Apple cider vinegar, which is made from fermented apple juice, remains one of the wellness world’s most hotly debated ingredients. Its supposed health benefits continue to spark curiosity – and scepticism – with search interest steadily climbing, according to Google.

The ingredient has even seeped into pop culture, lending its name to a Netflix series inspired by the story of influencer Belle Gibson, who falsely claimed she had cured her terminal brain cancer through diet and alternative therapies.

So as more and more apple cider vinegar products pop up on supermarket and health food aisles, it begs the questions: does it have any real health benefits and should we be taking it?

To separate myth from fact, I consulted nutritionists and dieticians who weighed in on the most asked questions and popular products – with several also sharing their thoughts and recommendations on specific apple cider vinegar options, which I put to the test myself.

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The best apple cider vinegar products for 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Mr Organic apple cider vinegar: £3.50, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for making drinks– Mother Root ginger: £29.95, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best canned drink– Willy’s sparkling apple, kombucha & apple cider vinegar: £2, Ocado.com
  • Best shot– Willy’s turmeric ACV shot: £45, Willysacv.com
  • Best for flavour –Remedy sodaly: £1.95, Ocado.com

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  • Bestapple cider vinegar overall
  • Size500ml
  • Why we love it- Versatile vinegar with 'the mother'
  • Organic

According to Nicola Ludlam-Raine this is “a good basic vinegar with ‘the mother’ that’s excellent for diluting into water or salad dressings without added sugars”.

I diluted it with some tonic water which made a crisp, bright and easy way to take ACV. The vinegar is rounded with the notes of the apple bringing depth to the vinegar taste.

I found that it’s best to gently shake as ‘the mother sits’ at the bottom but overall it was easy to mix and use with different dishes from salads to in drinks.

  • Bestapple cider vinegar for aperitifs
  • Size500ml bottle
  • Why we love it- Refreshing

  • Suited to evening drinking

  • Take note- Expensive

Hailed as an alternative to alcoholic aperitifs, Mother Root’s drink blends ginger, apple cider vinegar, blossom honey, and a hint of chilli for a very refreshing drink when mixed with soda water.

Its bubbles are more subtle than Willy’s sparkling option, making for sophisticated sipping, without the fear of a hangover. At £30, it’s not cheap so I’d save this for a special occasion, whether that’s when swapping alcohol or winding down before the weekend. It is, however, the best tasting apple cider vinegar product I tried.

Speaking of Mother Root’s ginger, Ludlam-Raine said it is a “nice low sugar drink to mix with soda water with added benefits from ginger too”.

  • Bestapple cider vinegar cans
  • Size250ml cans
  • Why we love it- Lovely apple taste

  • Blend with kombucha

  • Take note- Expensive

I found the apple taste of Willy’s sparkling can to be full-bodied and warming, while the vinegar adds a subtle kick to the drink which is lifted by the bubbles. For those who prefer to keep things milder, the ginger is more subtle and I appreciate the fermented addition with kombucha.

I found the cans a convenient way to incorporate ACV into my diet, I packed one to drink with my lunch at work a few times, for example. Like many “wellness” drinks, the cans don’t come cheap but they are packed with gut-loving ingredients.

“This is a nice mocktail mixer with added metabolic benefits,” says Ludlam-Raine, who also praised the addition of ginger.

  • Bestapple cider vinegar shots
  • Size60ml shots
  • Why we love it- Ready to drink

  • Has 'the mother'

  • Take note- Very spicy

Ludlam-Raine described this Willy’s shot as “convenient”, adding that while it contains around 1tsp sugar per shot, it’s worth noting this comes from honey. She added that is has “a nice addition of turmeric, lemon and black pepper too for piperin, which increases the bioavailability of curcumin in the turmeric”.

Testing the organic shot, it has a serious kick to it thanks to the black pepper, so be warned if you don’t like spice. The apple juice does help to mellow the hit of turmeric and vinegar though and I really enjoyed the complex taste.

When testing, I would reach for a shot for a quick and easy way to get my dose of ACV, but they don’t work as a drink to mull over and enjoy.

  • Bestapple cider vinegar capsules
  • Size90 capsules

  • Why we love it- Reduces risk of throat and teeth damage from raw vinegar

  • Take note- Chalky taste

  • Have to swallow three capsules

Nutrition Geeks’ capsules offer a “more concentrated dose of ACV with no added sugar,” says Ludlam-Raine.

I agree, and if you don’t like the vinegar taste, then apple cider vinegar+ capsules are a really good choice (£9.99, Nutritiongeeks.co). While they have the slightly chalky taste like most supplements, this form avoids damage to the teeth and throat from acidity which is a plus.

During testing, I did find it difficult to remember to take them but if you’re good at taking supplements and don’t mind adding another into your routine, this works well. You do lose out on the delicious taste that many of the vinegars out there have though.

  • Size250ml
  • Why we love it- Range of tasty flavours
  • Naturally flavoured

  • ACV taste is light

  • Take note- Expensive for a can

  • Ingredient list isn't as minimal as Willy's cans

This drink didn’t feature in Nicola Ludlam-Raine’s list, but I’ve been enjoying testing the sodaly drinks from Remedy, who is best known for its kombucha. Adding some flavour into the category, Remedy has made raspberry, pineapple, watermelon and yuzu lemon sodas, which all have an ACV base.

My favourite flavour is pineapple, which has an uplifting, well-rounded, non-artificial tropical taste that gently refreshes. If you don’t like the taste of apple cider vinegar, I found these cans light on that flavour, with no harsh acidity or vinegar notes. The drinks are naturally flavoured and sugar-free which is a bonus (they are sweetened with stevia).