During my childhood, I spent a lot of time at an Ashram in upstate NY. They had a drink called an Amrit Tonic that they always served in the winter. As a kid, I remember being scared by it because it was soooo intense, but it was an ultimate go-to for colds! Here’s my toned downed version of it. I actually like the way it tastes! It’s perfect for days like today in NYC. Gloomy, rainy, and cold.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water
1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoons lemon juice
2 shakes cayenne pepper
2 shakes turmeric
1 pinch black pepper
1/2 tsp ginger juice – optional*
honey to taste (or maple syrup if you’re vegan)

DIRECTIONS
Boil water. Turn off heat and add in the rest of the ingredients.

*To make ginger juice, grate ginger with a microplane or cheese grater. Squeeze grated ginger between your fingers to extract the juice.

There are so many reasons why this tonic is good for you. The turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and the black pepper helps make the active ingredient in turmeric (curcumin) more bioavailable. The cayenne is great for clearing out sinuses since it can help break up mucous and help with drainage. It’s also anti-inflammatory and a pain-inhibitor! Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your immunity, and it’s antimicrobial. Apple cider vinegar contains potassium, which thins mucus, and the acetic acid in it prevents germ growth. Ginger is anti-viral and honey has antimicrobial properties and adds some welcome sweetness to the drink. And, we all know that just drinking something hot can be so comforting when you’re not feeling well. If that’s not enough reasons to drink it, I don’t know what else to tell you!

Let me know how you like it and if you have any go-to home remedies for colds you’d like to share. <3 Samantha