You are going to love this apple cider vinegar and lemon juice recipe. It is quick and easy to make and has so many potential health benefits including being great for digestion and gut health, lowering blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and can even help with weight loss. It's the perfect drink to have in the morning or before bed.

Have you heard about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar? Apple cider vinegar, also known as ACV, contains probiotics as well as a variety of active flavonoids, including gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid.
Apple cider vinegar has has also been shown to help with weight loss, and body fat loss in those who are overweight.
It is also felt that apple cider vinegar can help with digestion and gut health. Apple cider vinegar may help raise the levels of stomach acid, which is felt to aid in digestion and help with issues such as acid reflux, bloating and indigestion. It also has antimicrobial properties, which could influence the bacteria in the intestinal tract. However, to date, no studies have been done examining these specific health claims.
However, the taste of apple cider vinegar can be a bit harsh and bitter and apple cider vinegar can also erode the enamel of your teeth if you drink it straight, so you are better off mixing it with other ingredients to not only improve the taste, but also make it less harsh on your teeth and easier to swallow. That is why is created this delicious ACV drink recipe!
Why you will love this recipe:
- This apple cider vinegar drink recipe is healthy and high in vitamin C and could help improve your blood sugar levels, and lipid profile.
- This simple drink is so quick and easy to make and is made using pantry staple ingredients including lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and honey.
- This apple cider vinegar and lemon water drink is ready in just a few minutes!
- You don't need a blender to make this drink.
- This is such a refreshing drink that is the perfect way to start your day, but is also great to serve in the spring or summer to help quench your thirst.
- This recipe is refined sugar free, gluten free and dairy free and can easily be made vegan.
Taste and texture:
This vinegar drink is slightly sweet, a little lemony, and a little tart. It has a nice smooth texture and is so light and refreshing.
Key ingredients and substitutions:
For the full ingredient list and amounts, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Apple cider vinegar - I recommend using raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with mother for making this drink. I personally love using Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, which is raw, unfiltered and organic, but any brand of apple cider vinegar that you like will work.
- Lemon juice - lemon juice helps neutralize the tartness of the apple cider vinegar. It also helps add vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals to this drink. I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice to make this drink.
- Honey - honey adds a bit of natural sweetness to help contrast the tartness of the vinegar and lemon juice and keep it refined sugar free. I recommend using raw, unpasteurized honey if possible. You could also use Manuka honey, maple syrup or date syrup instead.
How to make this recipe:
Step one:
Step two:
Tips:
- To help protect the enamel of your teeth from the acid, drink this apple cider vinegar detox drink with a straw - I recommend using a reusable stainless steel straw to help cut down on plastic waste.
- Feel free to double or triple this recipe if you are serving a crowd or want leftovers to help with your weekly meal prep.
Recipe variations:
- Instead of honey you can sweeten this drink with maple syrup or date syrup.
- To make it lower in sugar decrease the honey to half a teaspoon or make it with no honey at all to make it with no sugar.
- To make this apple cider vinegar lemon drink vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- To turn this into apple cider vinegar lemonade, add a full tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to make it sweeter.
- To give this drink even more anti-inflammatory properties, add a bit of ginger or turmeric.
- If you want to add a little heat or spice, add a bit of cayenne pepper to your drink.
- If you prefer to take this drink as a shot, decrease the amount of water to 3 tablespoons.
How to serve:
Most people recommend having apple cider vinegar and lemon juice in the morning or before bed, but you can drink it any time that you like including before or after meals, on an empty stomach, or a full stomach.
This drink is best served cold right after you make it. You could add some ice if you prefer to sip on it and drink it slowly.
How to store:
This recipe is best served right away, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition info:
This drink recipe has approximately 31 calories per serving with 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of protein, 0 grams of fiber, 8 grams of total carbohydrates and 8 grams of net carbs. It is healthy, low sugar, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and refined sugar free. It would not be considered keto unless you decrease or omit the honey or maple syrup.
Frequently asked questions:
You can drink it any time of day. Some people say that drinking it in the morning or before bed is ideal, but it really doesn't matter when you drink it.
Yes you can!
There have been a couple studies looking at the effects of apple cider vinegar on weight loss and both have shown that it can helpful for weight loss and reducing body fat.
As long as you make this drink with maple syrup instead of honey it will be vegan.
The mother is the organism that ferments the vinegar and provides probiotics.
Other recipes you will love:
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Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- In a tall glass or jar, combine the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, and water.
- Whisk or cover with a lid and shake vigorously to combine the ingredients.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is best served right away, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.Â
- Instead of honey you can sweeten this drink with maple syrup or date syrup.
- To make it lower in sugar decrease the honey to half a teaspoon or make it with no honey at all to make it with no sugar.
- To make this drink vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- If you prefer to take this drink as a shot, decrease the amount of water to 3 tablespoons.
Nutrition
References:
- The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
- Vinegar intake reduces body weight, body fat mass, and serum triglyceride levels in obese Japanese subjects.
- Beneficial effects of Apple Cider Vinegar on weight management, Visceral Adiposity Index and lipid profile in overweight or obese subjects receiving restricted calorie diet: A randomized clinical trial
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