A few months ago I was visiting NYC and I came across an apothecary called The Modern Chemist, which sold all kinds of bottled beverages that I’ve never heard of before. Dirty Lemon was the name of a brand that caught my eye with its chic, minimalistic packaging (I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging). Turns out, all of Dirty Lemon’s beverages are not only cute, but they’re elixirs designed to make people feel better. Dirty Lemon’s charcoal detox (called +charcoal) was their flagship product, which is what I bought. Today, the brand has over 11 different products, each offering its own unique health benefits.
Got expensive taste? Me too.
I sprung for Dirty Lemon’s +charcoal drink when I read about how it’s designed to improve digestion, stimulate liver function, and gently cleanse your system of impurities (exactly what my body needed after drinking cocktails and eating pizza that whole weekend). After taking the first sip, I thought, “I should probably drink these more often”—but then reality hit me—the Dirty Lemon drinks are about $7.50 each!
What makes this drink so expensive? Well, it contains some pretty high-end ingredients, but you’re also paying for the packaging. If you buy the individual ingredients used in this beverage and pour it into your own to-go container, you’re not only doing your wallet a favor, but you’re also helping the environment by cutting back on plastic waste (win-win)!
Below are a few questions that I came across when I was looking into how to recreate this drink myself…
What’s in the charcoal detox drink by Dirty Lemon?
The drink contains these readily-available ingredients that are associated with major health benefits:
- Purified Water – Everyone knows water is good for you. Need I say more?
- Organic Lemon Juice – Lemons may support heart health, weight control, and digestive health.
- Activated Charcoal – May reduce cholesterol levels, improve kidney function, and is scientifically proven to reduce hangovers!
- Ginger – Is an anti-inflammatory and can improve heart disease risk factors, as well as treat chronic indigestion.
- Dandelion Root – For centuries, dandelion root has been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease, and digestive disorders.
- Luo Han Guo (Monk fruit) – Apparently the extract is 150-250 times sweeter than table sugar, has zero calories and carbs, and does not raise blood glucose levels.
The images below link to where you can purchase the ingredients on Amazon:
What are some other items I need to make the Dirty Lemon charcoal detox?
I like to have a carafe of this stuff available in my fridge, so I can pour myself a glass at any time.
What kind of container should I get to carry this drink with me when I’m on the go?
Definitely get something that seals tightly, because you should occasionally shake up the drink so the charcoal won’t all settle to the bottom. The Tervis brand of water bottles comes has fun patterns and the lockable hinged lid keeps liquids contained. How cute is this lemon water bottle?!
How often can I consume charcoal water?
Dirty Lemon’s website says the +charcoal elixir is intended to be consumed daily. I did see warnings though about consuming this around the same time as eating nutritious meals or taking dietary supplements/medications, so just try to not drink this within an hour of eating.
What’s the best way to serve this drink at home?
Serve cold in a see-through glass or mug, and about every 20 minutes stir it with a spoon so the charcoal won’t all settle to the bottom. For a little pizzaz, garnish with a slice of lemon, and then guess what? You’ve got an Instagram-worthy drink on your hands.
Should anyone avoid drinking charcoal?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, reach out to your doctor with any questions or concerns prior to consuming the drink.
Daily Detox
Ingredients
- 1 tsp charcoal powder
- 5 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
- ¼ tsp dandelion root
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 pinch himalayan pink salt
- 8 drops monkfruit sweetener
- 1 lemon slice (optional)
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together well and garnish with a lemon slice. Cheers to your health!
Get the recipe here
Note: This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. I only recommend products that I would also buy as a paying customer.
If you’ve tried this Dirty Lemon charcoal detox or any other recipe on my blog, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below. I absolutely love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to get more nourishing recipes like this. And don’t forget–use #ELYOV if you snap a picture of how this recipe turns out!
