When crafted with the right ingredients and added to a consistent wellness routine, immunity shots can be a helpful source of nutrients that support the immune system.Major grocery stores now offer a wide array of store-bought immunity shots, but not every bottle is effective, and we consulted registered dietitians to find out which products they recommend.These five picks feature short ingredient lists and functional components.
With cold weather lingering and spring rains starting, there’s no shortage of illness this time of year, and if you’re pulling out all the stops to stay healthy, welcome to the club.
Prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, and eating a balanced diet all make a difference, but what if you could give your immune system extra support with a few quick sips of a tasty beverage? That’s what store-bought immunity shots aim to accomplish.
“An immunity shot is a small, concentrated beverage packed with functional ingredients like ginger, turmeric, citrus, probiotics, and antioxidants,” explains Samantha Peterson, RD, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Simply Wellness. “They work best as supportive tools — not emergency fixes — so while many people reach for immunity shots at the first sign of a sniffle, they can be useful as part of a consistent wellness routine, especially during periods of high stress, travel, poor sleep, or seasonal transitions when the immune system tends to be under more strain.”
In other words, you can think of immunity shots as a helpful source of wellness-supporting nutrients rather than a replacement for medicine or food. “Immunity shots are formulated to deliver a quick dose of nutrients, but they’re not a substitute for a balanced diet, adequate sleep, or other lifestyle factors that support immune health,” says registered dietitian Jane Leverich, RDN.
When you’re selecting an immunity shot to incorporate into your daily routine, quality matters. According to Peterson, the best store-bought immunity shots will feature functional ingredients — those that provide health-boosting benefits beyond basic nutrition — rather than relying solely on marketing hype.
Look for a short, recognizable ingredient list that includes immune-supporting nutrients such as vitamin C-rich fruits (like oranges, acerola cherry, and grapefruit), zinc, or elderberry, as well as anti-inflammatory spices like ginger and turmeric paired with black pepper, Peterson recommends. On the flip side, consumers should be wary of products packed with added sugars or artificial sweeteners, in addition to items with vague “immune-boosting” claims unsupported by their ingredient list.
The refrigerated section of your local supermarket is likely stocked with countless options for immunity shots. To help you sort through the rows of small bottles and find the standouts, we asked registered dietitians to share the best store-bought immunity shots.
Suja Organic Immunity Turmeric Pineapple Shot
Food & Wine / Suja Life, LLC
When we asked nutrition experts for an immunity shot they love, one recommendation kept coming up: the Suja Organic Immunity Turmeric Pineapple Shot.
“This immunity shot combines ginger, turmeric, pineapple, and live probiotics, offering anti-inflammatory properties and supporting digestive health,” says Ashley Kitchens, MPH, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Plant Centered Nutrition. “I also like this one because it’s tasty, affordable, and contains echinacea (a group of flowering plants known to stimulate the immune system) for an added immune-boosting bonus.”
The Suja pick is easy to find at mainstream grocery stores like Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods Market, making it a great entry point for anyone new to immunity shots, notes Alexandria Hardy, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Pennsylvania Nutrition Services. Plus, thanks to a base of coconut water and fruity notes from citrus, acerola cherries, pineapple, and lemon, the concentrated shot tastes naturally sweet without added sugar.
KOR Wellness Shot
Food & Wine / KOR Shots
Peterson describes the ginger-forward KOR Wellness Shot as a minimalist immunity shot, noting that it “delivers a bold, spicy flavor profile, and the combination of ginger, lemon, and cayenne pepper supports digestion and circulation, both of which play a role in how efficiently nutrients are absorbed and delivered throughout the body.” These qualities make it especially helpful during travel, in the colder months, or during periods of sluggish digestion, she adds.
The cold-pressed pick is a great choice for folks who prefer short ingredient lists (it includes only organic coconut water, organic lemon juice, organic ginger juice, and organic cayenne pepper), minimal sweetness, and a strong flavor kick. You can find it at many major grocery chains, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts Farmers Market, and The Fresh Market, as well as on Amazon.
Vive Organic Wellness Shots
Food & Wine / Vive Organic
If you’re not sure which flavor you want in an immunity shot, the Vive Organic Wellness Shots come in three variations that Hardy says are all worth trying: the classic ginger-turmeric blend; a tart option featuring elderberry, cayenne pepper, and extra vitamin C; and even one with a caffeine boost. Plant-based, cold-pressed, organic, and non-GMO, they’re a smart choice for daily use, Kitchens adds, thanks to their lack of added sugar.
Crafted by a team of doctors focused on holistic medicine, the shots’ formula features superfoods designed to support your immune system without compromising on flavor. Head to national chains such as Target, The Fresh Market, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, CVS Pharmacy, and Meijer to try one of these tiny bottles.
GT’s Immortal Immunity Shot
Food & Wine / GT’s Living Foods
Will it actually make you immortal? Of course not. But GT’s Immortal Immunity Shot stands out for its raw, fermented, and highly functional formulation. Each shot is crafted with powerful ingredients like spicy ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and non-dairy probiotic kefir cultures that support both gut and immune health. This connection is particularly important, as the immune system is linked to the gut microbiome.
“The flavor is bold and earthy, less sweet, and more functional, which signals that the focus is on efficacy rather than masking ingredients with sugar,” Peterson notes. “I also appreciate that each shot is packaged in a glass bottle, which helps preserve quality and aligns with sustainability.” The miniature drinks are available at Target, Whole Foods Market, Stop & Shop, Big Y World Class Market, and other major grocery stores.
So Good So You Watermelon Strawberry Immunity Shot
Food & Wine / So Good For You
Refreshing, subtly sweet, and packed with good-for-you ingredients like organic acerola, strawberry juice, vitamin D3, and gut-friendly probiotics, this Watermelon Strawberry Immunity Shot is one of Leverich’s top picks. “It provides 100% of the daily value for both vitamin C and vitamin D — two nutrients that play an important role in supporting immune function — while the watermelon and strawberry flavors make it approachable for those who prefer a lighter, fruit-forward option,” she says.
These shots are organic and additive-free, with no preservatives, gums, or emulsifiers. Ready to stock up? Grab them at Target, Meijer, Jewel Osco, Stop & Shop, Walmart, and other major supermarket chains.
Reviewed by
Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC: Lauren is an award-winning registered dietitian and three-time book author, with more than 22 years in the field.
