Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
While looking for easy lemon recipes on-line yesterday, I came across the recipe for a lemon detox drink containing cayenne pepper, water, lemon juice and maple syrup - the ingredients contained in the famous Master Cleanse or Lemonade Diet Drink.
After a lifetime of dietary struggle, I've decided that the best approach for me is more of a middle path of moderation, rather than extreme diets.
I love to cook and bake and eat so the minute I begin to contemplate giving up food, even for a few days, I feel my stress levels increase.
So, while looking for delicious ways - lemon cookies, lemon bars, fresh lemonade, lemon cake, lemon poppy seed muffins - to use up this years crop of lemons falling from the trees, why was I drawn to a recipe containing cayenne pepper, water, lemon and maple syrup?
Is my body craving a cleanse? Does it need a break?
Lemons
When I start my day with a cup of warm water and lemon, a trick I learned from the delightful book, French Women Don't Get Fat
, my elimination improves and I feel better - healthier, lighter, more energized.
Lemons, a rich source of vitamins and minerals, with reported powerful cleansing ability, are plentiful, as we move into Spring, the time of year we seem most inclined to want to fast and cleanse.
Would my body benefit from a ten day break from food, where it's only nourishment comes from cayenne pepper, water, lemon, maple syrup? Maybe.
My brother has done the Master Cleanse and has only good things to say.
He lost weight, and felt healthier and more energized. And he's not the only one.
Lots and lots of people swear by this cleanse that has been around for decades. So, maybe I will give it a try this Spring - at least for a day or two.
It's really very simple as detoxes and cleanses go. You don't need a blender (affiliate link) or juicer (affiliate link) and there are no long lists of special pills and powders required.
You drink at least 60 ounces of cayenne pepper water lemon maple syrup drink or "lemonade" a day along with as much water as you want.
Here's the recipe for the magical elixir. Even if you aren't ready to commit to a ten day cleanse, it seems like a nice healthy drink with which to start the day!
Cayenne Pepper Water Lemon Maple Syrup Drink Recipe
Here's the recipe for Master Cleanse Lemonade. I've provided the amounts for both a single serving and daily supply. Be sure to use fresh, real ingredients - fresh lemon juice and real grade B maple syrup - not pancake syrup.
Single Serving
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (about ½ a large lemon)
- 2 tablespoons of Grade B real maple syrup
- 1/10 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 10 ounces of filtered water
Daily Serving (60 ounces)
- ¾ cup of fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 large lemons)
- ¾ cup of Grade B real maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 60 ounces of filtered water
Combine the ingredients in a glass or pitcher and mix until well combined.
For more about The Master Cleanse
You may need this wonderful Lemon Squeezer 
if you decide to give the Master Cleanse Diet a go or if you are a huge fan of fresh squeezed lemons, like me.
More Homemade Lemonade Recipes
Homemade Lemonade made with fresh lemons and a simple sugar syrup
Homemade Lemonade with sugar, water and fresh lemons
*PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT Weight Watchers Zero Points fruits and vegetables using the WW Recipe Builder.
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Caroline
whether this recipe is makes for great cleansing or not, it most certainly helps for fighting a sore throat - gargling with a bit of cayenne pepper, or even sipping a broth with a bit of cayenne pepper mixed in greatly reduces the pain associated with sore throats. not sure why, but have tried it myself and have found it to work wonderfully. substitute honey for maple syrup in the above recipe and you've made a warm, comforting, antibacterial hug for your sore throat!
p.s. love your site!
Kathy
Just noticed mistakes in the 60 oz recipe:
"abt a 1/2 lemon" is the same amt as in the 10 oz version--
Should be 3/4 cup is = 3 large lemons
and
"3/4 Tablespoon maple syrup"
Should be 3/4 CUP of maple syrup in the 60 oz recipe
Just thought I'd let you know...
Martha
Thanks, Kathy. I have made the changes and appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
steven clark
How many servings per day and for how long? Heard it was good for losing weight?
elizabeth massie
I have a couple of questions? I got the fresh lemons and cayenne pepper and couldn't fine grade b maple syrup so I got organic maple syrup. is that ok to use? also the cayenne pepper is really hot to drink. could I take 2 cayenne capsules when I drink the lemonade and syrup water detox? hope to hear back. thanks, Elizabeth massie
Martha McKinnon
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, the organic maple syrup will be fine. I just liked to use Grade B because I think it has a slightly deeper maple flavor and is less expensive. I've never tried cayenne capsules, but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Best of Luck!
Bianca de Freitas
Hi,
Does this diet mean you cant eat anything,
just drink this as a meal substitute or
do you eat normal but drink this.
xx Bianca
Martha McKinnon
Hi Bianca, Most people drink only this for a period of time, but you can start your day with it
or try it as meal substitute. It's really up to you and what you are trying to accomplish. Hope this
helps.
alexander chaplin
i have a friend that does this recipe for 10 days and losses between 15/20 pounds,does it only every 6 months an does the 5th and 10th day the water/seasalt not ionize, but no food during this 10 days, istarted today, will let you know what happened, is it ok to prepare the gallon mix the nite before, and i ,am taking the smooth move tea too
Erin
I cannot believe that you wouldn't eat anything at all for 10 days? That is VERY UNHEALTHY. Even Dr's will tell you you have to eat. I can't believe that someone would starve themselves for 10 days. Not Good. Hope you got your Dr's approval for this.
Sylvia
I did this cleanse 35 year’s ago. It’s very hard not to eat anything. And possibly not that good for you. So I cheated, and still lost weight and felt better, lighter, healthier. I love my coffee, so I would eventually have a coffee and eat a salad at some point during the day. I was young and very healthy at the time, so no side effects. Some people get headaches.
Sally
It is NOT unhealthy to give up food for a period of time. Research has shown fasting can beat ANY diseases in the body. I think it’s an awesome cleanse and it works WONDERS. If you can’t give up food, then don’t. But don’t disrespect people that CAN do it.
Tinybubbles
Religions have fasts that people go long times without eating. It’s very healthy if you keep hydrated and take vitamins.
Mary
Reply to ERIN , fasting is the absolute most healthy thing for you to help your body heal and cleanse! Doctors gave NO nutritional training , just pharmaceutical!!!
Lou Lombard
Please send me the complete instructions and recipe!
Lillie Fruge
Please send me complete instructions and recipes!
Salomon
Hi everyone I did the diet about 10 years ago, for 10 days
1 galón on water
6 oz of maple syrup
6 oz of lemon juice
3 tea spoons of váyanse pepper
Detox te only at night
For 3 day in the morning .5 tea spoon of salt in a glass of water
And to help I used sugar free gum
I lost 15-20 pounds and 2-3 sizes I’ve keeps the weight off.
I’ve recommend the 10 day to everyone it’s a good break to your system.
Fasting has been part of cultures throughout history.
Best of luck ITS NO EASY BUT WORTH EVERY MOMENT (you're just reset your system)
Starlette Coleman
Please let me know if and how much if your going to use it for a kick start fir the day and if will help with weight loss
Maylord
I did this cleansing 5 years ago and it works. I’m taking this 30 mins before mealtime and it suppresses my appetite, i feel i am full. But every morning i will only take half of oranges and boiled eggs (white only) then green tea. Good luck to those who wants to try!!
Mary
Just remember the egg is a perfect food together not apart the lecithin in the yolk breaks down the protein in the white to assimilate ??
Trixie L Standley
How many days is required to get a full cleanse without worrying about the weight. Versus wanting to lose weight and doing the cleanse is there a time period for both or either or and do you do nothing but drink the water you don't eat anything
Tina
My brother and sister-in-law turned me on to the lemon, Cayenne, maple syrup cleanse, they swear by it, so I know it's not BS! And cleansing your body is healthy, all the crap you put in your body is not so healthy, so I'm giving it a try? I started it yesterday and so far so good I love the lemon the Canon and the maple syrup great taste and I also bought lemonade sugarless and just a little bit and it not a lot half a teaspoon just to give it a little more flavor I don't think it's going to hurt it's sugarless, and sugar free candies to suck on? I'll definitely giving update on how I'm doing in a few days?
Angie
I found out about this recipe since 1990, and this much I can tell you, it's my go to for my sons when they were babies and had a cold. I didn't want to give them any medication at that young baby/toddler stage. The mixture worked like a charm! To the point it became a household staple they pass on to their children these days. Our version:
8 oz. purified/filtered water - cold or room temp.
1/2 lemon - juiced
2 tblsp 100% pure Maple Syrup (Springtree is my go to brand)
dash of cayenne pepper.
When my sons were younger, I used to mix just the lemon juice, the maple syrup, and the cayenne pepper with just enough water and spoon feed them that mixture and give them the water to drink. Highly recommend to use to minimize cold symptoms.
Cindy
I went on this diet several years ago. I lost 35 pounds. Good idea, I think I will do it again.
Mary
I used to have the entire print out of the master cleanse diet, I believe there was a recipe for soup and perhaps a few meals after a period of fasting. Am I correct about that? If so can someone give that info and recipes to share. . Thank you
Salomon Faisal
Tried the diet for 10 days i lost 2 sizes 20 pounds. first 3 days were extremely hard
my secret was chewing sugarless gum.
Brett
I'm on Day 71 of a Solid food vacation SFV ( check out john rose) Been a very quiet weekend and got a load of cravings and the grape juice isn't cutting it. This little recipe is a life saver.
Thank you .. just 19 days to go 🙂
ps: the changes in my body healthy wise are really good.
this is the very video that got me started back on the 14th Jan 2023
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnKoQHCstBJ/