Jamu - Ginger, Turmeric and Lemon Tonic

Jamu is a health tonic which is comes from Indonesia, its popular among the health crowd for its antioxidant and inflammatory benefits.

Its a very strong shot if you have it that way, it is basically a very intense juice of ginger, turmeric and lemon. It wakes you up in the morning, its also very good with soda water, orange juice or my personal favourite gin and tonic.

Basically this my healthy way of drinking cocktails after work.

Tumeric contains curcumin which helps relieve aching muscles and joints, so I great after exercise, it also helps with digestion, and circulation. It helps the body to absorb curcumin if you have it with black pepper, so a little is added to make up for all the added benefits with your gin and tonic.

Ginger is anti fungal and high in antioxidants which helps reduce blood pressure, its great for your lungs and liver and boosts your immune system.

Together this is great for negating all the side effects for your immune boosting gin and tonics.

I have always enjoyed the reason for gin and tonics being invented was to get soldiers in the tropics to drink quinine to stop malaria, the beast way to get them to take it regularly was to create a daily cocktail.

So here is a great drink from the tropics to help your body and mind feel great.

You want find fresh turmeric and if its the market new season ginger, new season is a little brighter and less bitter, but it will still make a great juice.

It is a simple process to make, all you need is a blender and a pot and a sieve.

1 cup of turmeric washed and roughly chopped

1 tsp black peppercorns

1.5 cup of fresh ginger, washed and roughly chopped

1.25 ltr water

1/4 cup honey

1 cup lemon juice

1. Blend turmeric, ginger, pepper and water until makes a thick juice.

2. Place in a pot on the stove and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Strain through a sieve into another pot

4. Add lemon juice and honey bring to the boil,

5. Sieve again, place in a bottle and keep in the fridge

The final juice is very sour and spicy. It can have extra honey added to your taste, I tend to add it to orange juice or tonic water which is sweetened too.

I tend to have it for breakfast twice a week. Not much rhythm to gin and tonics, whenever, wherever..

Add a shot to your regular gin and tonic, no recipe required.

Live well and stay hydrated.