We've gone a bit mad for vinegar drinks this summer, and making homemade shrubs led us to another old-fashioned refresher: the switchel. Dating back to the early American colonies and possibly the Caribbean before that, this vinegar and ginger drink became known as haymaker's punch in the 19th century, when it was served to quench farmers' thirst during the hay harvest. It's a fun recipe to tinker with and a charming alternative to aggressively sweet modern day drinks.
Our research turned up all sorts of recipes and proportions, but switchels usually contained cider vinegar and ground ginger (which was more readily available than fresh) and were lightly sweetened with molasses or other sweeteners. Some recipes also included lemons or oatmeal.
We experimented with both ground and fresh ginger as well as molasses, honey, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Each version had its own merits, though overall the sugar ones tasted a bit flat and we were most enamored of the honey and ginger combination, which was bright and complex. Molasses, while possibly the most traditional, was a bit too reminiscent of gingerbread – fun for a couple sips but not necessarily an entire glass. We also preferred the mellowness of ground ginger as opposed to fresh.
We recommend starting with the recipe below and then adjusting to your liking. The switchel may be served alone, over ice, or mixed with sparkling water.
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoons sweetener (molasses, maple syrup, honey, sugar)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 cup water
Combine all ingredients in a jar or glass. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to a day.
Shake or stir before serving. Taste and adjust sweetener, if desired. If using fresh ginger, strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
Pour over ice or mix with soda water, if desired.
Related: Drink Recipe: Elderberry Shrub
(Images: Emily Ho)
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Comments (8)
This sounds like a great Morning Sickness tonic! Ginger and ACV are both amazing for an upset stomach.
you could also throw some whiskey in with that sparkling water! I'm making that this weekend.
Emily - you've got me on a shrub kick as well. I'm running out of space in my fridge yet again. This sounds delish!
This reminds me of the ginger-water in the Little House books.
@ilonastella - Yes! I totally remember that as well. And of course, drinking water with stuff mixed in means you'll drink more, and stay hydrated. And if it's got electrolytes in it, it can also prevent water poisoning.
I've made the oldschool switchel from a historic 18th century recipe (me and the boy work at historic sites) and I've got to say, it was not delicious. Honey sounds like a MUCH better alternative. And also, maybe a little less vinegar than our recipe called for... Since ye oldey-tymey vinegar wasn't usually as strong as modern vinegar.
how funny, my daughter and i were just researching switchel early this summer after reading little house. it's the original gatorade.
i have to say, it's pretty hard to drink vinegar, even sweetened (i drank straight up ACV daily this spring for health reasons but it never got easier).
but you certainly can't go wrong with ginger and honey. and i'd drink it over dye-filled "sports" drinks any time.
Switchel is the most refreshing drink on a hot day. Yum!
I have a similar recipe that replaces the molasses with apple juice to make a homemade apple juice + vinegar sports drink. A sprinkle of cinnamon or ginger tastes great with the apple juice.