I normally suggest using another sweetener of choice or say that the sweetener is optional, however the healing benefits of raw honey in this specific beverage (especially because of what it is geared toward) is unmatched with other options. If you are hardcore vegan, I recommend simply leaving the honey out instead of using a different sweetener, as the benefits of this potent brew will still be great. If you really need to add sweetener to offset the potency, maple syrup would be my next best recommendation. Note: The honey in this recipe is not included for flavor, but rather for its medicinal qualities.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 inches fresh ginger root, sliced
- 1½ cups filtered water
- 2 tbsp raw honey
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions:
Put the vinegar, lemon juice, ginger root and water into a small saucepan and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. This is not something you want to leave too long, as the vinegar will lose its potency and medicinal benefits when cooked at length. Once it reaches the desired temperature, remove from heat, strain into a mug, add the honey and cayenne, if desired, and slowly sip in the healing.
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Excerpted from Healing Tonics, Juices, and Smoothies, Jessica Jean Weston, Skyhorse Publishing, 2017.