“Ma had sent them ginger-water. She had sweetened the cool well-water with sugar, flavored it with vinegar, and put in plenty of ginger to warm their stomachs so they could drink till they were not thirsty. Ginger-water would not make them sick, as plain cold water would when they were so hot. Such a treat made that ordinary day into a special day, the first day that Laura helped in the haying.” –The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Growing up the child of a naturopath means being a wee bit of a human guinea pig. My sister and I (and our friends!), were taste testers for various versions of lentil burgers and bean sprout concoctions, among other healthy goodies. (Don't tell mum but we sometimes envied our friends with their chemical-flavored popsicles!)

But one of the things I always liked trying out were the various concoctions of apple cider vinegar sweetened with honey and spiced with some fresh or ground ginger and other spices. Yes, back then in the 70’s and 80’s in New Zealand, we were already chugging down ACV! We also loved ginger, lemon, and honey drinks, hot in the winter and cold in the summer!

May and June have been unseasonably hot in Oregon. It’s weird to have hot weather so early, but the arrival of the higher temperatures means it’s time to start thinking about lemonade and lazing around this summer! (By lazing around I usually mean lots of farm chores!) As lavender farmers, we love to experiment with lavender lemonade, sweetened with stevia and sometimes our own raw honey. Lemonade is delicious and thirst quenching when you’ve been working outside on a hot day. (Hey, that lavender doesn’t weed itself!)  

But sometimes a change is a good thing, so I was delighted to be reintroduced to yummy health drinks based on apple cider vinegar while reviewing a copy of Trim Healthy Mama, a diet book written by two expat Kiwis that has gone viral. I’ll talk more about Trim Healthy Mama later, but for now, I wanted to share my version of their “Good Girl Moonshine.”

Based on old recipes from 300 years ago for ginger switchel or haymakers punch, Good Girl Moonshine is a blend of apple cider vinegar (I prefer Braggs Organic!), ground or fresh ginger, Stevia, and of course water and ice. Old-fashioned versions use any type of sweetener (honey, molasses, maple syrup, or sugar), so choose whatever works for you and your holistic nutrition goals. 

Basic Ginger Switchel

• Organic apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Ginger Zingiber officinale ground: 1 teaspoon or make fresh ginger juice and use up to 1 tablespoon to taste (I’ll write up the instructions for fresh ginger juice shortly!)
• Sweetener: Add to taste. I use stevia simple syrup for myself and love raw honey for the kids
• Filtered water and ice: To fill 1 quart jar

Get a quart jar. Fill with ice. Add ACV, ginger or ginger juice, and sweetener. Add filtered water to fill. Add more sweetener to taste. Stir well. That’s it. Super easy!

PurpleBee Lavender Lemonade Moonshine

• Organic apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Ginger Zingiber officinale ground: 1 teaspoon or up to 1 tablespoon fresh ginger juice
• Lavender Lavandula angustifolia fresh or dried: ½ teaspoon
• Juice of ½ an organic lemon
• Sweetener: Add to taste. I love Stevia simple syrup or raw honey for the kids
• Filtered water and ice: To fill 1 quart jar 

Get a quart jar. Fill with ice. Add all ingredients. Add filtered water to fill. Add more sweetener to taste. Stir well. Presto!

Ginger Lemonade

• Organic apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Ginger Zingiber officinale ground: 1 teaspoon or up to 1 tablespoon fresh ginger juice
• Juice of ½ an organic lemon
• Sweetener: Add to taste. I love Stevia simple syrup or raw honey for the kids
• Filtered water and ice: To fill 1 quart jar

Get a quart jar. Fill with ice. Add all ingredients. Add filtered water to fill. Add sweetener to taste. Stir well, and enjoy a refreshing summer libation!

Health Benefits

Apple cider vinegar is alkalizing and helps support your detox organs including kidneys, liver, and bowels. Recent research has also shown apple cider vinegar’s activity against Candida.[1]

By using Stevia, you’re lowering your sugar and carb intake, particularly if you’re replacing soda or other sweetened drinks like sweetened iced tea.

Staying hydrated can also help you avoid unwanted calories. You’ll feel virtuous and clean for your good choices!

So what’s in your pitcher and Mason jar this summer? Share your healthy drink tips in the comments! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am the CIO of American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

[1] Mota, A., de Castro, R., de Araújo Oliveira, J., & de Oliveira Lima, E. (2014). Antifungal activity of apple cider vinegar on candida species involved in denture stomatitis. Journal of Prosthodontics, doi:10.1111/jopr.12207. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jopr.12207/abstract;jsessionid=9FA3283B986258681A93CB3B919B1AD0.f01t03