Ginger shots are on everyone's lips! First the health-conscious showed us the way, now the wider public is being won over by these little drinks too. Have you missed the important info so far and are quietly wondering what is actually in these shots? Isn't it just a juice in a small bottle? No, but don't worry, we at frank. will fill you in!
On top of that, even with a nutrient-rich shot there's the big question: make it yourself or buy it? We give you tips on what to look out for and share frank. insider tips that make the shot really tasty.
What is a ginger shot?
Most people know shots in a rather unhealthy context: strong spirits served in small glasses at parties, everyone grabs a shot and everyone downs their glass in one go.
Alcoholic shots and our ginger shots are alike in two ways: they contain less than 100 ml or 100 g per serving and they are concentrated drinks. With both kinds of shot, you're meant to drink the whole serving in a single gulp.
Small, hot and fruity: unlike alcoholic shots, ginger shots consist simply of pressed or pureed ginger, lemon juice and ingredients to refine them, for example in our ginger shot Wake Up Call, turmeric, cayenne pepper and orange juice. That's why a good ginger shot is defined by tasting especially hot. There are ginger shots in organic or conventional quality, with fruity additions such as lemon or without. We at frank. care about especially high quality, which is why we use organic ginger, so our shots are organic certified too.
How does ginger work?
Ginger, known botanically as Zingiber officinale, is a plant whose root has been used for centuries in different cultures for different purposes. This versatile root has a wide range of potential effects on the human body, which many people value.
Spoiler: ginger shots probably won't make you more beautiful. Ginger is often used in cooking for its distinctive heat and pleasant aroma. Organic ginger doesn't differ from conventional ginger in how hot it is. When cooking, the rule is: the smaller you cut or chop a piece of ginger, the more intensely it releases its flavours! Its use goes beyond culinary applications, though. There are indications that ginger may interact to some extent with biological processes in the body, which could be of interest in certain situations. It is often used in various traditional healing systems.
Some people value the possible influence of ginger on their wellbeing and include it in their diet or food supplements. In certain situations too, for example when a cold is on its way, people often reach for a ginger shot. It's important to note that the effects of ginger on the human body can vary from person to person, and that the exact mechanisms behind its potential effects are not yet fully understood.
Overall, ginger is a fascinating plant that, thanks to its unique properties and flavour, has an important place in various aspects of human life. People have long explored different ways to benefit from this versatile root.
Why ginger shots?
Ginger shots are popular in many cultures and are often consumed for different reasons. They give you a way to enjoy ginger in an especially concentrated form, which many people appreciate.
Ginger shots are especially popular in the cooler months because of their functional characteristics. While fresh, high-quality ginger isn't available everywhere, you can easily have our ginger shots delivered straight to your door. Our ginger shots keep unrefrigerated, so they don't take up space in your fridge. For an extra fresh kick, we recommend putting the shot in the fridge half an hour or a night before you enjoy it.
You can build ginger shots into your routine! We love them in the morning, straight after getting up, to spring out of bed feeling lively and motivated - the heat gives you a special kick and you'll look forward to it every day, bet?
You can also have a shot during the day as a refreshing drink. Did you know the shots taste great in teas too? We recommend combining our Wake Up Call shot with green tea.
Which is better: fresh ginger tea or ginger shots?
Can't decide whether to drink fresh ginger tea or treat yourself to our ginger shots? Here's a little help!
Basically, the choice between ginger tea and a ginger shot depends on your personal tastes, needs and what you want it for. There is no clear "better" option, as both have their own pros and cons. Here's what we think:
Ginger tea has a milder taste than ginger shots and, depending on how it's prepared, can be pleasantly aromatic. It can be drunk hot or cold and combined with ingredients like lemon, orange, apple and agave to make the taste a bit more varied. Because ginger tea contains a larger amount of water, it's ideal if you find it hard to drink enough water.
Our ginger shots contain a higher concentration of organic ginger than ginger tea, which means they can also taste stronger and therefore hotter. They also contain different fruits and functional additions, such as fresh lemon, oranges and apple. Our ginger shots are with you a few days after you order, can be stored unrefrigerated and wait in their little glass bottles for you to simply drink them. You can easily take them with you, too!
Our tip: if you can't decide, go for the ginger shots! You can also easily make a ginger tea from a tea of your choice with a ginger shot. But you can't conjure a shot out of a ginger tea.
How many ginger shots a day?
The ideal number of ginger shots to drink per day depends on various factors, including your individual state of health, your tolerance and your personal preferences. There is no universal recommendation, as the amount can vary from person to person.
Keep in mind that, because of their concentration of ginger, ginger shots can taste intensely hot and can cause stomach problems if you overdo it, especially for people with a sensitive stomach. Did you know our shots have different levels of heat? Wake Up Call is our hottest, while Fast Lane is a little milder. Lavender Skies contains the least ginger.
Most people who are sold on ginger shots simply drink one shot every day. Others drink a shot now and then, for example when they feel a cold coming on.
Vitamin C in ginger shots: what it does for your immune system
In some ginger shots you'll find extra vitamin C on top of the ginger, turmeric and pepper. That's because the vitamins naturally present in fruit and veg are subject to natural fluctuations. If a manufacturer wants to explicitly advertise the vitamin C content, it has to make sure the exact vitamin C content in every shot exceeds the legal minimum levels. That's easier to do by adding extra vitamin C. This can come from natural sources, such as acerola pulp, or be made synthetically. This allows certain functions of the vitamin to be claimed. These nutrition and health claims are called health claims and are precisely defined by law.
Examples of health claims relating to vitamin C are:
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical exercise.
Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the nervous system
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system
frank. tip: our shots in the Lavender Skies flavour contain curry leaf extract as a natural source of iron. Do you know this important mineral? It contributes to normal cognitive function and to the normal function of the immune system, so it fits the ginger shot perfectly.
Is a ginger shot really healthy?
Ginger is valued in many cultures and has a long history of different uses. The ginger root has a unique aroma and a sharp note that make it a popular ingredient in the kitchen and beyond.
Ginger contains various natural compounds that can have a range of possible effects on the human body. People have long used ginger for different reasons that go beyond health or nutrition aspects. Ginger can be found in the culinary world, in traditional healing systems and at social gatherings. The versatility of ginger makes it a fascinating plant that is valued in many areas of life.
"Healthy" is also when you have something that makes you happy. Routines that enrich your day-to-day life contribute to your wellbeing.
How often should you drink a ginger shot?
There is no fixed rule for how often you should drink a ginger shot. Some people drink one every morning to start the day, others only when needed, for example with cold symptoms or tiredness. In general, how much you have also depends on the other ingredients that may be in the shot. It's important not to consume too much ginger at once, as its heat can cause digestive discomfort. A recommended daily dose is around 2 to 4 grams of fresh ginger or 0.25 to 1 gram of dried ginger.
Is a ginger turmeric shot the better ginger shot?
Hard to say! Both are spices widely used in the kitchen and in traditional medicine. They share quite a few features! Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) both belong to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and are botanically related. Both spices are obtained from the underground rhizomes of the plants. These rhizomes are the part of the plant used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Ginger and turmeric both have distinctive, aromatic flavours. Ginger has a sharp, spicy note, while turmeric has a slightly earthy, bitter note. Both ginger and turmeric are used in countless cuisines around the world to add flavour and spice to dishes. They are often used fresh, dried or as a ground spice. Both spices are used in various traditional healing systems, such as Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
So you see: ginger and turmeric aren't just similar in many ways, they also complement each other perfectly. If you try a ginger turmeric shot, it tastes more complex and more bitter than a pure ginger shot. We really like that! That's also why you'll find both roots together in our yellow shot Wake Up Call.
How do you make a ginger shot yourself?
All you need is fresh ginger, a lemon and, to taste, agave or another sweetener. Ginger sadly doesn't grow in your back garden, as it feels most at home in the tropics and subtropics. Within this climate zone, ginger is grown on almost every continent. By far the biggest producer is India, and the plant is also thought to originate somewhere around there. So the first step is to buy fresh ginger. Then you peel the root and cut it into small pieces. After that, it all goes quickly: cut and squeeze the lemon, put everything together in the blender until you have a liquid mixture. Then pour the mixture through a sieve or a cloth into a glass or a bottle. Now you can add 1 tsp of agave or another sweetener to taste and stir well - and your homemade ginger shot is ready. Chill it in the fridge and use it up within a few days. 200 ml of shot will last you 2-3 days.
If you like, you can also add oranges or apple to your shot alongside the lemons. If it's too thick for you, you can thin the shot out a little with water. Your imagination is the only limit here!
What are the pros and cons of shop-bought ginger shots?
Shop-bought ginger shots are handy if you don't have the time or the energy to make them yourself. They usually come ready portioned and often keep for longer than homemade shots.
Shop-bought ginger shots are a convenient way to enjoy the potential benefits of ginger, but they also come with some pros and cons. Here are some of the key points: shop-bought ginger shots are easy to get hold of and need no preparation. That makes them a practical option for people with a hectic lifestyle. Every ginger shot from frank. keeps unrefrigerated and is bottled in eco-friendly glass bottles. Handy for on the go, too! Shop-bought ginger shots offer a consistent dose and concentration of ginger, which makes it easy to take the amount you want. On top of that, frank. shots have a longer shelf life than fresh ginger, which makes them a practical option if you don't use ginger every day.
There are also downsides to shop-bought ginger shots. A bought shot is usually more expensive than fresh ginger. Some ginger shots can contain extra ingredients such as sugar or preservatives that fresh ginger doesn't have. It's important to check the ingredients list. We at frank. can give the all-clear there: with us you'll find shots without additives! In theory, the taste of shop-bought ginger shots can also differ from fresh ginger. With our shots, you can be sure they taste as if freshly made! Lots of shots come in environmentally harmful little plastic bottles. That's why we switched to glass bottles and are very happy with the high-quality solution. On top of that, you have to keep some ginger shots in the fridge all the time. That takes up a lot of space and you end up playing Tetris with your groceries.
