- Padma Lakshmi makes turmeric shots with citrus, ginger and honey at home.
- The shots provide vitamin C and anti-inflammatory compounds to support immunity.
- Turmeric shots are nutritious and refreshing, but they shouldn’t replace medical care.
Celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi is one of our favorite sources for delicious recipes and healthy tips, and her latest concoction is no exception. The host of Taste the Nation recently shared that she hasn’t been sick at all this winter, and she partly credits her go-to turmeric shots.
If you like to pick up immunity-supporting shots at the store or your local smoothie joint, Lakshmi’s recipe might just be for you. She credits the combination of vitamin C and anti-inflammatory ingredients in her shots with helping her stay well during cold and flu season, and best of all? The shots are easy to recreate in your own kitchen.
To make her shots, Padma starts with a whole orange. She recommends one navel orange, though she improvises a bit in her video, using a pair of clementines and some blood orange peel. She adds a whole lemon, seeds and peel included, and a “nice juicy knob of ginger—a big one,” she says. Next, throw in a knob of “nice, fresh turmeric,” which helps give the shot its vibrant color. Then Padma adds in 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
Lakshmi blends her ingredients with 2 cups of water, which helps make the juice less concentrated and bitter. After tasting her concoction, she adds a bit more honey to help with the flavor. Your final flavor may depend on how ripe and sweet your citrus is, so be sure to give it a taste and adjust the honey as needed.
Once the flavor is palatable, Padma strains the mixture and bottles it in empty, clean spice containers. The shots go right into the fridge, and she enjoys the juice as shots of about 1 ounce each, which she describes as “a big jolt” at the start of each morning. Lakshmi writes in the comments that people who are sensitive to acid may want to proceed with caution—these shots could result in an upset stomach. She also writes that you should never use the shot as a replacement for medicine and medical care when you’re sick, and we wholeheartedly agree.
If you’re under the weather, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider about the best treatment for you. But if you’d like to support your immune system with vitamin C and anti-inflammatory compounds, these shots can be a nice addition to a balanced diet. After all, turmeric, the bright orange spice that makes these shots so colorful, has some anti-inflammatory properties and may even help protect your brain health.
Plus, the citrus fruits in these shots are packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports immune defense. While there’s no guarantee that sipping on these shots will keep you cold- and flu-free all season long, they’re sure to brighten your morning and help you get the antioxidants your body needs to support a strong immune system.
Want to try some variations on these classic shots? We have a few to inspire you, including our Orange-Carrot Turmeric Ginger Shots and Pineapple-Ginger-Turmeric Shots. Since these recipes can help you shake up your turmeric shot routine, so you won’t get tired of your new morning drink.
