I never thought a glass of warm water with a few simple add ins could make such a difference in how I feel before breakfast. But here we are. This Dr Phil diabetes recipe has become part of my morning routine, and honestly, I look forward to it now.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Like This Recipe
- Ingredients For The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
- How To Make The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe Step By Step
- Storage And Prep Tips
- Variations And Tips For The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions About The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
- Recipes You May Like
- A Simple Morning Drink The Whole Family Can Try
- Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
It all started a few months ago when my friend texted me about a wellness drink she saw on the Dr. Phil show. I was skeptical at first. A drink with apple cider vinegar, lemon, and cinnamon? Sounded like something that would taste terrible. But I made it anyway, and I was surprised. It actually tasted good. Tangy, warm, and a little spicy from the cinnamon.
Donald even tried it one morning and said it reminded him of a warm lemonade with a kick. Alex made a face after smelling the vinegar, but Sarah actually asked for a sip. Kids are funny like that.
What I love most about this drink is how simple it is. Five minutes, a few real ingredients, and you have something that fits right into a healthy morning. No fancy equipment, no long prep, just a glass and a spoon. If you are looking for more simple wellness ideas, you might also enjoy my pink salt recipe for weight loss or my popular lemon balm recipe that is just as easy to put together.
Why You Will Like This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes with zero cooking required
- Uses only 4 pantry friendly ingredients you probably already have
- Low calorie (just 12 calories per glass) so it fits into almost any eating plan
- Warm and tangy with a gentle cinnamon spice that makes it actually enjoyable to drink
- Easy to adjust to your taste with optional ginger or stevia
- A simple addition to a balanced morning routine the whole family can try
Ingredients For The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
- 1 cup warm or room temperature water
- 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (make sure it says "with the mother" on the label)
- Juice of ½ fresh lemon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Optional: 2 to 3 drops liquid stevia
A quick note on the vinegar. I always use Bragg's because it is easy to find at most grocery stores here in Manhattan, but any raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar works. The cloudy stuff at the bottom is the "mother," and that is the part you want.
For the lemon, please use a real lemon. I tried bottled lemon juice once and the taste was flat. Fresh lemon makes all the difference.

How To Make The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe Step By Step
Mix The Base
Pour 1 cup of warm water into your glass. You want it warm, not hot. Think of a comfortable drinking temperature, like a mild tea. I usually just run the tap until it gets warm enough.
Add The Vinegar And Lemon
Pour in 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar. Then squeeze in the juice from half a fresh lemon. I like to squeeze it over my hand to catch any seeds. (Learned that the hard way after fishing a seed out of my glass more than once.)
Season With Cinnamon
Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. If you are adding the optional ginger, grate it in now too. The ginger gives it a nice little warmth that I really enjoy on cold mornings.
Stir And Serve
Stir everything well. Cinnamon likes to float on top, so give it a good mix until it is blended in. Taste it. If it is too tart for you, add 2 to 3 drops of liquid stevia to take the edge off.
Sip this before your first meal of the day. One thing I always do is rinse my mouth with plain water after finishing. The vinegar and lemon are acidic, and rinsing helps protect your teeth. My dentist told me this tip and I have been doing it ever since.
Storage And Prep Tips
This drink is best made fresh each morning. It takes less than five minutes, so there is really no need to make it ahead of time.
If you want to speed up your mornings, you can pre squeeze your lemon juice the night before and keep it in a small jar in the fridge. That shaves off about a minute and makes it even easier when you are half awake and rushing to get the kids ready for school.
I would not recommend mixing the full drink ahead because the cinnamon settles and the vinegar loses its punch when it sits too long.

Variations And Tips For The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
Here is what I have learned after making this drink almost every day for months.
- Start slow with the vinegar. If you are new to apple cider vinegar drinks, begin with just 1 teaspoon instead of a full tablespoon. Your stomach will thank you. I started small and worked my way up over a week or so.
- Try it with warm green tea instead of plain water for a different taste. I did this a few times and it was really nice.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. Donald loves this version. I think it is a bit much for me, but he drinks it every morning now.
- Swap the stevia for a tiny drizzle of raw honey if you prefer a more natural sweetness. Just keep in mind it adds a few extra calories.
- Use lime instead of lemon for a change. Sarah actually prefers the lime version. Have you tried lime in a warm drink before? It gives it a slightly different citrus note that is really refreshing.
One thing to avoid: do not use ground cinnamon that has been sitting in your pantry for three years. Fresh cinnamon has so much more flavor. I replaced mine recently and the difference was night and day.
If you enjoy simple wellness recipes like this, you should also check out the gelatin trick recipe and the bariatric gelatin recipe for more ideas. I have also been getting questions about what the 3 ingredients in the gelatin trick are, so that post breaks it all down.
For something with a similar cinnamon warmth but in a fun dessert form, try my cinnamon sugar pizza made with crescent rolls. The kids go crazy for it.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
What Is In The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe?
The Dr Phil diabetes recipe is made with just four simple ingredients: warm water, raw apple cider vinegar with the mother, fresh lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. You can also add freshly grated ginger and a few drops of liquid stevia if you want. I make it with all six ingredients because I like the extra warmth from the ginger. Everything is easy to find at any grocery store.
When Is The Best Time To Drink The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe?
Most people, including me, drink it first thing in the morning before eating breakfast. Sipping it on a mostly empty stomach seems to work best for me. I usually make mine right after I start the coffee pot, and by the time I am done with the drink, coffee is ready. It fits right into my routine without adding any extra time.
Can You Drink The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe Every Day?
Yes, many people enjoy it as a daily habit. I have been drinking it almost every morning for months now and it has become as automatic as brushing my teeth. If you have any health concerns or take medication, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor first. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, just sharing what works for my family.
Does The Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe Help Support Healthy Habits?
This drink is a lifestyle friendly addition to a balanced routine. It is not a treatment or a cure for anything, but it is a simple way to start your morning with real, whole ingredients. I think of it the same way I think of my morning walk. It is one small positive choice that sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you are looking for more small healthy habits, my jello diet post and the lipojaro jello recipe are worth a read too. Even the gelatin trick has been a fun one to try.
Recipes You May Like
- Pineapple Green Smoothie A refreshing green smoothie that pairs perfectly with a healthy morning routine, just like this drink.
- Creamy Mango Banana Smoothie Another quick and easy morning drink the whole family enjoys. Alex asks for this one every weekend.
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie A simple smoothie packed with good stuff that takes just a few minutes to blend up.
A Simple Morning Drink The Whole Family Can Try
This Dr Phil diabetes recipe has honestly become one of the easiest parts of my morning. Five minutes, real ingredients, and I feel like I am starting the day on the right foot. It is nothing fancy and that is exactly why I love it.
If you are looking for a small, simple change to add to your routine, give this a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. And if your kids give you a funny look when they see you drinking warm vinegar water? Just tell them it is a secret potion. That is what I told Alex and he thought it was hilarious.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we do! Let me know how it turns out for you. And do not forget to save this to Pinterest so you can find it again later.
Print
Dr Phil Diabetes Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
A simple warm morning drink made with apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and cinnamon. Ready in just 5 minutes with real, whole ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm or room temperature water
- 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (make sure it says "with the mother" on the label)
- Juice of ½ fresh lemon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Optional: 2 to 3 drops liquid stevia
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of warm water into your glass. You want it warm, not hot, like a comfortable drinking temperature similar to a mild tea.
- Pour in 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar.
- Squeeze in the juice from half a fresh lemon. Squeeze it over your hand to catch any seeds.
- Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. If you are adding the optional ginger, grate it in now too.
- Stir everything well. Cinnamon likes to float on top, so give it a good mix until it is blended in.
- Taste it. If it is too tart for you, add 2 to 3 drops of liquid stevia to take the edge off.
- Sip this before your first meal of the day.
- Rinse your mouth with plain water after finishing to protect your teeth from the acidity.
Notes
Start slow with the vinegar if you are new to it, begin with just 1 teaspoon and work your way up. Use fresh lemon instead of bottled for the best flavor. Make sure your ground cinnamon is fresh for the most flavor. This drink is best made fresh each morning. You can pre squeeze lemon juice the night before to save time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American





