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.

What Is 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.

Nowadays, the most common form of Jamu is turmeric Jamu. This is an all natural, anti-inflammatory tonic that boasts tons of health and beauty benefits. And while the name sounds exotic, the ingredients are quite simple.

This recipe includes fresh turmeric and ginger, honey, a squeeze of lemon and coconut water. Yep, that’s it! But you’d be surprised at what this simple combination can do. From reducing inflammation, improving digestion, to enhancing immunity, this juice really does it all. And it’s no wonder why everyone in Bali is drinking this by the jar.

Jamu Juice Ingredients

Here’s a quick breakdown of the exact ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.

• Fresh Turmeric and Ginger: This is a turmeric-heavy drink with a little bit of ginger added. Unlike my ginger shot recipe that’s heavy on the ginger. And for both recipes, I do recommend fresh turmeric and ginger root versus for the best benefits, 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.

Things to keep in mind about some of these ingredients: 

• 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.
• Be mindful that turmeric can stain! So wash your blender and chopping board immediately after using.
• 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.

Benefits Of Turmeric And Ginger

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

Turmeric

There’s no doubt that turmeric spice has taken over our food industry lately. From lattes to hearty soups, there are many ways to take advantage of its benefits if used properly. So what are those exactly?

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 skin, 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.

1. 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 as well.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 This

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.

So when should you drink this? Well, there’s no solid time. This could be 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 1/2 cup) in between meals – just not during meals since it’s very strong in flavor.

If it’s too strong or spicy for you, you can always dilute it with a bit more water as well.

How Long Does This Last?

Jamu juice should last about 1 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.

• Turmeric Smoothie
• Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)
• Elderberry Tea
• Turmeric Tea