger shots with other healthful habits to best support your health long-term.”
Lofton does warn that ginger shots may not be suitable for everyone. “For generally healthy individuals, ginger shots should not have negative effects,” she says. “For those with health concerns such as diabetes, it is always best to consult with your medical professional.”
Lofton also recommends trying shots that are as natural as possible. She says: “If you do want to consume ginger shots, we recommend focusing on shots that are low in fruit juice or added sweetener as these can have negative impacts on blood glucose levels and can increase your intake of sugar.”
Make your own batch of ginger shots at home
While time-pressed ginger shotters can easily buy single shots or batches from most supermarkets, you can also make your own ginger shots at home—it’s cheaper, less wasteful, and fresher.
We used the BBC Good Food recipe. All you need is fresh ginger, fresh apple juice, a lemon, a blender or food processor, and a strainer. Match a batch every Sunday and store it in your fridge to have throughout the week. And voila! You too can be powered by ginger.