This apple cider vinegar lemon ginger tonic is a great way to start your day. 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.
Apple Cider Vinegar Lemon Ginger Tonic
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.
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
- 1/2 Tbsp. maple syrup or raw honey
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
Instructions
Mixing Option 1
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Add all ingredients to a blender.
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Blend on high for about 30 seconds.
Mixing Option 2
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Add all ingredients to a large glass.
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Mix for approximately 30 seconds with a stick/immersion blender.
Mixing Option 3
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Add all ingredients to a bottle/container with a tight lid.
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Shake vigorously several times.
Recipe Notes
Unless you go with mixing option 3 (and can continue to shake as needed) - leave a spoon in the glass so you can stir between sips to keep ground ginger from settling to the bottom.
If you omit the ginger, you can skip the blending and/or shaking and simple stir the mixture with a spoon.
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.
Can you use fresh ginger? If so, how much.
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.
can enough be made and put in the ice box and heated as needed
I’m not sure – I would recommend making it fresh.