Jamu Juice (Turmeric Ginger Drink)

Jamu juice is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink that keeps your body refreshed and balanced. It’s a simple blend of fresh turmeric, ginger, lemon, water, and sweetened with a bit of honey. Serve it chilled or warmed up for the perfect immunity booster this season.

Why You’ll Love Jamu Juice

It wasn’t until my trip to Indonesia that I discovered one of Bali’s hidden gem—Jamu juice! Traditionally, Jamu is an Indonesian medicine made from natural ingredients including roots, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits. But nowadays, the most common form of Jamu is turmeric Jamu. Here’s why you’ll love this magical elixir as much as I do!

It’s naturally healing. Similar to my ginger shots and turmeric tea, the combination of turmeric and ginger in Jamu make it an anti-inflammatory tonic that boasts tons of health benefits. From reducing inflammation, to improving digestion, and enhancing immunity, this juice really does it all.
It’s easy to make. While the name sounds exotic, the recipe is quite simple—there’s just 5 ingredients! But you’ll be surprised at what this simple combination can do. It’s no wonder why everyone in Bali is drinking this by the jar regularly.

Turmeric and ginger chopped on a cutting board.

Jamu Juice Ingredients

Turmeric and Ginger: This is a turmeric-heavy drink with a little bit of ginger added. I do recommend fresh turmeric and ginger root for the best flavor, though I have some substitutions listed in the recipe card below.
Coconut Water: I’m using coconut water for a hydrating and replenishing drink. Make sure to look for a brand with no added sugar.
Lemon: The juice of one lemon gives a good dose of vitamin C and helps to balance the flavors in the drink.
Honey: Just a little bit of honey adds a touch of natural sweetness.
Black Pepper: A pinch of black pepper helps to increase the bioavailability of the curcumin in the turmeric.

Benefits Of Turmeric And Ginger

Turmeric and ginger are the main ingredients in this recipe—and for good reason.

Turmeric

Turmeric is most known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. And this is all thanks to its star compound: curcumin. This compound not only leads to health benefits for your body, but can assist with visible signs of aging.

Ginger

Ginger has been used in many cultures around the world for its medicinal properties. From relieving pain to soothing your digestive system, it does wonders when it comes to healing the body. And just like turmeric, ginger has a compound called gingerol which reduces inflammation, pain for chronic conditions, and so much more.

How To Make Jamu Juice

This refreshing juice comes together in just 4 easy steps. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Slice. Grab your fresh turmeric and ginger and slice it into thin pieces. Feel free to leave the skin on, but you can also peel it.

Blend. Add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and water to a high-powered blender. Then blend for about 1 minute until it’s completely smooth.

Boil. Pour the mixture into a pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, then add the lemon juice and honey. Give everything a good stir.

Strain. Using a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag, or cloth, strain the mixture and pour it into a glass bottle to refrigerate.

When And How To Drink Jamu

Typically Jamu juice is served chilled straight out of the fridge or over ice. But you can also warm it up a bit if you’re in a colder environment. It’s also a great option to drink first thing in the morning to prime your digestion. Or you can have a small glass (serving size is about a ½ cup) in between meals. If it’s too strong or spicy for you, you can always dilute it with a bit more water as well.

Storage

Jamu juice should last for about a week in the fridge. Just make sure to store it in an airtight jar and give it a good stir or shake before serving.

More Anti-Inflammatory Drink Recipes

Looking for ways to boost your immune system? Try to include these recipes throughout your weeknight meals.

If you make this Jamu recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.

Description

Jamu is an Indonesian natural remedy that blends fresh turmeric and ginger for the perfect anti-inflammatory drink. Watch how I make it in the video below!

Slice. Slice the turmeric and ginger into thin disks. Feel free to leave the skin on if it’s been thoroughly washed.
Blend. Add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper and coconut water into a blender. Blend on high speed for about a minute, until it’s a smooth mixture.
Boil. Pour the mixture into a pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Then add the lemon juice and honey, and give everything a good stir.
Strain and enjoy. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag or muslin cloth. Then pour into a glass bottle or jar and refrigerate. Enjoy chilled or warm.

If you like my storage containers, they’re these juice jars and glass bottle.
While I think this recipe is best with fresh turmeric, you can always try it with powdered turmeric. Usually ⅓ cup of powdered turmeric equals 1 cup of fresh turmeric.
You can peel or not peel the turmeric and ginger, it’s up to you. But if you do keep the skin on make sure to rinse and clean your fresh turmeric and ginger very well with hot water.
For the liquid base, you can use regular water instead of coconut water. But I’ve chosen to use coconut water to add extra electrolytes.
Be mindful that turmeric can stain! So wash your blender and chopping board immediately after using.

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This recipe was originally posted March 2020, but updated to include new information for your benefit!