Switchel – An Old Fashioned Thirst Quencher
Switchel is a sweeet-tart old fashioned thirst quencher that’s easy to make, good for you, and budget friendly. We’ll share a little history, a basic recipe, and variations to customize your drink.
We’ve tried a lot of different electrolyte drinks and mixes over the years. Most of them are expensive, and they often have ingredients we prefer to avoid. This mix keeps you hydrated without leaving you feeling bloated from drinking too much.
What is switchel?
Switchel is a beverage made from a mixture of water, vinegar, and sweetener, such as honey or molasses. It is sometimes called “haymaker’s punch” or “ginger water.” Some people add ginger, fruit juice, or other spices to give the drink a more complex flavor.
The drink originated in the Caribbean and was popular among farmers and laborers as a refreshing and hydrating beverage. You can serve it cold or at room temperature. (Some people find room temperature water hydrates them faster.)
Molasses, maple syrup, and vinegar provide electrolytes, minerals that are essential to key body functions. The addition of ginger warms the stomach, making it easier
Switchel made its way to the United States, where it became popular in rural areas in the 17th century. Laura Ingalls described drinking the beverage during haying season in The Long Winter:
“Ma had sent them ginger-water. She had sweetened the cool well-water with sugar, flavored it with vinegar, and put in plenty of ginger to warm their stomachs so they could drink till they were not thirsty. Ginger-water would not make them sick, as plain cold water would when they were so hot.”
The drink remained popular throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, but eventually fell out of favor. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in switchel and other old-fashioned drinks. Everything old is new again, and that’s alright by me.
Basic Switchel Recipe
Sweet, tart, with a hint of soothing ginger, this recipe is sure to be refreshing.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or molasses
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon grated ginger, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- A pinch of salt
Directions
- Combine the water, vinegar, ginger, and sweetener in a large jar or pitcher.
- Stir well to dissolve the sweetener. Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired.
- Chill before serving, or serve over ice, if desired.
- Store unused portion in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Make sure to stir the switchel well to dissolve the sweetener and combine all of the ingredients. If you don’t stir well, you may end up with a drink that is unevenly sweet. You can strain out the grated ginger before serving, or sip around it.
You can make the recipe a day ahead to mellow and blend the flavors. Serve warm for a version of apple cider vinegar tea to help clear congestion.
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Variations
You can add other ingredients to the basic recipe to give the switchel a different flavor. Try lemon juice, fruit juice, herbs and spices. Experiment with different combinations to find the flavor that you like best.
Some ideas:
Maple Rhubarb – Stew 1 cup of rhubarb with 1/2 cup water and strain. Add the juice to the basic recipe, sweetened with maple syrup.
Apple cinnamon – Add a cup of apple juice and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to the basic recipe.
Herbal Switchel – Make up herbal tea by steeping a tablespoon of your favorite fresh herbs like mint or basil in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and add to the basic recipe.
PrintSwitchel – An Old Fashioned Thirst Quencher
This homemade switchel recipe with apple cider vinegar and ginger is also known as “nature’s gatorade”, haymaker’s punch, and ginger water. It’s a great electrolyte drink and is easy to make.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: beverage
Ingredients
- 4 cups Water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or molasses
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon grated ginger, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine the water, vinegar, ginger, and sweetener in a large jar or pitcher.
- Stir well to dissolve the sweetener. Taste and adjust the sweetness as desired.
- Chill before serving, or serve over ice, if desired.
- Store unused portion in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Common Questions
What does switchel taste like?
Switchel has a refreshing and slightly tangy flavor, with a sweetness from the sweetener. The taste of the drink varies depending on the type and amount of sweetener used.
Can you make switchel with other sweeteners besides honey or molasses?
Yes, you can use a variety of sweeteners to make switchel, such as sugar, maple syrup, or sugar free sweeteners. Use 1/4 teaspoon of stevia extract per quart of water, or your sweetener of choice.
Can you make switchel with other types of vinegar besides apple cider vinegar?
Yes, you can use other types of vinegar to make switchel, such as white vinegar or rice vinegar. Just be aware that different types of vinegar have different flavors and strengths, so you may need to adjust the amount you use.
Can you add other ingredients to switchel?
Yes, you can add other ingredients to switchel to give it a different flavor. Some suggestions might include ginger, lemon juice, or other spices.
Is switchel good for you?
Switchel is thought to have a number of health benefits, such as aiding in digestion and helping to balance the body’s pH levels. However, it is still a sweetened beverage, so it is best consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
More Easy Beverage Recipes
We spend a lot of time working outdoors, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Most of the time we drink water, but it’s nice to have options.
Some of the other beverages we make include:
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie grew up in the kitchen, learning baking and home cooking from her momma. At age 15, she and her mom and two sisters created Irene’s Custom Cakes & Catering, which was her summer job through most of high school and college.
Very lovely your posts, and sounds like being something good the switchel that you have described. I am not aware of ever drinking such drink. But often I have drunk water with some of the juice from a fresh lemon, mixed in the water. I suppose that is also “electrolyte drink” . Maybe one day I will try to make switchel.