I developed a simple Natural Detox recipe to help kickstart my metabolism and boost energy, and I’m excited to share the surprisingly accessible ingredients behind it.

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I reach for a tangy pick me up when my body needs a restart. The combo of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the mother) and unsweetened cranberry juice, not the sugary stuff, jolts my senses and makes my energy come back faster than a soda.

It has this bright, bitter, slightly sour hit that makes me actually notice my mood shift, like flipping a switch. Sometimes it helps, sometimes I still crash, but more often I feel cleaner and less blah afterwards.

For me its my go to Cranberry Detox

Ingredients

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Apple cider vinegar: Tart, tangy, contains acetic acid, no protein, often used to aid digestion.
Cranberry juice: Brightly tart, slightly sweet, provides carbs and antioxidants, low in fiber.
Lemon juice: Sharp sour note, high in vitamin C, almost zero calories or fat.
Ginger: Spicy warm root, gives heat and zing, trace nutrients, tiny calories.
Honey or maple syrup: Natural sweetener, mostly simple sugars, adds body and mellow sweetness.
Cinnamon: Fragrant warming spice, adds aroma and perceived sweetness, negligible calories.
Fresh cranberries garnish: Tart little berries, add chew and color, some fiber and antioxidants.
Mint sprig: Cool herb, brightens flavor and aroma, adds freshness with tiny nutrients.

Ingredient Quantities

1 to 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the mother)

1/2 cup (120 ml) unsweetened cranberry juice, not the sugary stuff

1 cup (240 ml) water, still or sparkling your call

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, optional for a bit of sweetness

Pinch of ground cinnamon or 1 small cinnamon stick, optional

Handful fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish, optional

Ice cubes, optional

Fresh mint sprig for garnish, optional

How to Make this

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1. Measure your stuff: 1 to 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the mother (start with 1 tbsp if youre new to ACV), 1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice, and 1 cup water still or sparkling your call.

2. In a tall glass or jar pour the apple cider vinegar, cranberry juice and water together.

3. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup if you want a bit of sweetness.

4. Sprinkle in a pinch of ground cinnamon or drop in 1 small cinnamon stick if you like that warm note.

5. Cover and shake or stir vigorously until the honey dissolves and everything is well combined, about 15 to 30 seconds.

6. Taste and tweak: too tart add a little more water or sweetener, too vinegary dilute with more water or use less ACV next time.

7. Add ice cubes if you want it cold, toss in a handful fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish and a sprig of fresh mint.

8. Serve right away, drink through a straw to protect tooth enamel and dont sip undiluted ACV. To make ahead mix the base (no ice) and refrigerate up to 48 hours, add fizz and garnish just before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Measuring spoons (tablespoon and teaspoon)
2. Liquid measuring cup (1 cup and 1/2 cup markings)
3. Tall glass or jar for mixing and serving
4. Small jar with a tight lid or cocktail shaker for shaking
5. Citrus juicer or reamer (or just a fork if you dont have one)
6. Microplane or small grater for fresh ginger
7. Long spoon or bar spoon for stirring
8. Ice cube tray and tongs or scoop
9. Small knife and cutting board for lemon and garnishes
10. Straw (recommended to protect tooth enamel)

FAQ

Q: How do I make this drink? A: Stir 1 to 2 Tbsp raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice, 1 cup water (still or sparkling), 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1 to 2 tsp honey or maple syrup if you want it sweeter. Add a pinch of cinnamon, ice, fresh cranberries and a mint sprig to fancy it up. Taste and tweak, start with 1 Tbsp ACV if you’re unsure.

Q: How much apple cider vinegar is safe to use? A: Stick to 1 to 2 tablespoons per serving. Drinking it undiluted can hurt your throat and tooth enamel, so always dilute. If you have health conditions or take meds, check with your doctor before using 2 Tbsp daily.

Q: Can I drink this every day? A: You can, but don’t overdo it. Once a day is fine for most folks, but long term heavy use might lower potassium or irritate your stomach. Use a straw, rinse your mouth after drinking and give your teeth a break from brushing for 30 minutes so enamel isn’t worn away.

Q: Can I swap ingredients or use sparkling water and frozen cranberries? A: Yep. Sparkling water works great for fizz. Frozen cranberries are fine for garnish. If you only have regular cranberry cocktail, it’ll be much sweeter and higher in sugar, so cut the added sweetener.

Q: Is this a detox or weight loss miracle? A: No magic here. It’s a tasty, low calorie drink that may help hydration and curb cravings a bit, but it won’t replace healthy eating and exercise. Don’t expect dramatic weight loss or a body cleanse from this alone.

Q: Who should avoid this drink or be careful? A: People on diuretics, insulin or some heart meds, and anyone on blood thinners like warfarin should talk to their doctor first because ACV or cranberry juice can affect meds or potassium levels. Also avoid if you have severe acid reflux or a bad stomach ulcer without medical advice, and kids should get a doc ok too.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Cranberry Detox Drink Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Apple cider vinegar: if you dont have raw ACV use white wine vinegar or rice vinegar 1 to 2 Tbsp, or swap in 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice for a bright tang, or try 2 Tbsp unflavored kombucha for that fermented bite.
Unsweetened cranberry juice: replace with pomegranate juice or tart cherry juice (same 1/2 cup), or blitz 1/2 cup fresh/frozen cranberries with 1/2 cup water and strain for a homemade version, or cooled hibiscus tea for a floral tartness.
Honey or maple syrup: use agave nectar or simple syrup in the same amount, or a few drops liquid stevia if you want zero sugar, or dissolve 1 tsp coconut sugar in warm water before adding.
Pinch of cinnamon: swap with a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg or allspice, or add 1 crushed green cardamom pod or a thin strip of orange peel for warm aromatic notes.

Pro Tips

– Make a ginger-honey syrup for smoother mixing: warm equal parts honey and water with the grated ginger and a cinnamon stick, strain and cool before adding. It mixes way better than straight honey and wont settle at the bottom.

– Mix the non-carbonated base ahead and chill, but add sparkling water, ice and garnishes only right before serving so you keep the fizz and fresh aromatics.

– Muddle a few fresh cranberries with mint for a brighter, fresher flavor, or freeze cranberries and use them as ice so the drink stays cold without getting watered down.

– Protect your teeth and stomach: drink through a straw, rinse your mouth with plain water after drinking and wait about 30 minutes before brushing; if ACV upsets your stomach try less vinegar or take it with a snack.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Cranberry Detox Drink Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I developed a simple Natural Detox recipe to help kickstart my metabolism and boost energy, and I'm excited to share the surprisingly accessible ingredients behind it.

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Measuring spoons (tablespoon and teaspoon)
2. Liquid measuring cup (1 cup and 1/2 cup markings)
3. Tall glass or jar for mixing and serving
4. Small jar with a tight lid or cocktail shaker for shaking
5. Citrus juicer or reamer (or just a fork if you dont have one)
6. Microplane or small grater for fresh ginger
7. Long spoon or bar spoon for stirring
8. Ice cube tray and tongs or scoop
9. Small knife and cutting board for lemon and garnishes
10. Straw (recommended to protect tooth enamel)

Ingredients

1 to 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
1/2 cup (120 ml) unsweetened cranberry juice, not the sugary stuff
1 cup (240 ml) water, still or sparkling your call
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, optional for a bit of sweetness
Pinch of ground cinnamon or 1 small cinnamon stick, optional
Handful fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish, optional
Ice cubes, optional
Fresh mint sprig for garnish, optional

Directions

Measure your stuff: 1 to 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the mother (start with 1 tbsp if youre new to ACV), 1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice, and 1 cup water still or sparkling your call.
In a tall glass or jar pour the apple cider vinegar, cranberry juice and water together.
Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup if you want a bit of sweetness.
Sprinkle in a pinch of ground cinnamon or drop in 1 small cinnamon stick if you like that warm note.
Cover and shake or stir vigorously until the honey dissolves and everything is well combined, about 15 to 30 seconds.
Taste and tweak: too tart add a little more water or sweetener, too vinegary dilute with more water or use less ACV next time.
Add ice cubes if you want it cold, toss in a handful fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish and a sprig of fresh mint.
Serve right away, drink through a straw to protect tooth enamel and dont sip undiluted ACV. To make ahead mix the base (no ice) and refrigerate up to 48 hours, add fizz and garnish just before serving.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.