Colonial Switchel: Hydrate Naturally
A traditional Colonial American drink, also known as 'haymaker's punch,' crafted from water, apple cider vinegar, natural sweetener, and ginger to naturally quench thirst and restore energy.
Ingredients
- 4 cup water filtered
- 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
- 0.25 cup molasses or honey to taste
- 2 inch fresh ginger peeled and thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine water, apple cider vinegar, molasses (or honey), and sliced ginger in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and let it steep for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely. Strain out the ginger slices.
- Transfer the switchel base to a clean bottle or jar and refrigerate. The base will keep for up to two weeks.
- To serve, add 2–4 tablespoons of the switchel base per cup of still or sparkling water, adjusting to your taste preference. Serve chilled.
Notes
To customize your switchel, add sliced fruits (like lemon, orange, or apple), fresh herbs (such as mint, basil, or rosemary), or warming spices (like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or cardamom pods) along with the vinegar, sweetener, and ginger in step one. Allow them to steep with the ginger for enhanced flavor.