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- Ethan’s apple cider vinegar (ACV) shots claim to contain the optimal dose of good-for-you vinegar to boost your immune system.
- I’ve been taking them regularly and I credit them for keeping me safe from cold and flu season.
- Drinking vinegar may not seem appealing, but these actually taste good.
Who says a good-for-you shot has to involve a needle and pain? Certainly not the folks at Ethan’s.
The team behind Ethan’s believes that a small dose of the magical elixir that is apple cider vinegar (otherwise known as ACV) may have some health benefits that we’re missing out on. Though there’s not much science out there to prove it, it’s thought to be a great safeguard against cold and flu season (or quite honestly, any season), and I believe that these small yet mighty doses have done a pretty standup job at keeping me out of germs’ way.
So what exactly is an ACV shot? As the name suggests, it’s a 2-ounce serving of apple cider vinegar, which has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels and assist in weight loss, in some cases. Each shot has four teaspoons of vinegar, which contains antioxidants and polyphenols that are said to boost your body’s ability to fight off germs.
But it's difficult to take a few spoonfuls on its own every day. At Ethan's, rather than relying on a spoonful of sugar, the team has added tasty and healthy ingredients, like pineapple juice, ginger, honey, turmeric, maple syrup, and a whole host of other organic ingredients. In fact, all of Ethan's products are USDA certified organic, and gluten-free.
I'll admit that I was highly suspicious of my first ACV shot. While I'm generally of the opinion that no amount of acid is too much acid, downing a whole shot of vinegar seemed to push even the most adventurous of my culinary limits. But to my surprise (and relief), every shot I tried was more palatable than the last. My favorite so far has been the Turmeric Apple, which tastes like apple pie that sojourned on a life-changing bucket-list trip to the spice aisle and never left.
The shots are especially delightful when chilled, and if I'm honest, I've enjoyed them a time or two as a mixer with my favorite shot of liquor. Think of it as a healthy take on your favorite cocktail - no one will ever complain if you serve a vinegar-spiked margarita (trust me, I've tried).
Ethan's also makes medium chain triglycerides (MCT) shots that aim to boost energy immediately, though I haven't tried them yet. Both the AVC and MTC shots are are shelf-stable and housed in BPA-free glass packaging. You may not think that you need petite 2-ounce glass bottles in your life or pantry, but you'd be shocked at how wonderfully the bottles can double as clever spice, nut, or seed containers later on. And while you may think that the glass packaging is just a gimmick, Ethan's points out that, in keeping with its health-conscious values, glass was the far safer option as plastic packaging can be a source of chemical exposure and could leach into the shot.
I can't be certain that it'll work the same way for you that it did for me, but I credit Ethan's Apple Cider Vinegar Shots with keeping me from getting sick this season. Even if you're not interested in the health benefits, I can't recommend these shots highly enough for taste alone - they're sure to bring out the most creative mixologist in you.