Vacationing in our household is really just about eating in a different city. And drinking for that matter. We pretty much go to different places and just bring back food. When we visited Watkins Glen, NY, and Mystic, Connecticut we saw some sights, but the highlights of our visit were fun little shops. In both of those towns, we found our way to fun shops that only sold Olive Oil and Vinegar. None of it was technically drinking vinegar.
Taste and review
Don't get me wrong. We totally walked around the shops sampling a bit of everything. So yes, we were literally drinking vinegar and taking little mini shots of what would eventually be salad dressing.
So while the vinegar we were sipping on was meant more as a condiment, apparently drinking vinegar is a thing.
So if you are curious, WebMD has an explanation of the benefits and down sides. I leave health related items to the professionals and to you the end user to make the best decisions for you and your health.
So on a basic level, if you know what apple cider vinegar tastes like, this isn't too different. Just add some seltzer to it and you are pretty much there. Both of these drinks are fizzy.
And they come in bottles that I plan on using for some homemade vanilla extract.
But if you can imagine vinegar soda (but not quite as carbonated as soda), you have about 80% of the flavor down. Both are priced at $1.99 and are found in the refrigerated aisle of Trader Joe's.
So here is the breakdown of both flavors.
Cucumber Mint
This is the less assertive of the two flavors because cucumber doesn't have a strong flavor. Here the mint seems to take the lead but also highlights the mild cucumber flavor.
Strawberry and Basil
To me, this was the better of the two flavors. The strawberry with the basil was really natural in flavor and there was just a hint of sweetness to this likely coming from the honey. The balance between strawberry and basil was well done.
Overall
A few sips were sufficient. I didn't love how the extra acidity felt in my stomach. But I know some people absolutely love it.
Would I buy this again? While I personally, can't get into drinking vinegar, Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Drinking Vinegars did taste as good as can be expected. It's not something I would repurchase, but if you are into these, they are pretty good.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
The bottles of Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Drinking Vinegar:
Calories
Ingredients
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Drinking Vinegar
Product Name: Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Drinking Vinegar
Product Description: Bubbly vinegars that are designed for drinking. Both naturally flavored and organic
Price: $1.99
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
Summary
Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Drinking Vinegar are a new beverages for those who find benefit in drinking vinegar.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Pleasant flavor pairings of strawberry and basil and cucumber and mint
Cons
- For some, the acidity here may cause some stomach upset
- The idea of drinking vinegar might not be something that appeals to everyone
Alek says
Maybe you could do a light vinaigrette using those. I can see these drizzled over salads.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! You might be able to get away with it but it might be a tad watery. I knew this wouldn't be for everyone, but to each their own. Thanks as always for stopping by!
Maureen says
I like these a lot.
I have only had the cucumber mint as I am allergic to strawberry. I actually think they are refreshing.
becomebetty says
Hey Maureen! Thanks so much for sharing!
Jade P. Jones says
I tried the strawberry basil with trepidation. I was surprised by its tastiness yet it was almost too sweet for me. I could do without the calories. I usually just drink the TJ apple cider vinegar with purified water so this was sweeter than I expected. Also it’s a small bottle and I think it’s pretty expensive for vinegar and water.