Jamu (Indonesian Turmeric Ginger Drink)

Jamu is traditional Indonesian medicine that uses natural ingredients such as roots, herbs and spices.

It has been practiced in Indonesia for centuries to maintain health and treat disease. While there are hundreds of combinations, this version is made with fresh turmeric, ginger, lime and honey.

As a visitor to Bali, Indonesia, I’ve experienced Jamu in a variety of ways, but this bright orange, turmeric-based Jamu seemed to be the most common.

I’ve seen it in markets, restaurants and hotels. I had the pleasure of staying in family run accommodations that offered cooking classes and tutorials on various Indonesian ingredients. There I learned more about this wonderfully invigorating drink.

Traveling around Bali for the next six weeks I couldn’t get enough of this drink and couldn’t wait to get home and try it. Whether you drink it for the health benefits or for the tangy, refreshing taste, you’ll always want to have a serving on hand.

How to make Jamu

Boil fresh turmeric and ginger in water to enhance extraction, then add the lime juice and honey before straining and cooling. I love the punchy flavor in this recipe, but you can also treat it as a concentrate and dilute with additional water if you like.

• It will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
• While this drink is typically served cold, you can also drink it as a hot tea.

How does Jamu taste?

The flavor of this Jamu recipe is deliciously strong. Turmeric gives it its spicy earthiness, ginger its spiciness, lime juice brings a certain tartness and honey rounds it off with a hint of sweetness.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a root of the ginger family, originally from South Asia. Underneath its thin brown skin, turmeric is a bright orange-yellow. It is this color that gives turmeric its distinctive hue to curry powder. And it colors! So be careful when handling it.

Turmeric is hailed for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, among other health benefits, thanks to a chemical compound it contains called curcumin.

Studies have shown that you can increase your intake of this compound by adding black pepper, which is why you often see them together. Feel free to add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper to your jamu!

• You can find fresh turmeric in the produce section of the grocery store or at any Asian, Indian, or health food store.
• Store turmeric in your refrigerator for a few weeks or in your freezer for several months.
• If using fresh turmeric, scrub off the dirt first. The skin is not usually eaten and can be scraped off with a paring knife or a spoon. If you strain it like in this recipe, there is no need to peel it first.

Swaps and Substitutions

If you don’t have honey or want to make the jamu vegan, use agave, maple syrup, or another sweetener of your choice. No Lime? Lemon will work just as well.

More delicious drink recipes!

• Golden coconut milk
• Wintery spiced orange mocktail
• How to Make Ginger Switchel
• Pear Ginger Bush
• Earl Gray tea and tonic
• Homemade Ginger Ale