Aperitif Ginger-Aid

In many countries around the world, beverages called “aperitifs” are conventionally consumed prior to a meal. Usually both alcoholic and somewhat bitter in flavor, aperitifs are designed to stimulate both appetite and the flow of digestive juices. “Bitters” usually refers to a variety of bitter, herb-and/or root-based liquors which indeed stimulate release of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid in the gut. Some classic examples of bitters are gentian, burdock, artichoke leaf, ginger, and bitter orange.

While alcohol (a small amount!) can definitely help one to relax in order to digest food more completely, it’s the bitter agents that stimulate the digestion. Many of our clients are giving up alcohol for personal or medical reasons, so we want to share our favorite nonalcoholic aperitif recipe. We have one of these before dinner many nights.The apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps the stomach to digest protein. The lemon oil is particularly good for improving small blood vessel circulation and reducing blood pressure. The ginger oil is wonderfully anti-inflammatory and helps to prevent indigestion. Best of all, you can have all the ingredients on hand all the time! We use lemon and ginger essential oils (both bitter!), but you might also enjoy lime or grapefruit on their own (or combined with the ginger). We’ve tried a few different brands, and we personally use Doterra essential oils exclusively due to their rich, clean flavor and high-quality extraction process.