My Essential Morning Hydrating Tonic

A glass of a homemade hydrating morning tonic next to lemons and a citrine yellow napkin.

With this morning hydrating tonic you can supercharge your water to help it replace what you have lost, hydrate you better, and help you absorb what you are missing… not to mention feel balanced and refreshed. Here is what I have found:

Why start your day with a hydrating tonic?

Our bodies are made up of about two-thirds water. If we are not properly hydrated then our body has a hard time carrying out its essential functions, and we end up feeling less than great. We may not even realize that dehydration is the cause. Without enough water our body cannot properly detoxify, absorb nutrients, lubricate our joints, run our metabolism, or recover from workouts.

Truth be told, I am not one who gravitates towards anything but a large cup of coffee first thing in the morning. It is one of the first things that I think about when I wake up. But years ago I realized that one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to start your day by drinking a large glass of water first thing. Lukewarm water is even better so as not to shock your system and absorb easier. So for years I did that… and it was fine. I was more hydrated. I could check off one glass of water first thing so I was already on my way to eight glasses. It was fine… but it was not great. I knew there had to be a better way.

Why water alone is not enough

Water alone does not replenish the electrolytes and minerals which you have lost throughout the day, and night. But by adding a few key ingredients, you can supercharge your water to help it replace what you have lost, hydrate you better, and help you absorb what you are missing.

Over the years I have played around with amending this and drinking this. I have added lemon and apple cider vinegar, sometimes honey, sometimes cayenne pepper. Truth be told some days I just reached for my coffee first. Then something changed. Me I guess.

At about the same time I started to follow the keto diet, I also started going to hot pilates, HIIT, and yoga classes three to four times a week. This surprised me because my former self was convinced that I would not do well in the heat. It seemed like a surefire way to end up with a migraine. But as I mentioned earlier, once I started eating a low carb, keto diet, I stopped having migraines completely… and as it turns out I absolutely love the heat.

Where am I going with this? As I was now exercising in heat (96-106°F), I was sweating more than I knew I was able to. I didn’t really sweat before. Have you had the same experience? (Let me know below.) So as I was now losing so much in my classes, it became essential for me to replenish what I lost and to start my day completely hydrated.

The Essential Ingredients

So back I went to perfecting my morning hydrating tonic. To the lemon, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper I added Himalayan salt to help replenish the minerals which I had lost. Then I found the ingredient that made a difference. In one of my favorite cookbooks, The Mexican Keto Cookbook by Torie Borrelli, she has her own version of an Alkalizing Morning Drink. In it she suggests adding Ceylon cinnamon which is an antioxidant that helps balance blood sugar (especially after coming off of a fast or if practicing intermittent fasting). So I tried it. The result? I loved it. Not only for the flavor, but for how it makes me feel.

Here are the ingredients, just stir well together. (Note: Do not use your fingers for the cayenne pepper as it could burn your eyes or body later, use a spoon.)

  • 8 Ounces Of Water
  • 1 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Tsp. Ceylon Cinnamon
  • Pinch Of Cayenne Pepper
  • Pinch Of Himalayan Salt

How A Daily Hydrating Tonic Will Make You Feel

My morning “tonic” makes me feel refreshed, balanced, and hydrated in a way that water alone just does not do. I can’t recommend it enough.

If you make this Morning Hydrating Tonic be sure to leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you. And if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.