My husband got me started on apple cider vinegar. About four months ago he started drinking warm water with a spoonful of cider vinegar first thing in the morning. “It’s really good for your health and digestion. It should be the first thing you drink when you wake up,” he urged.
The thought of drinking vinegar first thing in the morning nauseated me. “No thanks, Honey! I’ll stick to my coffee.”
A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism as well as an auto immune issue known as Hashimoto’s disease. While I am lucky not to have many of the more difficult symptoms associated with these disorders, I do often experience fatigue.
After my husband started the cider vinegar routine, a friend of ours who is a doctor of Chinese medicine recommended I drink warm water with lemon, honey and ginger first thing in the morning. He explained that this lemon, honey and ginger combination is good for both the thyroid and digestion. The combination seemed more palatable than my husband’s vinegar concoction, so I went for it.
I was amazed at how I felt after a week of drinking this mixture. The ginger warmed my thyroid area each morning and stimulated my senses. Before long, I cut back on my morning coffee ritual, finding that the lemon, honey and ginger seemed to wake me up just as well as the caffeine (and no jitters, hurrah!). I was better hydrated, and starting the day off with a healthy drink seemed to set me on the right track for the rest of the day.
A few weeks later, my husband suggested I try adding a small spoonful of the cider vinegar to the lemon/honey/ginger drink. After looking up the health benefits, he was right– there are many! Raw apple cider vinegar is alkaline-forming, which means that it can help to balance your body’s pH levels. It also has prebiotic properties which boost gut health and immunity.
Combining apple cider vinegar with honey and ginger creates a powerful boost of antioxidants that aids in digestion and weight loss. This drink can help to combat indigestion, nausea and bloating. Some folks notice a relief in their acid reflux symptoms when they drink this mixture regularly. It can also help to relieve many cold symptoms, including congestion.
After reading about all of these benefits, I went for it. You know what? It wasn’t half-bad. In fact, after a few mornings I barely noticed the cider taste; the lemon, honey and ginger flavors overpowered any off-flavor from the cider.
It has become my morning ritual each and every day – I make one drink for me and one for my husband. Having reaped the benefits for weeks now, I figured it was finally share-worthy for the blog!
While apple cider vinegar has had a noticeably positive affect on my overall wellness and has long been considered a cure-all for many ailments, this drink is not for everyone and does come with its own set of precautions. Cider vinegar is fairly acidic, and can cause throat irritation if not properly diluted or if too much is consumed. It can also break down tooth enamel over time if you’re not careful.
This drink is quite diluted which helps, but you can protect yourself even more by rinsing your mouth out really well with water after you finish the drink. Apple cider vinegar may also react with some medications, including laxatives, diuretics and medications taken for diabetes and heart conditions. Always consult your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar to treat any medical conditions you may be experiencing.
If you really want to follow my morning routine, I always down one of these vitamin C packs (recommended by my naturopath) after sipping the cider drink. They taste really odd, but I have to say my immunity seems to be stronger than ever. I can’t remember the last time I caught a cold!
If you decide to juice fresh ginger, this is the juicer I use. It’s the best I’ve found for ease of use and easy cleanup. Of course, if you’re not into juicing, there is no need to buy a juicer just to make this drink. You can make it a few different ways, which I will explain below!
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Lemon Ginger Cider Vinegar Infusion
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups hot water (the same temperature you would use to make tea)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (or up to 3 tsp)
- 1 tablespoon honey (I use manuka honey)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice OR 1/2 to 3/4 tsp powdered ginger spice OR 2-inch knob peeled ginger, sliced (ginger is to taste - use more or less as desired, but use enough so that your throat tingles when you drink it!)
Instructions
- If using fresh ginger juice or powdered ginger: combine all ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Serve hot and sip it like a tea. If using fresh ginger: Combine the peeled fresh sliced ginger and 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan and simmer on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes. Remove ginger pieces, then stir in the lemon juice, cider vinegar, and honey.
- Serve hot and sip it like a tea. When finished, rinse your mouth out well with water, then brush your teeth. I usually follow this routine by drinking a full glass of room temperature or warm water.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Wynette says
I’m keto and can’t use honey. Going to substitute liquid stevia. This is supposed to be good for acid reflux.
Bee says
Are we able to drink it cold? Same benefits?
Tori Avey says
My Chinese doctor friend advised that drinking it warm in the morning was the best way to go. I am sure drinking it cold is helpful as well.
Melissa says
I suffer with digestion problems and have tried many things and starting tomorrow morning.. I will be trying this…Thanks.. Pray it works for me…
Aletha says
More effective when you add Cinnamon as well
Danielle says
how long can you store this drink?? does it lose it’s nutrients after a period of time sitting in the fridge?? Can you drink it as a cold beverage??
Ellen says
Cant wait to try this! Funnily enough I can across this post having searched ginger & apple cider vinegar – but I also suffer from hypothyroidism / Hashimoto’s. I got diagnosed 6 years ago now, but really struggle with what I should and shouldnt eat to benefit my thyroid. I’ll definitely be following your site from now on – and it’d be super interesting if you had any other tips / recipes that help your thyroid / hashimotos!
Tori Avey says
Ellen, I’m sorry you struggle with thyroid issues! I cut gluten recently because my doctor told me it can help cut down on inflammation throughout the body. Not sure how much it is helping but that combined with Armour has helped my numbers reach normal levels. I still bake for my family, though. My energy levels are pretty good!
Nicole Clouden says
Good morning Tori,
Thanks for the great idea. I’m a multiple myeloma patient with a compromise immune system. I catch colds often and battling one now as we speak. I just drank a cup and my cough has stopped at least for now?? I think I will have a second cup later and this time I will add the apple cider vinegar ?
Tori Avey says
So happy to hear it helped Nicole!
Mattie says
How much weight can you possibly lose and what’s the time frame?
Tori Avey says
Hi Mattie, that is dependent on so many factors, I couldn’t really say. It’s a better question for a nutritionist who is familiar with your particular body type, eating habits, level of activity, etc. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Jennifer P Tinney says
Tori, this recipe is wonderful! I saw it on your IG the day you posted and pinned it for later. I have finally had a chance to try and love it. It reminds me of a warm version of Trim Healthy Mama’s good girl moonshine. I cannot have honey, so I used two packets of Truvia. It is so nice to just sit and sip this and catch up on computer stuff.
Tori Avey says
Yay! So glad you like it Jennifer. I have also started drinking it hot in the evenings while I decompress from the day. It’s so nice and warming, especially during the winter months. 🙂
Nancy Markon says
Sounds great, except for the part about brushing your teeth afterwards. I was advised to rinse with water only after consuming anything acidic, then follow up with brushing no sooner than an hour later. If you brush too quickly, your brush away the enamel vs. preserving it. Any dentists out there care to comment?
Tori Avey says
Interesting Nancy! I’ll be curious to hear as well.
Mary says
I confirmed this with my dentist. Brushing too soon after enamel has been weakened by acid will damage the teeth. Rinse with plain watervabs don’t brush for one hour.
Clementine Rottemberg says
Hello 🙂 why have we to brush teeth after ?
Thank you 🙂
Tori Avey says
The acid in the vinegar is not good for tooth enamel.
Hila says
This was great. I added a bit of turmeric to it and really enjoyed it. Turmeric also has great health benefits.
Prasad says
Hi,
My sister gave the boiled extract of ginger lemon honey, added vinegar to it. It has an unpleasant strong odour. I mix 10 drops in water and take every morning on empty stomach. Everytime I have to shake it as some sediment settles at the bottom half.
How long can I preserve & use it?
Emilia says
l have just stated, but l only use grand ginger one spoon, l use one spoon apple cider vinegar and one spoon fresh lemon. l don’t use the honey because l checked my blood sugar level and it was 4.7 and l heard honey is also sugar but l really want to loss weight especially around waist. what should I do. Thanks
Gary says
I am just drinking my first ACV, honey, ginger water, and lemon n a warm glass of water. It actually tastes not to bad. Tastes terrible without the honey. I have been reading and searching the internet for proof to the claims of it being good for certain things (cleanse, digestion, etc.). I have found no real studies that show any significant benefit. Most say to just eat a balanced, real food diet. The weight loss was minimal (monthly) but, there was some loss in studies. pH balance and detoxification are done normally by your body, and your liver does a great job of doing just that. Rather than following these fads (and that is just what they are), just eat smaller portions, eat real food not the processed crap that is all around us, and move our body. ALSO, drink lots of water. Our bodies are meant for whole foods, not processed. If you think you don’t have time to eat properly, think again. It is quite easy. Free up time for your (and your families) health. No one to blame but yourself. We are accountable for our own health. Your Dr. is not!
Shady says
U probably want to try adding chilli with the mix.
Goutam Sarkar says
After the stenting procedure i came to know about this garlic-ginger-lemon-honey solution. Now that i am already undergone the procedure and now on prescribed medication, can i use this solution for prevention?
Tori Avey says
Hi Goutam, I suggest you give the recipe to your physician to ask his or her thoughts, and to make sure none of the ingredients interfere with your prescriptions.
Jay says
Do you drink this 1/2 to one hour after taking your thyroid medication in the morning? I also have Hashimoto’s and have to take Synthroid in the morning giving it time before I eat.
Tori Avey says
Hi Jay! I take my thyroid meds first always, wait 30 minutes, then drink this along with my Vitamin C supplement. 🙂
Samra says
Hi..I used proper mixture with honey at the end..all went fine but the mixturw turned light green in color after boiling. Just wanted to confirm if it is still fine. The smell is pungent and tastes sour.
Please suggest.
Tori Avey says
Hi Samra, this has never happened to me before… strange. Not sure what to tell you!
Phoebe says
Comment to the person who had the mixture turn green. It could be to do with the pan they”re using. Sounds like a reaction with the metal. I use a remedy like this from my grandmother since a very long time and can only suggest using an enamel pan.
Lisa says
If apple cider vinegar is too strong for you, add it to a glass of high quality organic apple cider. It’s much smoother. Add the other ingredients as you like. I usually pour it over ice.
Amber says
have you ever made more than one serving and stored it in the fridge? if so how long? I’d love to make a weeks worth and store it in the fridge. I drink it 3x a day but buying this pre-made is so expensive.
Danielle says
This recipe is great.. it’s my first time trying apple cider vinegar in a drink honestly but it does have a good tingle to it. The smell almost made me dump it but small sips without breathing in the smell works.
Sue says
Can i use real lemon juice in a bottle instead of real lemons and can i use jarred mince garlic instead of fresh garlic……or is it safer all natural
Tori Avey says
I prefer the flavor of fresh lemon juice in this recipe. As for jarred garlic, there is no garlic in this recipe… but if you are just asking in general, I tend to prefer fresh garlic, but have been known to use the jarred stuff when I’m in a hurry.