How to make an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (called a Switchel) plus the Top 10 Benefits of drinking Apple Cider Vinegar on a daily basis. A healthy, energizing, probiotic drink made with apple cider vinegar (with the “mother” in it) that reduces body fat, lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, lowers insulin, helps shed weight, boosts immunity, aids with digestion and regularity, and increases energy and vitality!
If you’ve been here a while, you’ll already know I’m a huge fan of this Apple Cider Vinegar Drink. When I first started the blog, way back in 2011, I was drinking it regularly every morning and did not get sick for five years. Five years! Not a sniffle.
It turns out, this has been around a while and there is actually a name for it… it is called Switchel!
TOP 10 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar:
There is a lot of compelling research on the many health benefits of Apple Cider vinegar. Here are the top ten health benefits of consuming apple cider vinegar daily.
- Lowers Body Fat (2 tablespoons daily)
- Lowers blood sugar
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- helps with weight loss (2 tablespoons daily)
- Reduces Belly fat
- Lowers cholesterol
- Boosts immunity
- May improve heart health
- May slow the growth of cancer cells
- Improves digestion
Here are a couple more articles that talk about the benefits of apple cider vinegar that I found interesting: Longevity Live and Medical News Today.
I know that on days when I drink this Switchel, I feel so energized! Not only does it help keep me “regular” (drinking it first thing in the morning), when I drink it before a meal, I feel less hungry.
I’ve read it helps keep our gut microbiome in balance, helping regulate the balance between bacteria and yeasts. I’ve also heard it lowers blood sugar after eating a high carb meal, and helps regulate insulin and lower cholesterol – but please do your own research and see. As I told you earlier, I know first hand it boosts immunity, making me more resistant to colds and flu.
But please don’t take my word for it…try it for yourself… drink it for a few weeks, and see how it feels.
Isn’t that the true test? Experiencing something for yourself personally?
What is a Switchel?
This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink is said to originate in New England where it became a popular drink in the late 17th century – where it was used to revive tired and thirsty farmers at harvest time, also called “Haymaker’s Punch” or a Switchel. It was basically sweetened apple cider vinegar water.
What or who is the “mother”?
If you are wondering what “the Mother” actually is in the Apple Cider Vinegar – it is is the colony of healthy bacteria, similar to a Kombucha SCOBY, that help make the vinegar through a secondary fermentation process.
Apple Cider Vinegar “with the mother in it” is vinegar that is not filtered or heated (pasteurized), so the healthy living bacteria are preserved and kept alive to do their healing!
Why I personally take Apple Cider Vinegar:
Healthy Belly:
I travel a lot and eat a lot of “street food” in India, Asia, etc., and I find that drinking Apple Cider vinegar water, daily, especially on trips like this really helps keep my belly healthy and happy. It is not foolproof, but stomach issues do seem to get resolved much more quickly. Instant Relief. Now, I won’t travel without it. 🙂
Helps me stop snacking:
One thing that I’ve been trying to do lately is not snack between meals. This switchel has been a godsend. I snack out of boredom, not hunger… and you’ve probably heard me say, my mouth gets bored! So I’ve been reaching for this drink lately instead of the snacky stuff. It makes me feel less hungry.
Helps my immunity:
Like I mentioned earlier, when I drink this regularly I don’t ever seem to get colds or flu. Perhaps it is the placebo effect. Who knows, but it works.
What to mix with Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Water or sparkling water
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey or stevia (all optional)
- Slice of lemon, orange or lime
- Ginger- optional but delicious!
- Pinch of Himalayan sea salt (optional)
Apple cider vinegar for weight loss:
According to recent research, drinking 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ( 30 ml) daily will help with weight loss.
I’m curious to hear what you think about this Apple Cider Vinegar Drink…. please let me know in the comments below! It’s actually the most helpful if you actually try it first and experience the effects personally, before judging. 🙂
Have a fun and happy weekend!!!
Have a Switchel! Cheers!
xoxo
More Recipes you may like:
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Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (Switchel Recipe)
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups
- Category: drink
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
How to make an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (called a Switchel) plus the Top 10 Benefits of drinking Apple Cider Vinegar on a daily basis.
Ingredients
- 4 slices ginger ( optional- see notes)
- 3 ¾ cups water, divided
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ( like Braggs – “with the mother in it”) more to taste
- juice of ½ –1 lemon (or sub limes or other citrus! Blood oranges are pretty too!)
- 1 tablespoon honey ( preferably raw) or maple syrup or stevia to taste -optional, see notes
Instructions
Place ginger in one cup of water in a small pot and bring to a boil. Let cool.
Pour the ginger water, remaining water, apple cider vinegar, juice from half a lemon, and your choice of sweetener into to a quart mason jar. Stir and adjust lemon and sweetness to your taste.
Store in a pitcher or mason jar, either in the fridge or at room temp (if drinking throughout the day).
Enjoy first thing in the morning to aid the liver in cleansing, or in the afternoon for an energizing pick-me-up or after dinner to help mitigate carbs and regulate insulin.
Ideally, you want to consume 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks to see results with weight loss and body fat. Remember you can always add to salads too. 🙂 Raw Apple Cider Dressing
Notes
This will keep for 1 week in the fridge.
It’s important you let the warm water cool- you do not want to kill the healthy bacteria in the vinegar or the health benefits of the raw honey.
If in a hurry, simply leave out the ginger, and make the drink in a glass, with lemon, vinegar and optional sweetener to taste. You can also use sparkling water and serve over ice.
Sweetener is optional: Over time as you become accustomed to the vinegar taste, you may naturally want to lower the sweetener or omit completely. ***Most mornings I drink filtered water with just a splash of the apple cider vinegar. No sweetener, no lemon, no ginger. Simple and easy. But I know this may not be pleasant for most. This recipe was intended to get you accustomed to the taste. Feel free to adjust from here.
And Lately, I’ve been adding a pinch of pink Himalayan Salt to add electrolytes.
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I used to drink Switchell as a boy in New England while haying. A wonderful drink on hot, dusty days. I remember the ladies coming out with it in buckets with oatmeal in it to give it some body.
Love this Phil. The oatmeal is really interesting!
Has anyone ever substituted homemade, red wine vinegar for ACV? The starter for the RWV was ACV mother.
Good point on adding a bit of Himalayan salt.
Southern sweet tea recipes sometimes include baking soda (claim that it reduces bitterness of the tea).
Bonnie- it sounds like it would be a great substitute! It makes me want to try to make my own vinegar too!
Thank you soooo much!! Various times I’ve got the Apple Cider Vinegar Ginger Lemon and Honey drink and I’ve always wanted to make it but I didn’t know the portions, this saved me a lot of time!! I will tell you how it tastes once I’m done making it. Again thank you!
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Sounds great Sara!
I have started using the ACV with lemon and honey and sometimes add some ginger ;and within a month I lost nine pounds and my A1c levels have being improving ; I am now adding chamomile tea to it and I am feeling much better;also sleeping better .I am looking forward to loosing more weight and better control of my A1c levels.
I definitely recommend this because for years I have been trying to control my diabetes and lose weight and it has not happened until I started the ACV method and feel fuller longer.
Great to hear! Such good news, thanks for sharing- really appreciate this.Any other dietary changes?
Hi Sylvia! Love your blog! It’s always so informative 🙂 Most mornings I will start my day with a warm glass of water that I either add some lemon juice or water or Apple cider vinegar. After reading your post on benefits of celery, I would like to incorporate drinking celery juice into my morning routine. I was wondering how you would do it to reap benefits of both ACV and celery – would you drink one or the other (if so, how often would you rotate them) or both one after the other (if so, does it matter which goes first and should I wait 30mins before consuming the next)? I would sincerely appreciate your thoughts. Cheers,
Hi Penny, personally I would drink the celery juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Then wait an hour and sip on Switchel throughout the day.
Thank you Sylvia!
I had discovered Switchel recently from a local company. The one I loved was a blood orange but it was pretty expensive, 8 bucks for four 300 ml cans, so I decided to look up a recipe and was pleasantly surprised that it was made with apple cider. I have been juicing a blood orange, half a lemon, 2tbs of cider, concentrated ginger juice and honey to taste I then add this to a can of soda. So happy to have stumbled upon your recipe! Thank-you!
Love it Suzanne!
Love this… I have been drinking since January 1 and now I need up how much I am drinking.. love your recipes
My son and I have been drinking switchel every morning for a week and we both love it. However, I was wondering if anyone has checked with a dentist about whether that amount of vinegar can affect tooth enamel? Thanks!
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Rinse your mouth with water after drinking. 🙂
Q: For the Apple Cider Drink (Switchel), how many ounces of filtered water do you use?
Just discovered your blog and it is amazing! Cannot wait to download my plant based book. Thanks a million!
Thanks Alma. So Basically to see the health benefits of Apple cider vinegar, you need roughly 30 ml daily. Or two tablespoons. Here I’ve mixed it with 14 ounces of water, to keep it more palatable. After time, you can lessen the water if you like and have it be more concentrated. Up to your taste. 🙂
I love this drink! I put twice as much vinegar and a little more lemon and lime. Very tasty and refreshing.
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So I’m literally drinking it right now. I’m having issues with fatigue and sinuses. Also, I’ve been craving vinegar, ginger, and honey lately. I feel like this is hitting the spot! I appreciate this recipe and look forward to the benefits!!
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How much of this do you drink at a time? I made a bottle last night and want to give it to my boys as well. Is 1/2 a cup enough or do you drink a full glass at a time? I didn’t add any sweetener as I drink ACV regularly and don’t need it, but we’ll see what they say! 😉
Thanks!
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I usually drink 8-12 ounces.
I haven’t made this recipe but have loved switchel since I was a little girl growing up in Pennsylvania.
The farmers swore it was the best thirst-quencher! My mother’s recipe was:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ginger
4 quarts water
Mix well and chill. Delicious!
Serves 15
Love it Mavis!
I have been doing this for several weeks now and love it! I substituted a Cara Cara Orange for the lemon and that was delicious also. I have not added any sweetener, and still find it delicious and refreshing. (Trying to cut back on added sugars) I have been hesitant about adding the salt for the same reason, but now will have to try it! I find I can’t eat anything when drinking it though or my belly aches.
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REAL salt is necessary for bodily function; for adrenal and cell function. Grey Celtic sea salt or Redmond’s real salt
I’ve been pouring the mother into a new bottle of vinegar when I’ve emptied one but have quite a large amount built up now. What do I do with it? I can’t stomach the thought of eating it but it feels wasteful to toss it out.
I am with you! I’m not sure what to do with it too! I Can’t drink it but hard to waste.
I don’t understand the part about the mother. I shake my vinegar before use. So why would anyone have only the mother at the end of their bottle??
Probably because they don’t shake it. 😉
This is a go-to for me and it’s what I turn to any time I experience acid reflux. It sounds counterintuitive but a lot of the time it’s not too much acid causing reflux, but too little. Not enough acid in our stomachs causes food not to break down properly, which can cause the digestive tract to back up, leading to acid reflux. Discovering this was a life-saver after a couple months of daily reflux that was not helped by any OTC or prescription meds. After a few days of 8oz of ACV and water three times a day, the reflux was gone. I’m a believer! Thanks for the reminder that I should just make it a daily habit and not wait until I need it as a treatment. 🙂
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Love it! Great to hear!