In this post I’m going to show you how to make Cherry VinTea Cooler: a healthy, delicious, and refreshing drink using apple cider vinegar, that tastes surprisingly like a Snapple!
I’ve taken up a lot of habits in my lifetime, some of them have even been worthwhile! Today I’m going to share with you a new habit of mine that I’ve been doing regularly for about a month now: Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).
Now don’t go scrunching up your face. This is old time medicine according to my grandparents. Folks have been doing it for ages, all the way back to Hippocrates, who considered ACV to be medicine and used it to treat ailments.
This is just one of the ACV drinks I’ve been drinking lately but folks on Instagram said they’d like some of my recipes so I’m starting here. I decided to call it VinTea because it is a Vinegar based Tea drink that just makes your taste buds sing. Think of what a splash of lemon juice does to a drink and you’ll understand the effect you get by adding ACV, they do pretty much the same thing but with slightly different flavors. I have other VinTeas I may bring you later on but this is one my husband enjoys as much as I do so it’s a good start.
There have been several studies showing the benefits of ACV, just do a quick internet search to find dozens. Some have shown it helps contribute to weight loss, others have proven that it regulates blood sugar when taken with or before a meal. For me, personally, I can tell you that these drinks have helped me curb my desire for junk food and cokes (which is Alabama for all carbonated beverages). Use that good kind with the “mother” at the bottom (Braggs is my favorite) and you’re getting a powerful dose of probiotics with every sip. I can use any of these reasons and more to encourage you to drink it, but today’s reason is that this Cherry VinTea is absolutely delicious!
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I’ll start in on the recipe in just a second but I need to update y’all on a few goings on in my life first. If you’d like just the recipe, jump ahead to the next picture now and start there.
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You’re still here? Well goodness, thank you, I sure do appreciate it! Let’s chat!
This is spring break for my kids. What does that mean? Well, pretty much that they don’t have school and that’s about it. Now how they use that time, well that is up to them. Katy and her friend, Sara Jane, have been busy blowing bubbles, playing dolls, drawing with sidewalk chalk, and today they are starting an online computer programming class.
Brady has been practicing his snare. He starts in the house and then when I need a break from it, he heads out into the yard for a bit. Eventually, though, he comes back in because he is afraid our neighbors will mistake his constant drumming for machine gun fire and think the neighborhood is under siege. See what a considerate young man I’m raising?
Many of you have been following our ordeal of losing our dog and, literally, thousands rejoiced with us when she came back last Friday so I thought I’d share that news here in case any of you didn’t know.
This past Friday, my husband went to take the dogs out (yes, we have an extra dog now, more on that in a minute). As soon as he opened the door, Sweetie rushed up the back stairs and into the house. He yelled “SWEETIE’S BACK!”. I was sitting in another room at my computer and I just froze, because for nearly two weeks I had held my breath every morning hoping he would say that, so part of me thought I was imagining it.
Then, I heard it a second time “SWEETIE IS BACK! SHE’S HERE”. I heard her little paws clicking on the floor as she ran in search of me and then a tiny black figure burst into my lap. There was a moment of disbelief even then, but such joy at the same time! This sweet puppy, that I had prayed over, fretted over, went through so many possible scenarios in my mind over what could have happened to her, and just begged God to keep her safe no matter where she was, was back.
Our entire house erupted with joy, even from the “new guy”. Sweetie was even affectionate with the whole family, licking faces and wagging her tail. This isn’t her usual behavior. She is affectionate with me but pretty reserved when it comes to everyone else.
We have a special bond because I am the one who went and picked her up from the vet after she was rescued from a puppy mill. At that point, she had never been petted or loved on. She would go completely stiff and look terrified if you even reached to touch her. For the first several weeks, it was just me and her here (with our other dog, Zoey, of course) and I would sit in a chair near her crate and work on my computer, speaking softly and reassuringly to her throughout the day. After about the first week, she came up and sat beside me one day. I let her sit there for a few minutes and then reached down to pet her. WHOOSH she was gone, back into her crate. The next day, she came up again. I didn’t try to pet her but just let her sit beside me, up against my leg as I worked and talked to her. She and I did that dance for a few days until she finally let me pet her without running off. By the second week, she was actually enjoying being loved on and from there this dog has made a remarkable turnaround into being one of the most affectionate pups I have as far as I’m concerned.
Well now, she’s like that with everyone, not just me. Even if she wasn’t though, we’re still thrilled to have her back. It really does feel like the prodigal dog returned!
I took her to the vet and found that what I thought was a rash on her stomach is severe bruising, but her bloodwork was fine and she has no broken bones or signs of pain. Still, under the vet’s suggestion we are giving her an antibiotic and pain pill for a bit just as a precaution. Poor baby was gone twelve days and we may never know what happened to our Sweetie but I can confidently say that everyone involved is glad she’s home!
And now for the other guy… Pick. During one of my many trips to Animal Control to look for Sweetie, this little charmer caught my eye. I took a video of him and came home to post it on my Facebook wall in hopes of someone going and adopting him (you can see it by clicking here). Well wouldn’t you know it, I just couldn’t get him off my mind and so the next morning I told Katy “I think we should go get that dog and foster him. We can let him live here while we see about finding him a home.”
Katy was all for it and we immediately agreed that “Pick” was his name due to the “Pick me Pick me Pick me!” dance he was doing the day before when we met him (in that video).
Of course, Pick did not seem the least bit surprised when we showed up. I believe he knew that he was going to be our dog the moment he saw us. We brought him home and he immediately charmed every single member of our family. Even Brady, who isn’t much of a dog person, kept saying “Ma, I love this dog! We have GOT to keep this dog!”. When Ricky came home, Pick ran to the door in excitement and did his little “Pick Me” dance until Ricky picked him up, where he covered his face with doggie kisses and wagged his tail. Keep in mind, this was the first time Pick had ever met Ricky! My poor husband never stood a chance.
The next day, not even 24 hours after filling out the papers to foster him, we filled out the papers to adopt him. That was Thursday. Sweetie came home Friday. I think this was God’s plan all along.
You can see photos of Pick, Sweetie, and our happy little family all reunited again on my Instagram by clicking here if you’d like.
Sweetie was surprised at meeting Pick the first time and she’s made sure he knows the pecking order, but Pick is perfectly happy with that and he and Sweetie have become friends. Zoey welcomed him to the family by giving him a bath (she is our little mother hen dog and bathes every animal in this house, including the cats), and we are all settled in together, everyone home where they need to be, with one more little soul to love.
I’m so grateful for them all, and especially for you and all of your prayers, understanding, and encouragement while we searched for our missing Sweetie.
And Now, as promised, my VinTea recipe!
To begin with, you need Apple Cider Vinegar (preferably this brand)*, Black Cherry Berry Tea (all the grocery stores I have checked have it), and sweetener. I am using Truvia but you can use Splenda, sugar, or even honey if you like.
*I have found Bragg’s at Krogers and Walmart. It is getting to be pretty mainstream now so you should be able to find it near you. I pay about $5 for this bottle and a bottle lasts me about two weeks with heavy drinking. ~giggles~ Hey y’all, look at me, I’m a heavy drinker! hee hee.
Place two tea bags in a quart jar or coffee cup and pour about a cup or a cup and a half of hot hot water over them. Allow to steep for a good bit, about fifteen minutes. You want this stuff strong!
I just start out with a quart jar because it has plenty of room for me to add ice and my other ingredients, then fill it up the rest of the way with water. Stick a straw in and you’re good to go!
Plus, quart jars are cheap, easy to find, and have a multitude of uses so I always feel like canning jars are a great investment.
After it has brewed toss out your bags and add your sweetener. We want to add this while it is warm because some sweeteners are not as easily dissolved as others.
Stirry! Stirry! Stirry!
Add in your Apple Cider Vinegar.
I’m just adding about two tablespoons, or two good splashes if you will. You can add less or more depending on your tastes but I wouldn’t start out with more than two tablespoons in a quart jar. You don’t want it to taste like you’re drinking Easter egg dye. Don’t worry!! It won’t!!! Seriously!! Oh man, now I’ve just made some you panic. Hang in there, be brave, be strong, be adventurous with me.
This drink is delicious. Honest!
Now, fill your glass up with ice (some of it will melt), add water to get it to the top, pop in a straw and enjoy your VinTea!
Ingredients
- 2 Black Cherry Berry tea bags
- 2 Tablespoons Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sweetener to taste I use 3 packs of Truvia. You can use sugar, honey, splenda, etc
Instructions
- In quart jar, steep two tea bags in a cup of hot water for fifteen minutes. Remove tea bags.
- Stir in sweetener and apple cider vinegar until sweetener is dissolved.
- Fill glass with ice and water until it reaches the top. Enjoy!
“I don’t mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited!”
~Unknown 🙂
You might also enjoy this recipe! Apple Orchard Snack Cake
Yum 
Yep, God’s plans are so mysterious until they are revealed and then it’s that AHA! moment. I was thinking the same thing when Sweetie came home. Giving you just enough time to love Pick. Good one Sweetie!
I was so happy to hear Sweetie came, I have an aging almost 16 year old dog, Cheeky, I took a trip for a week, when I came back she would not come to me, she has been reclusive, it’s as if she has alsheimers, she is no longer the interactive, affectionate, loyal dog she was, she interacts with family but not me, I took her to the vet & nothing is wrong with her. I was very sad, but I love her so much anyway, I couldn’t imagine what I would do if she were to get lost. So happy your Sweetie came back home. Cordially, Shelia
I am excited to try this tea out! Thanks also for the update on Sweetie and Pick’s story – so glad it all worked out so perfectly!!
Hmmm…I going to trust you on this, Christy, and maybe give it a try! I imagine it tastes slightly like Kombucha, but not as strong.
This tea looks absolutely wonderful and so refreshing! Perfect for the upcoming super HOT summer days 😉 I love that Black Cherry Tea hot, so I bet it’s even better cold- so going to be trying this one real soon!! 🙂
It’s beyond wonderful that your little Sweetie came back. My family and I were thinking about and praying for y’all those days when she was missing. We are animal people here too, and we totally understand how they become a part of the family. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats 🙂 God was working, though and He knew all along that she’d be back in your arms- I’m sure He was smiling real big when you all were reunited!
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Many, many blessings to you and your family (including those sweet furry family members) 🙂
Amen!
Welcome home, Sweetie. You were missed tons!
What great news to start off the week!!!!!!! “Sweetie is home”. My daughter has a pet sitting business and is an obsessive animal lover. I told her about Sweetie being missing and she asked all her clients to pray for Sweetie. All most everyday she asked me if Sweetie had come home. She is soooo very happy for the good news of Sweetie’s return and so am I.
Just wanted to say…
“YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!”
(Thunderous appalause)
So happy the doggie turned up safe’n sound.
I make my iced tea with that kind of tea and it’s pretty good.I brew mine with decaf tea and lemon herbal tea.Turns out awesome.I use sweet n low and Truvia to sweeten mine.
Never thought about using vinegar tho.Meself I’d go the lemon juice route.
Y’all have a good one!
I am anxious to try this, Christy. This winter when I had the Flu, the Dr. I saw recommended that I sip Apple Cider Vinegar along with unprocessed honey throughout the day to help me get over the Flu. I mixed the vinegar with some of the honey (Braggs) and water and drank it several times a day. I do believe it really did help me and I also got my husband to drinking it, too, to help him keep from getting the Flu. He did not get the Flu. We are still drinking it daily because I, too, have read about how good it is for us. So, I will gladly add this recipe to my Beverages file.
So glad your Sweetie is back home!! I have been thinking about trying some of these vinegar laced drinks, with your encouragement I just may have to do.
Great news about sweetie and your new dog! I will make this tea when the weather gets warmer for the health nuts in my family!
I’m so happy your Sweetie is home. On New Year’s Eve someone stole my 12-year-old Yorkie during a brief potty break outside. I work from home on a PC and for 12 years we’ve had the same routine. An “amber alert” spread through the neighborhood within 10 minutes of him missing. Neighbors and I scoured everywhere, down the road, through the woods. I reported him missing on every site, reported by his microchip, his vet, groomer, all the local places, etc. I even put a huge poster out at the end of my driveway, asking for whoever took him to please bring him back. For 2 weeks I nearly wore the hinges off the door seeing if he was at the door. Late one night a month later, a truck was stopped almost by my house and I thought, “They’re bringing Jack home.” But it was not. I miss him terribly and cry so much. I got a little dog from the local shelter a month ago, maybe now my little Jack will come home like Sweetie.
You are such a sweet, loving, and lovely person. I am so glad your dear dog returned home.
So glad you are telling others about the benefits of ACV. I have been eating on the Trim Healthy Mama plan since first of the year. One of our drinks is made similar to this and called Goog Girl Moonshine! Love that mother!
Glad your fur baby is back.
That would be good girl moonshine.
Christy, the drink sounds really good, can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
So glad to see you got your Sweetie back! And Pick is just adorable – I can’t blame you for adopting him too. There’s a phrase that our local dog rescue foundation uses that goes something like this (I can’t remember exactly and now I can’t find it):
Every dog I bring into my life gives me a piece of its heart
And every dog that leaves, takes a piece of mine.
I hope that one of these days I will have loved so many dogs that my heart will be all dog.
I am so happy for ya’ll that Sweetie is back home and that another sweetheart, Pick, got a forever home. Our cat has been gone since the 27th of Feb. I call and look for her every day, I am hoping one day she will just show up at the door.
The ACV is great for fleas, all you do is mix 1/4 cup water and 3/4 cup ACV, put in a spray bottle. After bathing your dog just spray this mixture on them and rub in real good. Works great!
Hi Christy, could you let me know if you can change out the type of tea bags. I am not a cherry lover and I could not possible drink that kind of tea. Thanks in advance for answering me!!! Also Welcome home to your puppy!!!!!
I am allergic to vinegar, so would Apple juice work?
For a similar flavor I would use lemon juice but apple juice will definitely work.
Absolutely! Pick your favorite fruit tea. And thank you!! We sure are thrilled.
I bet this is a great thirst quencher in the summertime! kinda reminds me of a haying time drink called Switchel. It looks lovely and I am for all the good benefits of ACV.
Apple Cider Vinegar is good for the digestion and I’ve also heard if you drink 2 T before meals it will help you lose weight. Have not tried it that way but think I will. I could stand tolose a few pounds!
So glad Sweetie is home, God does take care of us and ours.
Christy, I just made some of the tea and it is very tasty. I am so glad to have the recipe. I didn’t not have any of the Black Cherry Tea bags but did have Raspberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea bags and it turned out very good. Thanks again for sharing the recipe!
I am so glad you liked it Janel!!!
I can’t wait to try this tea
I hope you enjoy it!!
Yeahhhh. Your fur baby is home and your family is growing!! Thanks for this tea, I will be making it and since I have a variety pack of these teas and some peach tea, I’ll use those first. But will be putting the cherry berry on my grocery list for my next trip to Krogers!
🙂 Thank you Cassie!!!! Enjoy the VinTea!!
Good Afternoon Christy!
I have been drinking ACV ever since I saw your mama dew drink on your instagram~ I’ve even got my sister hooked on it now 🙂 We are patiently waiting to see if adding this to our diet gives us a 6-pack (abs!) without any effort 🙂
Guess who I got to meet this weekend?? THE Sister Schubert! I drove over to Fairhope this past Saturday to meet her and to purchase her new cookbook. I probably wouldn’t have bothered if it wasn’t for you introducing her to us a couple of months ago! Glad I made the effort because she was such a delight 🙂
I’m so happy to hear that Sweetie is back! What a blessing~
Take Care,
Jennifer
Isn’t she just precious?!? I just love her to pieces. Glad you got to meet her and I hope you enjoy the VinTea!!
I would love to look for Sister Schubert’s new cookbook. Could you give me the name of it? Maybe I can find it online since I don’t live in Alabama.
Hi Libby!
Her new cookbook is called Celebrations From the Heart-
http://www.scrumptiousinc.com/
It is a beautiful book, well worth every penny! There are not many “everyday recipes”, but the famous roll recipe is in there and that was worth the cost to me 🙂
Thanks for posting this Cherry VinTea Cooler recipe – gotta try it ASAP – plan to make at least a gallon of this good stuff so we can drink this in place of soft drinks. ACV is sooooo good for all of us.
I was sooooooooo happy to hear Sweetie made it home safely. I just knew she would. Now you’ve got a good side furbaby family and they’re all sweet!!! Good luck! Thanks! God Bless!
Thank you so much Peggy, we couldn’t be happier!! Blessing to you and I hope you enjoy the VinTea!!
I love ACV and can’t wait to try your “VinTea” recipe! My teenager has an oily back and hair line and this stuff works better than any acne scrub or ointment on the planet. It’s great on zits, bug bites, etc. I also suffer with peri-oral dermatitis (a rash around the mouth) and this clears it up in days. I think the natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make this product a superfood if there ever was one. I even take my bottle with me on vacation!! lol
p.s. So glad your Sweetie is back – what a relief!!!
I have to agree Susie, it is definitely a super food!!!
Just made your tea, however What I had was black cherry blackberry. Made it like your recipe and it’s delicious, no i feel adventurous .
So glad your puppy made it home.
I love your adventurous spirit Carol 🙂 So glad that you liked it!!!
So happy for you that Sweetie is reunited with you and your family.
I have never seen black cherry tea bags here (Ireland). Shall ask my son on his next American holiday to purchase some for me then I can try your VinTea.
Do you have any fruity teas there Deirdre?
Thank you for this recipe…I have been trying to incorporate the Bragg vinegar into my daily routine, but so far I have just been mixing the vinegar and honey with the warm water. This sounds delicious, I can’t wait to try it! You just teach us so much, thank you!!!
Aww, thank you Brenda!! I hope you enjoy the tea!!
Will be trying your special tea and just have to add
how happy to hear that Sweetie is home again.
Thank you Phyllis!!
Thank you for this recipe. I’ve read many articles on Apple Cider Vinegar and the benefits. My Mom and Grandmother swore that it helped Arthritis!! Love you and your family!!!
Thank you Ruth, I hope you get a chance to try it soon!
Christy,
To save your sanity, (& the neighbors) I highly recommend a practice pad for your drummer! It’s a round, rubber thing-ie that fits on top of the drum and muffles the sound! I promise, it’s worth the cost & lasts forever.
Thanks for the tip Noelle!!!!!!!!