How to Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (and Why You Should)

You've probably read about drinking apple cider vinegar for its health benefits—you may also have heard it can be harmful. Our guide aims to clear up the confusion, and shares an apple cider vinegar drink if you're curious to try it.

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Apple cider vinegar is a natural product made from apples that are crushed and fermented, which creates a host of good bacteria. The result is a vinegar, rich in acetic acid compounds, long used as a folk remedy for a variety of health benefits. While you can enjoy potential benefits just by cooking with apple cider vinegar, you can also try an apple cider vinegar drink recipe—with some caveats. By the way, here’s the difference between white and apple cider vinegar.

Potential Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

While apple cider vinegar has been a folk remedy for a long time, scientists are still researching its benefits. They may help with:

Common Apple Cider Vinegar Questions:

Can I Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day?

Many proponents of ACV advise taking 1-2 tablespoons daily, whether in a drink or with food. As with any remedy, you should check with your doctor first, especially if you’re pregnant.

Is It Better To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar in the Morning or at Night?

Sip your apple cider vinegar drink first thing in the morning or right before a meal. Taken before a meal, the vinegar drink can help you feel full faster, which can aid in weight loss. Take a look at these unexpected ways to use apple cider vinegar around the house.

Should I Take a Shot of Apple Cider Vinegar?

No! Taking a shot of vinegar alone is an acidic blast that can harm the enamel of your teeth and even damage your esophagus and lungs. The key is to dilute the vinegar in water. Here are some other common mistakes to avoid when taking apple cider vinegar.

Can You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar on an Empty Stomach?

Yes, you can drink diluted apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. In fact, it’s the recommended way to take ACV. Just wait about 20 minutes or so after drinking apple cider vinegar to eat.

How to Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

The ratio:

Even diluted, the vinegar drink may not taste fabulous, so you can add a squeeze of honey and/or a dash of cinnamon or ginger.

Sip the drink slowly. If you’re drinking ACV daily, you may want to drink through a straw to prevent wearing the enamel of your teeth. Next, check out some of our favorite homemade beauty recipes.

It’s easy to make healthy eating part of your everyday routine with these five-ingredient healthy recipes.

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Kelsey Rae Dimberg
A former in-house editor at Taste of Home, Kelsey now writes, cooks and travels from her home base of Chicago. After going gluten-free over a decade ago, Kelsey turned to home cooking and baking as a way to recreate her favorite foods. Her specialties include gluten-free sourdough bread, pizza and pastry. When not wrangling her toddler, she enjoys reading, watching old movies and writing. Her debut novel, Girl in the Rearview Mirror, was published by William Morrow in 2019, and her second is forthcoming.