sorry that your post got overlooked???. As to your questions about apple vinegar and apple cider vinegar, they are (to my knowledge) in fact, two different vinegars. I cannot tell you how though, sorry.
As for how to drink it, it is best drank (again, this is my knowledge and my preference) with warm water. Hot water leaches out the nutrients.
As to what an alternative would be, I am unable to help with that.
You can google braggs apple cider vinegar and check their website. (My computer just lost my search, in this moment, while I was trying to get the link for you). It has much information on questions you may have.