If you’re looking for a simple, refreshing drink to start your morning, this apple ginger lemon drink is one of the easiest you can make. It uses three everyday ingredients, takes about 20 minutes, and gives you two servings.
You may have seen this recipe shared on Pinterest as a “colon cleanse.” We’ve updated it to be more honest: no drink can “cleanse” your colon or flush out toxins — your liver, kidneys and gut already do that job very well. What this drink can do is help you drink more fluids, add some fruit to your morning, and give you a warm, gentle ginger kick that many people find soothing for their stomach.
Why These 3 Ingredients Work Well Together
Apple
Apples provide fiber, vitamin C and plant compounds called polyphenols. The fiber is the most useful part for digestion — which is why we recommend blending the whole apple instead of juicing it (more on that below).
Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, the compound that gives it its warm, spicy taste. Ginger is well studied for easing nausea, and many people find it calming for an upset or bloated stomach.
Lemon
Lemon adds vitamin C and a fresh, sour taste that makes the drink enjoyable without added sugar. It’s an easy way to make water more appealing if you struggle to drink enough during the day.
Apple Ginger Lemon Drink Recipe
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 1 apple
- About 2–3 cm (1 inch) fresh ginger root
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- Honey, optional, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the ginger thinly, add it to the water and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and let the ginger water cool for about 15 minutes.
- Core the apple and cut it into pieces (no need to peel).
- Squeeze the juice from the lemon.
- Add the apple, lemon juice and cooled ginger water (you can strain out the ginger slices) to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. Add honey if you like it sweeter.
Tip: blend, don’t juice. Juicing removes most of the apple’s fiber. Blending the whole apple keeps it, which makes the drink more filling and better for digestion. If the texture is too thick, add a little more water.
What This Drink Can (and Can’t) Do
It can:
- Help you get more fluids and some fruit into your morning
- Add a little fiber, especially if you blend the whole apple
- Feel soothing if ginger agrees with your stomach
- Replace a sugary breakfast drink or soda
It can’t:
- “Detox” your liver or “cleanse” your colon
- Burn belly fat — no single food or drink targets fat in one area
- Replace treatment for digestive problems
If your goal is better digestion, the habits that actually make a difference are enough fiber from vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains, enough water, regular movement, and good sleep. This drink is a nice way to support those habits — not a shortcut around them.
Tips and Variations
- Make it warm: skip the cooling step and drink it as a warm ginger-apple tea in winter.
- Add greens: a handful of spinach blends in easily and adds extra fiber.
- Protect your teeth: lemon is acidic, so rinse your mouth with water afterward and wait 30 minutes before brushing.
- Storage: keep it in a closed jar in the fridge and drink within 24 hours.
A note from Dr. Angela
Ginger is generally safe in food amounts, but if you take blood thinners, have gallstones, or are pregnant and drinking ginger daily, check with your doctor first. And if you have ongoing constipation, bloating that doesn’t go away, blood in your stool, or unexplained weight loss, please don’t try to fix it with drinks — see a doctor so the cause can be found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink this every day?
Yes, for most healthy adults one glass a day is fine as part of a balanced diet. Just count the apple and any honey as part of your daily fruit and sugar.
Will this drink help me lose weight?
Not on its own. It can help if it replaces a higher-calorie drink like juice, soda or a sweet coffee, but weight loss comes from your overall eating pattern and activity.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh?
Yes. Use about ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger and stir it straight into the blender — no boiling needed.
More Easy Drinks to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, save it to your Pinterest board so you have it ready for tomorrow morning!
It would be nice to have accurate measurements. The ginger “half” is quite a large piece of ginger if you have ever seen the whole root. And there was no water measurement to boil said ginger.
“You should” get two servings is quite vague as well.
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