Golden Glow Shot – The Drinkable Jamu!

Ok so, I love my jamu. But it is INTENSE.

It’s fiery. It’s punchy. It wakes you up whether you’re ready or not. And while I genuinely love that bold, traditional kick, sometimes you don’t need intensity, you need consistency. That’s where this Golden Glow Shot comes in.

It’s inspired by traditional Indonesian jamu, but brightened with citrus and balanced with a touch of honey so it’s easier to drink regularly. You still get the warming ginger, earthy turmeric, and that classic jamu feeling… just in a more refreshing, everyday form.

And since Chinese New Year just passed, I’ve somehow accumulated an absurd number of oranges at home. They’re incredibly sweet right now, which made them perfect for adding natural sweetness and brightness to this drink.

So this isn’t traditional jamu — but it is built on the same ingredients, with a slightly more modern balance. Every ingredient here has a purpose.

Turmeric and ginger are rich in antioxidants and commonly associated with anti-inflammatory benefits, and we added a pinch of black pepper to help the body absorb turmeric’s active compounds more effectively. Of course, the boost in vitamin C for skin health and glow~

The result is a bright, citrusy wellness shot that’s warming, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to drink.

I thought this was an apt drink especially during Ramadan where, let’s be honest, your iftar meals tend to be richer, heavier, and eaten a little faster than usual. A shot like this can be a simple way to gently wake the digestive system back up.

Ready to glow a lot more easily? Let’s make some!

What Is This Drink?

This is a citrus-based ginger turmeric wellness shot inspired by traditional Indonesian jamu.

Traditional jamu can be very concentrated with strong, pungent turmeric. It’s powerful. But powerful doesn’t always mean sustainable.

This version:

• Keeps the key anti-inflammatory ingredients from traditional jamu (turmeric and ginger)
• Is naturally rich in antioxidants from turmeric, ginger, and citrus
• Softens the intensity so it’s easier to drink daily
• Can be served warm or chilled

Quick disclaimer: this isn’t detox/miracle cure/magic.

It’s simply a small daily habit that supports digestion — especially helpful after heavier meals.

Ginger and turmeric have long been used to support digestion and the body’s natural inflammatory balance. Citrus also brings vitamin C and added antioxidants, which support overall wellness and skin health.

When digestion feels smoother and bloating is reduced, you tend to feel lighter and less puffy = and that’s where that “golden glow” feeling comes from.

Key Ingredients (And Why They Matter)

• Oranges: Naturally sweet and rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports immune health and skin health, while also helping reduce oxidative stress. Perhaps more importantly, they make the drink more approachable than straight lemon shots.

• Lemon: Adds brightness and more acidic than oranges, to help “wake up” digestive juices. Lemons also contain compounds like limonene to give the drink a slightly different antioxidant boost. Removing excess pith keeps the flavour smooth and less bitter.

• Ginger: Traditionally used to support digestion and may help reduce bloating and nausea. It promotes more efficient gastric emptying, meaning food moves through your stomach more comfortably. It also contains antioxidants.

• Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s one of the key ingredients in traditional jamu and is often associated with supporting the body’s natural inflammatory balance.

• Black Pepper: Contains piperine, which enhances curcumin absorption, making turmeric significantly more effective in the body.

• Apple Cider Vinegar (Optional): Adds tang and may help support digestion and stomach acid balance in some people, though best used in small amounts and optional for sensitive stomachs. If using, it’s best to use vinegar with mother, for the fermentation-related benefits.

• Honey (Optional): Adds natural sweetness if your oranges are on the tart side. I rarely use it, but a little can soften the sharpness of ginger and lemon. It may offer a mild soothing effect for the throat and digestive tract, though for full health benefits, I’d much rather eat honey separately and on its own.

• Filtered Water: Dilutes the acidity so the drink is gentler on the stomach and easier to tolerate daily. Using filtered water also ensures a cleaner taste since there’s no cooking step to mask impurities. Alternatively, you can also use coconut water for electrolytes and a tastier drink.

1. Ingredient Prep (Very Important — No Cooking Involved)

Because this recipe isn’t cooked, proper prep makes all the difference in taste.

• Peel the oranges completely. Remove all peel and as much of the visible white pith as possible. Remove the seeds as well.

• Slice the skin off the lemon. Try to remove as much of the white pith as possible — this is where bitterness comes from. Remove the seeds.

• Wash and gently scrub the ginger and turmeric roots to clean off dirt. You can peel them for a smoother, milder taste, but it’s not necessary for this recipe because we’ll be blending and straining. Slice the ginger and turmeric into smaller pieces for easier blending.

• Measure out your black pepper.

Taking a few extra minutes here makes the final drink smoother and less bitter.

2. Blend

• Add oranges, lemon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and filtered water to a blender.

• If using, add vinegar and honey.

• Blend until completely smooth.

3. Strain

• Pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a measuring jug to remove the pulp and ginger and turmeric skin.

• Squeeze or press firmly on the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.

That’s it!

4. Store

• Transfer to a glass bottle and refrigerate.

OR

• Freeze!

The Freezer Ice Cube Hack (Make It Last Longer)

This is the game-changer.

Instead of storing everything in the fridge for just a few days:

• Pour the strained drink into ice cube trays.
• Freeze completely.
• You can leave the jamu in the trays or transfer cubes to a freezer-safe bag.

When ready to drink:

• Pop out 1–2 cubes.
• Add warm water for a soothing tonic.
• Or let thaw and drink as a concentrated shot.

This extends shelf life significantly and makes the habit effortless.

Storing Instructions

Fridge

• Store in an airtight glass bottle for up to 3 days.
• Shake before serving.

Freezer

Freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage. Transfer cubes to a sealed container once frozen.

To Serve from Frozen

• Add warm water (not boiling)

• Or thaw in the fridge overnight

• Or let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes

Avoid microwaving or boiling — high heat can degrade vitamin C and alter the flavor.