A delicious recipe for an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (also called a Switchel) plus 10 advantages of drinking this gut-healing, probiotic drink on a daily basis!
This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink has been a godsend in my life. Starting in 2011, I’ve been drinking this daily, usually first thing in the morning. It helps with digestion, energy, weight maintenance, and immunity – supporting the gut with healthy probiotics. Like all things, try it and see how your body feels!
Ingredients in Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
- Unfiltered Apple cider vinegar (with the mother in it) Use vinegar that is not filtered or heated (pasteurized), so the healthy living bacteria are preserved and kept alive to do their healing!
- Filtered Water or Mineral water
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey, molasses, monk fruit, honey or liquid stevia (all optional)
- Pinch of sea salt (for added minerals!)
- Optional additions: lemon juice, ginger ( fresh ginger or ground), cinnamon, cayenne pepper, turmeric.
How to make Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
- Place the water, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and sweetener in a large 16-ounce glass or jar.
- Add any optional additions: ginger, lemon juice, turmeric powder or cinnamon.
- Give a good stir ( or place the lid on the jar, and shake) and enjoy!
What time of day is apple cider vinegar most effective?
Enjoy the Apple Cider Vinegar Drink in the morning to aid the liver in cleansing or as a natual, gentle laxitive, or drink in the afternoon for an energizing pick-me-up between meal, or drink before or after dinner to help regulate glucose levels and boost digestion.
You can drinnk the 16 ounce glass in one shot, or divide it throughout the day.
Apple cider vinegar drink Benefits
- Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: According to recent research, drinking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar ( 30 ml) daily will help lower body weight and triglycerides. I can attest to both.
- Immunity: When I drink this regularly, I never seem to get colds or flu. Immunity starts in the gut, and I believe this supports my gut with healthy living probiotics.
- Supports healthy Digestion: When I know I will eat a heavier meal, drinking a glass of this beforehand helps my stomach digest things faster. I feel less uncomfortable or bloated.
- Supports our Gut Microbiome: I travel a lot and eat a lot of “street food” in India, Asia, etc., and I find that drinking Apple Cider vinegar drink, daily, especially on trips like this really helps keep my gut microbiome healthy and happy. It is not foolproof, but stomach issues happen less often, or do seem to get resolved much more quickly. I won’t travel without it. 🙂
- Lowers Glucose Levels: After wearing a glucose monitor ( just for fun) I’ve noticed that when I consume this apple cider vinegar drink, before meals, my glucose stays more level.
Storage Suggestions
Make a big batch of Apple Cider Vinegar Drink and store it in a pitcher or mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
HEalth Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
There is a lot of compelling research on the many advantages of drinking this Apple Cider vinegar drink. Here are the top ten health benefits of consuming apple cider vinegar daily with research linked to each topic.
- Lowers Body Fat (2 tablespoons daily)
- Lowers blood sugar
- Improves insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels and helps with diabetes
- helps with weight loss (2 tablespoons daily)
- Reduces Belly fat
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Boosts immunity
- Improves heart health, lowering triglycerides
- May slow the growth of cancer cells
- Improves digestion (a natural laxative) and may help with heartburn and acid reflux.
Here are a couple more articles about the benefits of apple cider vinegar that I found interesting: Longevity Live and Medical News Today.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink FAQs
Q: What is a Switchel?
A: A Switchel is a type of drink that is said to originate in New England. It became popular in the late 17th century, where it was used to revive tired and thirsty farmers during harvest time. It is also known as “Haymaker’s Punch”. The main ingredients of a Switchel are sweetened apple cider vinegar and water.
Q: What is the “mother” in Apple Cider Vinegar?
A: The “mother” in Apple Cider Vinegar refers to the colony of healthy bacteria that are responsible for the fermentation process. It is similar to the SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) used in making Kombucha. Apple Cider Vinegar “with the mother” is vinegar that is not filtered or pasteurized, thus preserving the beneficial bacteria that provide its healing properties.
Q: Will ACV drink hurt my teeth, or tooth enamel?
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid- so always rinse your mouth with pure water, after consuming it in large amounts.
Q: Can I drink Apple Cider Vinegar everyday?
Yes, this drink is safe to drink on a daily basis, limiting your consumption up to 2 tablespoons daily.
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!!!
xoxo
More favorite healing recipes
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
- Prep Time: 3
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: drink
- Method: mix
- 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
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ( “with the mother in it”) Start light, add more to taste
- pinch of sea salt ( for added minerals)
Optional additions:
- 1–2 teaspoons sweetener: honey, maple syrup, stevia, coconut sugar, etc.
- squeeze of lemon or other citrus
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, sliced ginger or 1/2–1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of cinnamon, turmeric, or cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place the water, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and sweetener in a large 16-ounce glass and stir. Add any optional additions. If just starting out, start with one tablespoon vinegar, and perhaps more sweetener, adjusting to taste. As you get used to it, feel free to increase the vinegar and lower the sweetener to taste.
- Enjoy this 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, regulate insulin and boost digestion.
- Feel free to make a big batch and store in a pitcher or mason jar, either in the fridge or at room temp (if drinking throughout the day).
Notes
This can be kept in the fridge for 1 week.
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.
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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 ounces w/ 1 teaspoon honey
- Calories: 28
- Sugar: 5.9 g
- Sodium: 98.5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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!
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!
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.
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!!
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!
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.
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. 🙂
Love it! Great to hear!
Hi Sylvia, I have not tried this recipe but am a firm fan of apple cider vinegar with the mother. My concoction every morning is 2 tbsp ACV, 1 tsp powdered cloves, 1 tsp powdered ginger and 12g collagen powder and hot water. I did start taking it with 1 tsp honey but stopped the honey as I don’t have a sweet tooth and found it unnecessary. It is definitely an acquired taste but I have taken this for several years now. It does give me a boost in the morning but what it doesn’t do is reduce my belly fat – in fact, that has increased greatly over the last few years since I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid.
thanks Dora!
Does the recipe call for 1/2 to 1 lemon juiced, or sliced? The photo shows slices but the ingredient list doesn’t suggest a juiced lemon? There would be a dramatic taste difference, I believe.
You are right. Use juiced, the slices are more for garnish.
I start craving it!! I poured some into icecube tray so I don’t water it down when I drink it all day!
Downloaded the recipe and going to try it. I’ve always use organic apple cider vinegar every once in awhile, but I always used two tablespoons and a half a cup of water and just drink it down quickly!
Although I hate it, but I became a snacker too since this covid-19 virus and yeah, the mouth gets bored LOL. I gained 12 pounds since this started. I just found out I have NASH. So I’m going to start on this to not only help with my health but to lose weight. I thank you for sharing this information and recipe.
Thanks for sharing Gail!
I’ve been drinking this for over 60 years. My Mom made it with just the water, vinegar, sweetener and ginger, the recipe she used when making it for the farmhands on her father’s farm during haying season. She used powdered ginger (ginger root wasn’t available in rural stores back then. Made some for the grandchildren and they were skeptical, but I told them it was 18th Century Gatorade and they loved it!
Awesome Kevin, love it!
Fantastic recipe! I’m definitely going to try this one out.
I found this recipe while looks for something to make me less tasty to mosquitos. I haven’t been able to test out the mosquito deterrent effects, but the drink was quite tasty. I don’t normally drink alcohol and have been looking for a refreshing summer drink, think I found it.
Does it work??? Mosquitos love me.
Hi, I just read your post and mosquitos and bugs love me to LOL! If you like lavender, try lavender oils after your shower/bath. Bugs hate that smell.
Good to know!
well I just made the switches. I did not add the sweetener. Just had my first glass. Not bad at all. I will continue drinking it to see for myself. Thank you.
I just made Switchel…and I have to say I love it! I did not add sweetener at all. The combination of ginger, lemon & acv is stellar fabulous. So great that it makes a big mason jar for in my fridge so that it is handy for the week. Thank you so much!
Awesome Shelley!
How much do you drink at each drinking
Hi Frank, I just drink a 8-ounce glass 1-2 times a day. Now I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t add sweeter.