Boost your immune system naturally with these powerful Immunity Shots! Made with a potent blend of apple cider vinegar, fresh citrus, ginger, turmeric, and spicy jalapeños, this fiery elixir is perfect for fighting off colds or keeping your body strong year-round.
During the winter months, when colds and flu seem to be lurking around every corner, giving your immune system a natural boost is more important than ever. This Immunity Shot recipe is packed with powerhouse ingredients known for their health benefits that contribute to overall wellness.
Apple cider vinegar provides gut-friendly probiotics, while fresh lemon and orange deliver a dose of vitamin C to help fight off illness. Spicy jalapeños, onion, and garlic contain antimicrobial properties that can help ward off germs, and ginger and turmeric are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Horseradish root adds an extra kick, helping to clear sinuses and support respiratory health. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want to stay ahead of seasonal bugs, a daily shot of this fiery elixir gives you an immunity boost to help keep your immune system strong and ready to fight off whatever comes your way.
Try some of my other healthy fresh juice recipes including Carrot Orange Ginger Juice and Watermelon and Cucumber Juice.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make Immunity Shots:
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Choose an organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with “the mother” as it contains beneficial enzymes and probiotics. You can find it in the vinegar section of most grocery stores or health food stores.
- Honey – Local honey or Manuka honey offer the best immune support, but if you’re watching your sugar intake, a zero-sugar honey alternative (use code HEALTHYMOM for 10% off) works great too. Look for it in the baking aisle or natural sweeteners section.
- Yellow Onion – You’ll find them in the produce section, usually sold by the pound or in bags.
- Jalapeños – Fresh jalapeños are in the produce section, typically near other peppers.
- Oranges – Find them in the produce aisle, available year-round.
- Lemon – Look for fresh, firm lemons in the produce section.
- Garlic – Known for its powerful antimicrobial properties, garlic helps fight off infections naturally. You can find whole garlic bulbs in the produce section or pre-peeled options for convenience.
- Horseradish Root – Fresh horseradish root can be found in the produce section near the refrigerated herbs or root vegetables.
- Ginger Root – Use organic ginger when possible. Find it in the produce section, often near garlic and other fresh roots.
- Turmeric Root – Use organic turmeric when possible. Fresh turmeric root is available in many grocery stores, often near ginger root, but powdered turmeric is a great substitute if fresh isn’t available.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Immunity Shots
1. Rinse the skin on the oranges and lemon. Remove skin from the onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric and horseradish roots. chop stems off the jalapeños. Then chop everything into 1" chunks.
2. In a food processor, add the quartered onion, peeled ginger, peeled horseradish, peeled turmeric, garlic cloves, and jalapeños. Process until finely chopped. Add the quartered oranges and lemon to the food processor and pulse until they’re just chopped.
3. Transfer the chopped mixture to 2 quart glass jars, filling them halfway, then pour organic apple cider vinegar (with the mother) to the top. If you're using a metal lid, place parchment paper under the lid to prevent the vinegar from rusting.
4. Refrigerate the jar for 30 days, shaking it daily. After 30 days, strain the mixture, add honey if desired, and store the Immunity Shots in the fridge for up to 90 days. Drink 1 oz daily for prevention or up to 4 oz daily to help fight illness.
Hint: To get the most out of your Immunity Shots, try drinking them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to kickstart your immune system and boost your energy for the day!
Substitutions
Want to substitute an ingredient in Immunity Shots? Here's how:
- Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother): For a milder option, you can substitute with white vinegar, though it may lack some of the health benefits.
- Honey: If you prefer a sugar-free version, eliminate the honey or opt for a zero-sugar honey alternative (use code HEALTHYMOM for 10% off.)
- Yellow Onion: If you're not a fan of onion, you can substitute with shallots for a milder flavor.
- Jalapeños: If you prefer less heat, you can substitute with mild chili peppers or omit them entirely for a less spicy version.
- Oranges: Grapefruit or lemon could work as a substitute for a more citrusy flavor.
- Lemon: You can swap lemon for lime if you prefer a different citrus flavor.
- Garlic: If you don't like garlic, you could substitute with garlic powder or omit it, but it might lessen the potency.
- Horseradish Root: If you can't find horseradish, you could substitute with mustard or wasabi, although the flavor profile will change slightly.
- Ginger Root: You can substitute ginger with ground ginger if fresh ginger is not available, though the taste might be less vibrant.
- Turmeric Root: If you can’t find fresh turmeric, ground turmeric can be used as a substitute, just use about 1 teaspoon for each 1-inch piece of root.
Variations
Try one of these variations of Immunity Shots:
- Sugar-Free: To keep these shots completely sugar-free, use a sugar-free honey alternative (use code HEALTHYMOM for 10% off,) or omit the honey altogether for a tart and tangy shot.
- Mild: If you prefer a less spicy version, reduce or omit the jalapeños and use a smaller amount of horseradish. You can also add extra oranges or a bit more honey to balance out the heat.
- Extra Spicy: For those who love a kick, keep the jalapeños (or use spicier peppers like serrano or habanero), and increase the amount of horseradish. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra metabolism boost.
- Herbal: Add a sprig of fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the jar for an herbal infusion. These herbs contain natural antibacterial and antiviral properties to further strengthen the immune system.
- Gluten-Free: these immunity shots are naturally gluten-free.
Equipment
This equipment comes in handy when making Immunity Shots:
- Food Processor or Blender – Helps finely chop the ingredients, ensuring they release their beneficial compounds into the vinegar.
- Large Glass Jar with Lid – A quart-sized mason jar works well for fermenting the mixture. If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper under it to prevent rusting from the vinegar.
- Knife & Cutting Board – Essential for peeling and chopping the fresh ingredients before blending.
- Fine Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth – Used to strain out the solids after the fermentation process, leaving you with a smooth, concentrated immunity shot.
- Measuring Cup & Spoon – Helpful for adding the right amount of apple cider vinegar and optional honey.
Storage
Here's how to store Immunity Shots:
Once your immunity shots have been strained, transfer the liquid to a sealed glass jar and store it in the refrigerator. The vinegar acts as a natural preservative, allowing your immunity shots to stay fresh for up to 90 days. For best results, keep the jar tightly closed to maintain potency and prevent any strong aromas from affecting other foods in your fridge.
If you prefer to store smaller portions, you can divide the liquid into small glass bottles or even freeze it in ice cube trays for easy single-serving portions. Just thaw a cube in the fridge overnight when needed!
Top tip
For the best results, let your immunity shots ferment for the full 30 days to allow the ingredients to fully infuse and maximize their immune-boosting benefits. If you're in a hurry, you can strain and use them after two weeks, but the longer they sit, the more potent and flavorful they become!
FAQ
You can take 1 ounce daily as a preventative measure or up to 4 ounces daily if you're feeling under the weather.
Fresh ingredients provide the best flavor and potency, but in a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon of dried turmeric and ginger for every inch of fresh root.
It's best to use a glass jar, as vinegar can react with plastic over time and affect the taste and quality of your immunity shots.
Related
Looking for other drink recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
Serve an Immunity Defense Shot with one of these snacks:
Recipe
Immunity Shots
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 1 6" horseradish root
- 1 6" ginger root
- 1 6" turmeric root
- 2 jalapenos
- 2 orange
- 1 lemon
- 10 cloves garlic
- 4 cups apple cider vinegar with mother
- ¼ cup sugar-free honey (use code HEALTHYMOM for 10% off)
Instructions
- Rinse the skin on the oranges and lemon. Remove skin from the onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric and horseradish roots. chop stems off the jalapeños. Then chop everything into 1" chunks.
- In a food processor, add the quartered onion, peeled ginger, peeled horseradish, peeled turmeric, garlic cloves, and jalapeños. Process until finely chopped. Add the quartered oranges and lemon to the food processor and pulse until they’re just chopped.
- Transfer the chopped mixture to 2 quart glass jars, filling them halfway, then pour organic apple cider vinegar (with the mother) to the top. If you're using a metal lid, place parchment paper under the lid to prevent the vinegar from rusting.
- Refrigerate the jar for 30 days, shaking it daily. After 30 days, strain the mixture, add honey if desired, and store the Immunity Shots in the fridge for up to 90 days. Drink 1 oz daily for prevention or up to 4 oz daily to help fight illness.
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Shannon
A daily essential!