# Do you drink vinegar? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285 "2008-11-24T18:00:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/21 "2008-11-24T20:45:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > My wife also makes a cordial called _sekanjabin_, which is vinegar (red wine or cider), sugar, mint and water. Very refreshing. Try making it with a good champagne vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/22 "2008-11-24T21:08:47Z")
I took a shot of apple cider vinegar once, just to see what it would be like. I can confirm that it’s not a good idea. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > After reading Richard Proenneke’s _One Man’s Wilderness_ I tried apple cider vinegar mixed in hot water and honey. It tastes like apple cider with a bite. Just the thing for a cold Winter’s day. 🙂 That seems like the sort of recipe where it’s very important to get the ratios of the ingredients correct. What did you use? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/23 "2008-11-24T21:08:58Z")
I’ll drink lemon juice & salt. I’ll put it in a saki cup and slowly savor it. I used to do that with vinegar, but one day my throat seized up and I couldn’t breath. I really thought I was going to die. So, I don’t do vinegar anymore, unless I dilute it with a little water. I mostly stick with the lemon juice though. Vinegar would be the fall back if I didn’t have lemon, and was really jonesing for that sour/salt flavor. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/24 "2008-11-24T21:13:28Z")
You know how Italian vinaigrette doesn’t so much stick to the lettuce as drain directly into a pool in the bottom of the bowl? That’s some good sipping right there. I discovered that at the dinner table when I was 10, and my family went :eek:. Even better with homemade balsamic vinaigrette. I can’t drink it neat from a shot glass, though, that’s just weird. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Krebbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@Mr.Krebbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Krebbs)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/25 "2008-11-24T21:16:47Z")
The only vinegar I drink straight is malt vinegar. I developed the habit when I was working night security at a local themepark. My partner thought I was nuts, but I think it helped keep me awake. Now, I drink it for the flavor. I’m also another salad lover. Now I think I’ll have to try some balsamic and apple cider vinegar straight. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/26 "2008-11-24T21:18:21Z")
So then, Jesus was just being picky? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/27 "2008-11-24T21:28:38Z")
> [@Jelymag](#): > > No, I cook with it, but no drinking. I get pretty bad heartburn and I can’t imagine that helping. Even so, I doubt that I would anyway. Actually, it seems as if there are two types of “heartburn” out there. There’s heartburn from too much acid in the stomach or the esophagus, which an alkaline treatment like baking soda (bicarbonate) or Tums (calcium) will help, and then there’s hypoacidic heartburn, the same exact feeling from too \*little \*stomach acid (which makes the food sit around too long, irritating things). If you have \*hypoacidic \*heartburn, a swig of vinegar, lemon juice or pickle juice will fix you right up. Well, in the short term, anyhow. The preceding is brought to you by the Alternative Medical Community; I have no idea if the MDs are on board with this yet. Works for a bunch of people though, including some in this thread, I bet! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/28 "2008-11-24T22:01:26Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > So then, Jesus was just being picky? There was a problem with the mother. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/29 "2008-11-24T22:02:30Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > I can’t drink it neat from a shot glass, though, that’s just weird. 😃 You can’t drink it, you need to sip it slowly. And don’t breathe in while you do so! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/30 "2008-11-24T22:28:40Z")
I used to drink a couple of spoonsful of white vinegar at a time, as a “natural diuretic”. :rolleyes: Probably not what you’re asking, though! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/31 "2008-11-24T22:30:55Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > That seems like the sort of recipe where it’s very important to get the ratios of the ingredients correct. What did you use? I use a standard 12 oz. mug. I use a ‘tablespoon’ (the kind you eat with, not the measuring kind) and get a scoop of honey and put it in the cup. Then I add three spoons of apple cider vinegar. Of course there’s still honey on the spoon, so it’s ‘glug-tip-glug-tip-glug-tip’. Add some boiling water and stir to dissolve the honey, then top off the mug with boiling water. Sometimes it’s on the strong side, but I drink it anyway. (i.e., I don’t bother to dilute it.) If you want to try it you might dissolve a spoonful of honey in the water, almost fill the mug, and then add the vinegar a spoonful at a time until you think it tastes right. Proenneke didn’t give a recipe, so this is just the way I do it. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/32 "2008-11-24T22:53:03Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Like what I assume to be most normal sapiens of the homo (and/or hetero) variety, I have more or less assumed that other than use as a cleaning solution, vinegar was most commonly used as an ingredient, rather than a beverage. > > But after seeing a couple of shows on Food Network and PBS, it came to light that some people regard balsamic vinegar as something of a delicacy, to be sipped in its unaltered state rather than diluted with things like food. :eek::eek::eek::eek: People actually drink that stuff? Vinegar was originally derived from spoiled wine. Balsamic vinegar is apparently derived from spoiled vinegar. That stuff is just plain nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/33 "2008-11-24T23:12:54Z")
I have always craved vinegar. When I was a kid I’d secretly slurp some out of the bottle my mom kept out in the garage for laundry purposes. I also used to eat the horseradish and cocktail onions for that vinegary taste. I loves me some balsamic - so much smoother than that crappy old white vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/34 "2008-11-24T23:16:22Z")
In the past couple of weeks I read an article (could’ve been in the NYT, Real Simple…but I can’t track it down now…maybe it was even in a book) about people that were totally into making these home made vinegar/fruit infusions called “shrubs.” I believe that they’re, basically, a type of non-alcoholic cordial. Damn, I wish I could remember where that article came from! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/35 "2008-11-24T23:19:13Z")
Yes, I savor it. We once held a vinegar-tasting party. We had at least a dozen varieties. A good balsamic won, hands down. But we also enjoyed a delightful walnut vinegar, several varieties of tarragon-mixed herbs, raspberry, lemon, and even orange chocolate! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@Sir\_Not\_Appearing\_on\_This\_Site](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Not_Appearing_on_This_Site)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/36 "2008-11-25T00:20:39Z")
I got a little queasy just reading through this thread. DRINKING VINEGAR???!!! The only way I can stand it is to have it cooked throughly in a dish. I can’t even stand the smell of it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/37 "2008-11-25T00:24:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > My wife also makes a cordial called _sekanjabin_, which is vinegar (red wine or cider), sugar, mint and water. Very refreshing. I make and drink this too, but I use fresh ginger in place of mint. A number of my friends drink balsamic vinegars like sherry, but I find that to be too much. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/38 "2008-11-25T00:32:01Z")
I used to drink vinegar when my stomach was younger. I crave vinegar often. It may be one of secondary food groups, like bacon and chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/39 "2008-11-25T00:35:26Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Balsamic vinegar is apparently derived from spoiled vinegar. … Snark aside, the [real stuff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsamic_vinegar) isn’t actually even vinegar. Who knew? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285/40 "2008-11-25T14:17:13Z")
> [@emilyforce](#): > > Snark aside, the [real stuff](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsamic_vinegar) isn’t actually even vinegar. Who knew? :eek: Not me. I may have to spring for the real stuff some day. Anyone want to buy a slightly used kidney? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drink-vinegar/474285.md?page=3)