Winter means longer nights and darker days. It’s the season for getting cozy with friends and family, breaking out the board games and movie marathons, and cooking up vats of hearty stews that stick to your ribs and keep you toasty as the temperature drops.
I love a comforting bowl of pasta as much as the next person, but occasionally I end up feeling as if I’d rather spend the day watching a Netflix show than out on a brisk hike or in a gentle yoga class.
As winter winds down and spring approaches, it’s time to seek out energizing food and drink options. That’s where this elixir comes in. Raw apple cider vinegar is a golden gift to the digestive system. It contains the mother of vinegar, which is a cloud of beneficial bacteria (rich with probiotics and prebiotics) that can help you stabilize blood sugar, maintain a healthy appetite, and better absorb the nutrients in your food. When your gut’s microbiome is supported and thriving, your brain, heart, and skin health can all be improved.
For optimal health benefits, it’s recommended to drink 1–2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar each day. However, anyone who’s tasted apple cider vinegar knows it’s not the most appetizing drink option. Luckily, this recipe combines the gut-boosting power of apple cider vinegar with other tasty ingredients, resulting in a bubbly pick-me-up perfect for that 3 p.m. slump.
Pairing yuzu (a Japanese citrus that tastes like a combination of grapefruit and lime), sweet hydrating coconut water, and raw apple cider vinegar, this alcohol-free Sunrise Sparkler is energizing, bright, and delicious—the perfect treat to keep you healthy through the final weeks of winter.
Sunrise Sparkler
Ingredients
- 1 can (8.45 oz.) Trader Joe’s Sparkling Coconut Water with Yuzu
- ½ oz. raw apple cider vinegar (I love local, organic brand Apple State Vinegar)
- ½ oz. fresh lemon or lime juice
- Lemon or lime wedge for garnish
Directions
- Fill a 16 oz. glass with ice.
- Add vinegar and lemon juice.
- Top with sparkling coconut water and stir.
- Garnish with lemon.
- Enjoy!
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