Apple cider vinegar weight loss recipe

This apple cider vinegar drink is my little two minute morning habit, and most days it perks me up before my coffee even finishes brewing.

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• Apple Cider Vinegar Drink With Lemon

I won't pretend I loved it right away. The first time I tried an apple cider vinegar drink, I made a face that had Sarah laughing from across the kitchen. But I kept tweaking it, and now it's the first thing I reach for on slow weekday mornings here in our Manhattan apartment.

Here's the short version of how this started. A neighbor down the hall kept telling me about her morning glass of apple cider vinegar and lemon, and I nodded politely while thinking it sounded kind of rough. Then one rainy Tuesday I had run out of orange juice, my throat felt scratchy, and I figured why not. I mixed up a glass, added a splash of sweetness, and honestly? It grew on me fast.

This drink is about as simple as it gets. You stir together apple cider vinegar, filtered water, fresh lemon, a little ice, and a few drops of stevia. No blender, no special tools. Could a morning drink be any simpler?

If you like easy sips like this one, you might also enjoy my fruity detox water for those mornings when plain water feels a little boring and you want something with a bit more going on.

Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

There's a reason this glass shows up on my counter most weekday mornings. Here's what keeps me coming back:

• Ready in two minutes. Stir and sip. That's it.
• Just a handful of ingredients. Apple cider vinegar, water, lemon, ice, and a touch of stevia.
• Light and bright. The lemon keeps it fresh, and the sweetness softens the sharp edge.
• Easy to change up. A splash of fruit juice or some fresh mint, and it feels brand new.
• Light and low. It's only about 17 calories a glass, so it fits into almost any morning.
• Real ingredients only. Nothing you can't pronounce or find at your corner store.

What You Need For This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

The shopping list here is short and sweet. I keep most of this on hand all the time, so it's an easy one to throw together.

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (I like Bragg, the kind with the cloudy bit at the bottom)
• 8 oz filtered water
• Juice of ½ lemon, fresh
• Ice
• A few drops of organic liquid stevia (I use the Trader Joe's one)

A quick note on swaps. If you don't keep stevia around, a little honey or maple syrup works too. And if you want it less sharp, you can start with half the vinegar and build up from there.

How To Make This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

This might be the shortest recipe on my whole site, and I mean that in the best way. One glass, one stir, and you're done.

1. Add the apple cider vinegar, filtered water, fresh lemon juice, ice, and a few drops of stevia to a tall glass.
2. Stir everything together until it's mixed through, then taste and adjust. Sip and enjoy.

Start Slow With The Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can taste pretty strong, especially if you're new to it. I'd start with half a tablespoon your first few times, then work your way up once your taste buds get used to it. There's no prize for going big right away.

Always Add Water

One thing I'll say up front: never drink apple cider vinegar straight. It's very acidic, and that can be hard on your tooth enamel and your throat.

Mixing it into a full glass of water keeps it gentle and easy to drink. I sip mine through the morning rather than gulping it down.

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Storing And Making It Ahead

This is a fresh drink, so I almost always make it right before I want it. The lemon tastes brightest when it's just squeezed, and the ice keeps things cool.

That said, mornings can get hectic, so here's what I do when I'm short on time. I'll juice a couple of lemons the night before and keep the juice in a small jar in the fridge. Then it's just a quick pour and stir.

If you mix a full glass and don't finish it, pop it in the fridge and drink it within a day. The taste holds up fine, though I think it's best fresh.

Easy Ways To Change Up Your Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

Want to keep things interesting? This is where the fun comes in. Once you've got the base down, you can play around all you like. Here are the swaps my family and I reach for:

• A splash of pomegranate juice for a little color and a fruity note.
• A squeeze of orange juice to round out the tartness.
• Muddled strawberries when they're in season and sweet.
• Fresh mint leaves, muddled right in the glass, for a cool finish.
• Grated fresh ginger when I want a bit of warmth and a kick.

Want something warm instead? On those mornings I'll skip this and reach for a cup of green tea. And if you're into simple morning sips in general, salt and lemon water is another easy one worth a look.

One more idea: if you like a little fizz, swap half the water for sparkling water. Alex thinks it tastes like a grown up soda, which always makes me smile.

Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Questions, Answered

I get a lot of the same questions about this one, so let me run through the big ones honestly.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar With Lemon Help With Weight Loss?

Here's my honest take. Apple cider vinegar isn't a magic weight loss drink, and I'd be wary of anyone who tells you it is.

Some small studies suggest it may help you feel a little fuller and may have a small effect on blood sugar after meals, but the results are modest. I think of it as a light, refreshing drink that fits into balanced eating and regular movement, not a shortcut on its own.

What Is The Best Time To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar?

A lot of people like it first thing in the morning or before a meal, and that's when I usually have mine. The truth is there's no perfect time.

Pick whatever fits your routine and feels good for your stomach. If it bothers you on an empty stomach, try it with food instead.

Can I Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day?

For most people, a small amount each day is fine, and I have mine most mornings. The key is keeping it to about one tablespoon mixed into a full glass of water.

Too much can irritate your throat or wear at your tooth enamel over time. If you take medication or have a health condition, it's worth a quick chat with your doctor first.

Should Apple Cider Vinegar Always Be Diluted With Water?

Yes, always. This is the one rule I'd never skip. Straight apple cider vinegar is very acidic and can hurt your teeth, throat, and stomach. Mixing it into at least 8 oz of water keeps it gentle and much nicer to sip.

Recipes You May Like

If this simple sip is your thing, here are a few more easy drinks from my kitchen you might want to try:

• Try my Baking Soda Water Shot. It's another quick morning glass that takes barely a minute to mix.
• Give my Mushroom Coffee a look. It's a cozy swap for your regular cup that I've grown to love.
• Mix up a Pink Salt Drink For Weight Loss. It's a light, mineral rich sip that's just as easy to throw together.

Final Thoughts On This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

So there you have it. This apple cider vinegar drink is proof that something can be this quick, this simple, and still feel like a nice little moment in your morning.

I keep coming back to it because it's honest food at its most basic. A glass, a stir, real ingredients, and two minutes of my time. No fancy steps, no long list, no stress.

If you give it a try, start slow with the vinegar, keep it diluted, and make it your own with the swaps above. Then come back and tell me how you took yours. I always love hearing what you change up.