Immune Booster Drink Recipe (Wellness Immunity Shots) (2024)

Wellness immunity shots are a nutrient-packed, juice-based, delicious-tasting natural immune booster! Bookmark this recipe to keep on hand during cold and flu season.

Not only is this homemade juice blend completely loaded with nutrition, but it’s also delicious. The flavor is citrus-forward with a zing from fresh ginger, a slight tang from apple cider vinegar, and a little floral with sweet notes of honey.

Reading through the ingredient list for this immune booster drink you’ll notice that everything is a nutritional powerhouse. If there’s something you don’t like, or have a food sensitivity or food allergy to, simply omit it. Even with skipping one or two of the components, these wellness shots still pack a hefty punch.

What is an Immunity Drink?

Immunity shots in the form of fresh juice have been around for quite a while. Do you remember all the buzz about wheatgrass a while back? I’m not sure if that’s when it started, but those earthy-tasting, verdant green-colored, single gulp-sized elixirs definitely helped popularize wellness shots!

Gone are the days when you had to go to a juice bar, smoothie shop, or health food store to find an immunity shot. Now these little juice vials are mainstream. You can find them just about anywhere, even in regular grocery stores.

Wellness shots are concentrated cold-pressed juices that contain nutrient-rich components. They usually contain a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, such as ginger, turmeric, citrus, etc.

Do Immunity Shots Work?

If you’re wondering whether wellness shots are effective, that really is the million dollar question, isn’t it?!

The first thing to note is that wellness shots are not medicine and are not meant to replace medicine. Additionally, immunity juice shots are not meant to take place of a healthy, well-balanced diet. This drink is more of a preventative measure or supplement that you can incorporate into an overall healthy lifestyle.

However, immunity shots have several benefits.

The Benefits of Immunity Shots and Wellness Drinks

Immunity drink shots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Looking through the ingredient list, you can immediately notice that this drink is packed with fresh fruit and vegetables. And using a bunch of different ingredients means we’re increasing the variety of nutrients.

Yes, you could just eat food and get the same benefits.

But think about sitting down and eating everything in this juice blend.

An orange, half a lemon, some pineapple, a carrot, a two-inch knob of ginger, a one-inch piece of turmeric, a clove of raw garlic, a shot of apple cider vinegar, and a generous spoonful of honey. Not to mention, chewing on a bit of black pepper to help your body absorb the turmeric! Ugh!

When was the last time you sat down and ate everything on last list all at once? (If you’re like me, the answer to that is never, lol!)

Not only does ingesting all of that sound like an unpleasant task taste-wise (at least for some of the components), but it would take a long time to much your way through that list. By blending these ingredients into a wellness drink instead, it’s a lot more do-able. And it’s a much more pleasant experience!

You might be thinking I’ll just take a multivitamin and be done with it!, and that might be a fair assumption. I’m not a medical doctor to be able to say what method is more effective for getting vitamins. However, thinking about where my nutrition is coming from, I have a personal preference for vitamins from natural sources rather than lab-synthesized vitamins.

If you want to read more about whether wellness shots work, check out Women’s Health, Health Digest, Men’s Journal, Today, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Why Should I Make Wellness Shots Instead of Buying Them?

This is a very valid question! I have two reasons for you: 1) you can customize the drink to suit your personal tastes, and 2) it is much more cost-effective to make your own fresh juice!

Just to give you an idea of how much you’d pay for an immunity juice shot if you want to buy it premade, I Googled it. Here are the prices I found for a few different (randomly selected) brands per serving in January 2023:

• Verde Immunity Shot: $4.32 USD per 2 ounces (based on $51.84 per 12)
• Vive Organic Immunity Boost: $3.92 USD per 2 ounces (based on $46.99 per 12)
• Village Juicery Immunity Shot: $6 CAD per 2 ounces (based on the purchase of 1)

And that’s not even including the cost of shipping!

Think of how much money you’ll save if you want to incorporate immunity shots into your regular health routine.

The Best Immune Booster Drink Recipe

In developing this fresh juice blend, I did a lot of research on different nutrient-dense fruit and vegetables that help boost your immune system – and also taste great when combined!

The one stand-out ingredient that you might want to hold off on adding if you’re thinking this juice might not taste great is the raw garlic. You will definitely be able to taste it.

But for me, the health benefits of garlic (especially raw garlic) outweigh being able to taste it in this drink.

I’ll leave it up to you whether you decide to add garlic or not.

And I have a tip for you. If you like a sweet and savory salad dressing, you can mix this up for that purpose! Don't bother straining it; simply blend and use it to dress your salads instead of vinaigrette. Add a splash of good-quality oil, such as extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil, and add liberally to the salad of your choice.

Ingredients in the Best Immunity Shots

• Orange
• Lemon
• Pineapple
• Carrot
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• Honey (preferably raw, local honey)
• Black pepper
• Sea salt
• Filtered water

I know some of these ingredients might sound strange in a juice drink, but I promise they’re all there for a reason, namely the health benefits they bring! Let’s take a deeper look at the components…

Oranges

Oranges are a powerhouse of nutrition! They’re rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

For starters, oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is a strong antioxidant that’s necessary for a healthy immune system. They’re also a good source of vitamin A, which is important for good vision and healthy skin. Additionally, oranges contain B vitamins, such as folate (which is the naturally occurring form of B9) and B6.

Oranges also contain the minerals potassium (which is a crucial electrolyte) and calcium (which helps promote bone health).

And let’s not forget that oranges contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as flavonoids and carotenoids.

You can read more about the health benefits of oranges on the following websites:

• Very Well Fit
• Healthline
• Medical News Today
• Live Science

Lemons

Like oranges and other citrus fruit, lemons contain numerous health benefits.

Lemons are a great source of vitamin C, and additionally contain the minerals iron and potassium. They also provide folate and magnesium.

Lemon has been the source of many scientific studies, and has a ton of potential health benefits.

For example, vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that boost your immune system and may help prevent cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron better, which means that because lemons are a good source of this vitamin, they may help prevent anemia.

Also, the citric acid in lemon may help prevent kidney stones.

Additionally, lemon has antifungal and antibacterial properties!

Find out more about the nutrition of lemons on these sites:

• WebMD
• Everyday Health
• Healthline

Pineapple

Again with the vitamin C! Like oranges and lemons, pineapple is also a good source of vitamin C, which means it’s a great immune boosting food.

Pineapple also contains B vitamins, such as folate, thiamin, niacin, and B6. It provides beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant.

One of the really cool health benefits of pineapple is that it’s part of the bromeliad family. As such, pineapple contains a significant amount of bromelain, which has a whole host of unique health benefits.

Bromelain is able to dissolve mucus, and is used to treat bronchitis and sinusitis. It also contains proteolytic enzymes that break down proteins and help with digestion. But this is literally just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible properties of bromelain; you can read more about it on Science Direct.

Read more about the health benefits of pineapple on these websites:

• Cleveland Clinic
• Medical News Today
• Live Science

Carrot

Carrots are rich in beta carotene (hence the gorgeous color of orange carrots!), which is an antioxidant that the body converts to vitamin A. They’re also a good source of biotin and vitamin B6, as well as vitamin K and potassium.

Find out more about how healthy carrots are on these sites:

• WebMD
• Healthline
• Cleveland Clinic

Ginger

Ginger is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The amazing thing about ginger is that it is good for many things. It can help with nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, osteoarthritis (which is degeneration of the joints), blood sugar levels, and even menstrual pain!

Learn more about the incredible health benefits of ginger on these websites:

• Johns Hopkins
• Healthline
• Dr. Axe

Turmeric

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is a natural compound with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows that turmeric may be beneficial for inflammation, arthritis, depression, improving memory, preventing cancer, and fighting off viruses, to name just a few.

Read more about turmeric on the following sites:

• WebMD
• Johns Hopkins
• Healthline
• Cleveland Clinic

Garlic

Garlic is one of those things that’s always being touted as an incredible superfood, and for good reason. Did you know that it can help protect against illness like the common cold?! Amazing.

Garlic has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering properties. It’s shown health-promoting effects on diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoarthritis, to name just a few. Garlic also has inhibitory effects against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

Learn more about the incredible properties of garlic here:

• National Library of Medicine
• WebMD
• Medical News Today
• Healthline

Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar

Just to clarify, we’re talking about raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar here. You know, the vinegar with “the mother”, which is the cloudy stuff that floats around and settles on the bottom.

The interesting thing about apple cider vinegar is that its health benefits stem from the fact that it contains acetic acid, antioxidants, and natural probiotics. Apple cider vinegar may aid weight loss, help lower blood sugar, and assist in managing diabetes.

You can read more about the nutritional benefits of apple cider vinegar on these websites:

• Cleveland Clinic
• UChicago Medicine
• WebMD
• Healthline

Raw Local Honey

Raw local honey has the most health benefits, instead of processed honey you’d get at the grocery store. This is because most of the honey available at grocery stores is pasteurized, which ends up destroying many beneficial nutrients. And the reason why local honey is important is because it will help with allergens where you live.

Raw honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. It’s a strong antioxidant with antibacterial and antifungal properties, and it can promote wound healing.

Find out more about the incredible health benefits of raw local honey here:

• Healthline
• Medical News Today
• Farmers’ Almanac
• Mayo Clinic
• Livestrong

Black Pepper

We include black pepper in this juice recipe because it helps the body absorb turmeric better. Specifically, the piperine in black pepper increases curcumin’s bioavailability, which is the component of turmeric that’s known for its health benefits.

Read more about how black pepper helps turmeric absorption on these sites:

• UMass Chan Medical School
• Healthline

How to Make Immune Boosting Juice at Home

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients:

Get out the ingredients and prep them. Note that if you're using a regular blender (instead of a high speed blender) you will need to prepare the produce a little differently (see the Notes recipe card below for full instructions).

Step 2: Blend:

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and process until completely smooth.

Step 3: Strain:

Pour the juice through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, pushing the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.

How to Make Immunity Shots Without a High-Speed Blender

You don’t need a juicer or even a high-speed blender to make fresh cold-pressed juice!

Here is how to make this immune boosting juice in a regular blender or food processor:

1. Cut the peeled orange into 8 pieces.
2. Chop the peeled lemon half into 4 pieces.
3. Peel and shred the carrot.
4. Grate the ginger and turmeric.
5. Peel and mince the garlic.
6. Put everything into a regular blender or food processor, and process until it's as smooth as you can get it. Add additional water if needed.
7. Strain through a fine mesh sieve placed over a bowl to catch the juice. Use a spoon to push the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.

How to Store Immunity Shots

Immune boosting juice drinks last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store them in non-reactive containers, such as glass jars with airtight lids.

Can I Freeze Fresh Juice?

Yes! Like other types of fresh juice, you can freeze juice-based immunity shots and wellness shots.

Just remember that it’s best to drink fresh juice as soon as possible because it does lose some of its nutrition over time. But freezing fresh juice is a good way to preserve it.

Here’s how to freeze fresh juice:

1. Pour the juice shots into glass jars or containers, leaving about half an inch of headspace.
2. Place the jars in the freezer (with no lid on top) and freeze until solid. (The length of time this takes will depend on the size of your jars.)
3. Once frozen, put the lids on the jars and return to the freezer for up to 6 months.
4. Thaw the juice overnight in the fridge before drinking.

Immune Booster Drink FAQs

What Foods Boost Your Immune System?

If you’re looking for the best immune boosting foods, we use a bunch of them in this juice shot recipe!

Here are more immune boosting foods, in addition to the ones in this wellness shot recipe:

• Elderberry
• Mushrooms
• Sweet potato
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Salmon
• Grapefruit
• Bell peppers
• Blueberries
• Yogurt
• Almonds

You can read more about immune boosting foods on Medical News Today, WebMD, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic.

How Often Should I Drink a Wellness Shot?

This is a great question to ask your health care provider because the answer is likely to be based on your personal health goals and health history.

Remember, juice shots are not meant as a replacement for a balanced diet. However, they are rich with essential vitamins and antioxidants, and can be a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.

But remember there are other health considerations related to juice-based wellness shots, which is why I say this is a good question for your doctor. For example, if you’re diabetic, it’s important to know that these immunity shots, like juice in general, are high in sugar and low in fiber, and therefore likely to cause a spike in blood sugar.

How Much of This Do I Need to Drink?

You might be wondering how much of this juice you should drink to get the immune boosting effect you’re looking for. And that’s a great question; one of the biggest criticisms of juice shots is that they’re just too small to actually provide any real benefit!

The first thing to do is ask your doctor what will work best in your particular case with your specific medical history. And remember, this immune booster drink isn’t meant to replace a healthy meal plan.

With that being said, this recipe makes 3 cups of juice. I like to divide it into 2 (1.5-cup) servings and drink one the first day, and save half of it for the second day.

If you want to pour this fresh juice into little 2-ounce vials and drink them as shots, it’s a cute and kitschy way to serve them. However, just know that this amount may not have enough nutrition to elicit significant immune boosting effects.

More Nourishing Recipes for Cold and Flu Season

• Homemade Chicken Soup
• Cabbage Detox Soup
• Beet Detox Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
• An Old Palestinian Potato Home Remedy for Tummy Trouble

Let's Connect

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Disclaimer: Please note that I am NOT a doctor, medical practitioner, or nutritionist of any kind. Nothing in this post should be construed as medical or nutrition advice. The information about each ingredient in this soup was sourced from the pages that I linked to for each item; please head over to each page for more detailed information. If you need medical advice you should immediately seek a physician’s care.

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on January 29, 2023. It was updated with more information on January 15, 2024.