Make A Ginger Shot and Kick Your Winter Cold to the Curb

Over the course of many raw, gray New York winters, I’ve made countless trips to the local juice shop for potent, golden “wellness shots” made from natural cold-fighters. The pilgrimage marks a first line of defense against a tickle in my throat or a last-ditch effort to ward off sickness when I get so congested that the world starts to tilt sideways. There’s a reason why lemon and ginger are popular cure-alls for colds—they’re head-clearing, warming, potent, and comforting. And though shelling out six dollars for one teeny, burning one-ounce gulp is better than spending the next week feeling fuzzy-headed and stuffed-up, even thinking about spending that much on one mouthful of juice makes me queasy. Last winter, I decided I was going to break up with the juice shop and make the darn shots myself.

I loaded a blender with a couple chopped-up, three-inch branches of unpeeled fresh ginger, a few nubs of fresh turmeric, and the fruit of two lemons and two big navel oranges (that is, I slice away the skin and pith but toss the whole fruit in so I can get every drop of juice). I also added a pinch of kosher salt (for taste), a few cracks of black pepper (to help along turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties), and a pinch of cayenne (for punch, and to tell the germs who’s boss). I whirled everything together until frothy and deeply golden, about a minute, then pressed the juice through a fine-mesh strainer and into an ice cube tray for later use. (Conveniently, most standard trays make 12 one-ounce cubes.) The resulting liquid is spicy and bright, good-tasting but intense enough to make you believe that you’re taking your medicine.

The above is a loose framework—fiddle with it to your liking. The ginger and lemon feel non-negotiable, at least to me; they’re such classic cold-fighters, and ginger’s walloping heat is just what I want when I’m under the weather. But swap a grapefruit for the oranges, if you like. Add a clove of garlic if you’re feeling truly crazy, or drip in some oregano oil—both ingredients are harsh but beloved for their purported immune-boosting properties. This is a time I’d really recommend buying organic, fresh turmeric and ginger—just give them a rinse and then you can toss them into your blender, peel and all. If you can’t find organic, opt for peeling by gently scraping away the skin with the edge of a spoon. And if you can’t find fresh turmeric, use a teaspoon of powdered turmeric.

For six dollars or less, you can make at least a dozen of these fiery shots (more if you’re pro-pulp and want to skip the straining). Once they’re frozen, pop them out of the ice cube tray and stash them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. I like to add one to a glass of seltzer or a mug of just-boiled water whenever I need the boost. Of course, if you’re feeling bold, you can let a cube melt and then knock it back on its own, maybe chasing it with a little spoonful of honey as an incentive. You just might find yourself breaking up with the juice shop too.