This apple cider vinegar lemon ginger tonic is a great way to start your day. It just might give you the edge you need to fight off nasty germs.
Jump to:
Possible Benefits
A number of folks swear by the health benefits of drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar and/or lemon juice every morning. I’m not a medical expert, so I can only speak from experience.
My husband does not fully follow a plant-based diet. However, a few months ago he began drinking warm water with apple cider vinegar, lemon and honey first thing in the morning. In previous posts I’ve alluded to how challenging 2016 has been. On January 15, literally two days after my husband’s job of nearly eighteen years ended (office closed), his mother was hospitalized with a stroke. For the next two months he traveled to visit her everyday as she bounced back and forth between rehab and the hospital. On more than one occasion, he spent hours with her in the ER during peak flu season. She passed away just a couple of weeks ago.
At the same time our daughter began to experience debilitating migraines amongst other symptoms. After numerous doctor visits and tests we are beginning to piece together the cause—but that’s a story for another day.
The point I’m trying to make is stress can do a number on your immune system. Few things are more stressful than losing a job, losing a parent and being concerned for your child - all at the same time. Yet, my husband managed to avoid contracting the flu or any other illness in spite of ample opportunity. I call that down right incredible.
Options
This apple cider vinegar lemon ginger tonic is my take on my husband’s morning ritual. It was inspired by a drink I picked up from a health food store the other day. My husband doesn’t care for ginger, but I love the stuff. It adds some additional health benefits, but feel free to leave it out if you don’t like it.
If you’re not concerned with being strictly vegan, you can sweeten the drink with raw honey. Some folks believe honey offers additional benefits. Otherwise, maple syrup will do the trick.
The mixture is pleasantly tart and spicy. And if my husband’s experience is any indication, it just might give you the edge you need to fight off some nasty germs.
📖 Recipe
Apple Cider Vinegar Lemon Ginger Tonic
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water not hot
- 1 Tbsp. raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the “mother”
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice or another tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- ½ Tbsp. maple syrup or raw honey
- ½ tsp. ground ginger
Instructions
Mixing Option 1
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend on high for about 30 seconds.
Mixing Option 2
- Add all ingredients to a large glass.
- Mix for approximately 30 seconds with a stick/immersion blender.
Mixing Option 3
- Add all ingredients to a bottle/container with a tight lid.
- Shake vigorously several times.
Notes
Note: I do not include nutrition information with my recipes because I subscribe to the theories presented in the book Whole and believe we should focus on eating a variety of whole foods instead of counting calories or keeping track of individual nutrients.
Barbara
Can you use fresh ginger? If so, how much.
Margaret
Hi Barbara - You could try adding 1-2 Tablespoons of fresh ginger in the place of the ground ginger. You would like want to use a high powered blender to make sure it mixes well.
linda nichols
can enough be made and put in the ice box and heated as needed
Margaret
I'm not sure - I would recommend making it fresh.
Diya
Useful receipe! ❤️
Can I substitute grounded ginger with ginger shot juice?
Margaret
I'm not familiar with ginger shot juice. Does it have any additives to preserve freshness? If not, give it a try and see what you think.
Eileen
Can i drink this while breastfeeding?
Margaret
I encourage you to ask your doctor. 🙂
Shaina
I drink this and swear by it, my grandmother told me her grandmother gave her this exact recipe and it fought of any colds if you started to show symptoms, they would be gone the next day and never return. I now make it for my kids while in school and around germs all the time. My children never get sick. And I mean not even the sniffles. This tonic is something I swear by and share with everyone I know. Thank you for sharing this recipe. God Bless.
Margaret
Thank you for sharing, Shaina!
Joanna Dhanabalan
Does this work for those with GERD/LPR
Margaret
Hi Joanna! I encourage you to talk with your doctor to see if they think the ingredients will help your condition or make it worse. You are welcome to share the outcome of your conversation here - I’m sure others with similar questions would find the information helpful. 😊
Monica Johnson
Hi Joanna. I am a 47 year old woman who suffered with GURD as far back as I can remember, including as a small child. Although everyone is different, I have been doing this regiment day and night for 3 weeks now. It's improved my GURD symptoms. I don't take medication for GURD although prescribed, I use tums when needed and Pepto when it's excruciating. I am all for the ole school medicine vs. New fancy & costly medicines w/ all of the side effects. Since doing this regiment I've not had any issues what so ever with GURD which surprised me because of the citrus acid of the lemon. Instead it's totally helped my digestive system and I belch where as before I couldn't when I needed to. I have more energy, I have even lost a few pounds. i was also borderline hypertension. My blood pressure was 122/72 a couple of days ago when I went to see my primary care provider thought that I'd taken the beta blocker she'd prescribed and was shocked when I told her I wasn't. She said what ever you're doing keep it up, you've got the blood pressure of a teenager. My blood pressure was 117/73 today when I took it myself. I'm am by no means telling you not to take medication. I just don't like medicating and chose diet changes, daily walks and this regiment as a substitute. I feel sensational and are very pleased with these results. Just thought I'd share this with you.
Kayla
Do not blend unless you want to discolor your blender cup. Why isn’t this mentioned? That’s a huge problem consider i just ruined the color of my vitamix blender cup.
Margaret
Hi Kayla - I'm sorry to hear the ingredients discolored your blender cup. I have not had that experience, but I appreciate you mentioning it to warn others.