About a year ago, I incorporated apple cider vinegar, with ‘the mother’ (ACV) , into my daily routine. However, consuming my daily 2-tablespoon dose straight wasn’t enjoyable or beneficial for my teeth, leading me to explore creative ways to incorporate it into my diet while boosting my fruit and veggie intake.
Why Apple Cider Vinegar? And What’s the Mother?
Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Washington, each autumn we would make apple cider, using my grandfather’s old cider crank. We would filter it through gauzy cloth and store it in big glass bottles in the shed – with 1 bottle at a time in the refrigerator for daily consumption.
We had no pasteurization process, so within a couple weeks, the opened cider in the refrigerator became deliciously fizzy. That was the action of the mother. The natural yeast – or yeast added after the fact by manufacturers today – is the mother. I’m no expert, but it is a healthy bacteria that is purportedly helpful to the biome in our guts. (all the rage – so count me in on the health trend!)
Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Washington, each autumn we would make apple cider, using my grandfather’s old cider crank. We would filter it through gauzy cloth and store it in big glass bottles in the shed – with 1 bottle at a time in the refrigerator for daily consumption.
We had no pasteurization process, so within a couple weeks, the opened cider in the refrigerator became deliciously fizzy. That was the action of the mother. The natural yeast – or yeast added after the fact by manufacturers today – is the mother. I’m no expert, but it is a healthy bacteria that is purportedly helpful to the biome in our guts. (all the rage – so count me in on the health trend!)
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar to Me, Your Mileage May Vary
Despite the buzz around it in social media for weight loss secrets (which I’ve yet to experience), my motivation was more about alleviating digestive issues and tackling those post-lunch energy slumps. There is no miracle weight loss here, but a year in, the stomach dramas are history. Confidence boosted.
Here are my go-to recipes I use to get in My Daily Dose of Apple Cider Vinegar
Cold ACV Drink
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 dash of preferred spice - ground nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, ginger
Instructions
- Combine and drink immediately.
Hot ACV Tea
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
- 1 bag Apple Cinnamon Tea
- 1 stick cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into mug.
- Fill mug with boiling water.
- Steep for 5 minutes.
Hot Soothing ACV
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 stick cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in mug.
- Add water.
- Place in microwave, cook for 2 minutes
Mix Apple Cider Vinegar into Blender Drinks
Autumn Pear & ACV
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
- ½ cup fresh pear
- ½ cup Coconut Milk
- 1 dash ground nutmeg - I love nutmeg. It makes almost anything tasty.
- 1 handful ice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and blend to your desired texture.
Mango ACAI & ACV Madness
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped frozen mangos
- 2 tsp Acai Powder
- ½ cup Coconut Milk
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and blend to your desired texture.
Summer Tropics ACV Bliss
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
- 1 cup fresh pineapple
- 3-4 fresh ginger shavings
- ½ cup Coconut Milk
- 1 dash allspice (or nutmeg or turmeric & pepper) - Optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and blend to your desired texture.
Tips & Tricks for Making Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
- Blend on low for a smoother consistency. At high speed, ACV foams up.
- Use frozen or refrigerated fruit for natural sweetness.
- Fresh Ginger: Kept in a refrigerated jar, ginger stays fresh for months. Use a potato peeler to shave 3-4 slices into the blender.
- I’m not an expert, but I hear turmeric and black pepper must be used together for any health benefit.
- When I combine too many things (e.g. cherries + turmeric = big fail) both flavor and visual appeal are unappetizing.
A tea that I haven’t tried yet, but want to is Caramel Apple Dream or my all-time favorite tea is TWG Royal Darjeeling FTGFOP1 from India.
Travel-Friendly ACV Tincture
For travel, I craft a travel-sized (3 oz) tincture using apple cider vinegar, lemon, honey, and spices. Pro tip: cover the bottle with plastic wrap before screwing the lid on to prevent leakage from cabin pressure. Then put the bottles in zip-locked bags. Bring an empty mason jar and lid so you can just add water, shake, and drink each day.
Final Thoughts about Apple Cider Vinegar
Experiment. Get creative. Play with flavors and enjoy the health benefits in a way that suits your taste buds and lifestyle. Cheers to experimenting with apple cider vinegar and discovering your perfect blend!
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I’ve been starting the morning with apple cider vinegar ever since someone gifted me a bottle of artisanal “Fire Cider” and it hooked me. I don’t know why it is so freaking satisfying to have something a little “biting” to drink, especially as I’ve gotten older and can’t tolerate alcohol as well and drink it less and less. I tried adding a little ginger this morning and it was really tasty. Tomorrow I’m going to try turmeric. Thanks, Christy!
Oh fabulous! Now I’m going to find some of that “Fire Cider’!