Haytime Switchel Recipe: The First 'Gatorade' Thirst Quencher? (2024)

FAQs

What is another name for switchel? ›

Switchel, switzel, swizzle, switchy, ginger-water or haymaker's punch is a drink made of water mixed with vinegar, and often seasoned with ginger. It is usually sweetened with molasses, though honey, sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup are sometimes used instead.

What does switchel taste like? Switchel is sweet and tangy, with a crisp, clean flavor that goes down smooth--just what you'd expect from a simple recipe of maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, ginger, and bootstrap molasses!

The switchel is a mixture of apple cider vinegar, ginger and a sweetener; it's thought to have originated in the Caribbean and became popular among American colonists in 17th-century New England.

Get an electrolyte boost

But because of the maple syrup and apple cider vinegar found in switchel, potassium-rich electrolytes, particularly potassium, are replenished, making it an excellent alternative to sugary drinks like Gatorade.

Apple cider vinegar-based drinks like switchel are associated with certain health benefits. They contain high levels of polyphenols (micronutrients found in certain plant-based foods), which may inhibit DNA damage and have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.

This recipe for switchel, a probiotic beverage made in less than 5 minutes, is a great way to introduce beneficial microbial populations into the terrarium of your self.

Switchel (aka haymaker's punch) is the Amish version of Gatorade. It has all of the nutrition and electrolytes you need after a long, hot summer day of making hay to replenish your energy-stores. The earliest recording of switchel in America goes back to the 1600's where it was called "switchy" or "ginger water".

It's the perfect thirst quencher after some hard yakka:

While most of us aren't out toiling the fields these days, the farmers who loved Switchel back in the day were onto something! it's a mighty fine way to rehydrate after going hard, whether that's after a big gym, spin or yoga sesh or even a big night out!

Where kombucha requires live bacterial colonies and days of fermentation, switchel is a happy and simple blend of water, ginger, apple cider vinegar and a sweetener, (usually maple syrup but can also be honey).

Blood sugar balance also gets a boost from apple cider vinegar. Consuming some apple cider vinegar at the start of your meals, like as a switchel, helps to slow down the spike in blood sugar during digestion.

How long does switchel need to be refrigerated? ›

Switchel will keep safely in the fridge for at least a week.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar derived from the bacterial fermentation of apple juice. White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is the product of fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) into acetic acid.

Where kombucha requires live bacterial colonies and days of fermentation, switchel is a happy and simple blend of water, ginger, apple cider vinegar and a sweetener, (usually maple syrup but can also be honey).

Switchel is similar to shrub, but instead of using fruit as a base, it uses ginger as the main flavouring agent, and is usually sweetened with richer sugars (i.e. molasses or maple syrup), and can sometimes include spices in the mix.

A shrub is a concentrated syrup that's made by mixing vinegar (usually apple-cider vinegar), fruit, and sugar. Once the syrup is created, it can be diluted with water, sparkling water, or other mixers to be used in a co*cktail or refreshing non-alcoholic beverage.