Switchel, also known as haymaker punch, is a refreshing drink that originated in the Caribbean. It is a delicious, slightly effervescent beverage made by mixing vinegar with water, sweetened with molasses, and sometimes lightly seasoned with ginger. Honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup are also used in various regional versions.
Switchel made its way from the islands to the American colonies, becoming a popular summer drink by the late 1600s. Over the next 200 years, “switch” became the traditional drink served to thirsty farmers harvesting hay. This is why it came to be called Haymakers Punch, another common name.
Vermont has a variation called Haymakers Oat Water that uses oats and molasses. I didn’t like that particular adaptation, but I do love a switchel made with honey, raw apple cider vinegar, and ginger! It’s a great beverage if you want a biotic drink.
Switchel can be compared to ginger beer or homemade ginger ale using lemon or lime juice and a starter culture. Switchel uses (raw) vinegar instead of juice and doesn’t require a starter, making it super simple for first-time homebrewers.
Your pantry will most likely have all the ingredients you need to make a batch of switchles.
You won’t believe Switchl can quench your thirst! No wonder for centuries it was the drink of choice for those who worked hard in the summer heat on farms.
As a culture, I don’t know how we’ve moved away from healthy, delicious drinks like Switchl. Why did I fall for a chemically colored/flavored, chemical-laden, GMO franken-sweetened sports drink? It has been shown to contribute to excess belly fat, and worse!
Switchel to help GERD patients
Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to a glass of water is a time-honored reflux therapy for people suffering from reflux. The downside of antacids is an increased risk of heart attack (1) and possible cancer (2).
If you are using ACV and water tricks to manage your reflux symptoms, you should try switchel. Drinking Switchel gives you all the benefits of ACV and water, but it tastes so much better! People will love it and enjoy drinking it.
This drink works well as a remedy for acid reflux, but keep in mind that ultimately you have to get to the source of the problem causing your acid reflux in the first place. This article on making natural reflux remedies includes a discussion of this issue. This way you will never reach the unpleasant symptoms of endless belching, bloating, burning throat and overall stomach discomfort.
About apple cider vinegar used in Switchel
Make sure the apple cider vinegar you use to make switchle is raw and in a glass jar, ACV is like kombucha. It’s acidic and can suck toxins out of plastic containers. To avoid ingesting hormone-disrupting chemicals in a glass of Switchle, stick to glass-packed ACV!
Interested in how to make your own apple cider vinegar? The linked article has step-by-step instructions with lots of pictures.
*Please note that the switchl recipe below is suitable for GAPS as it is made with honey.
Traditional switchl recipe
This recipe below makes about 1/2 gallon. You can make it, chill it, and eat it in no time. This makes it a great substitute for fermented beverages that take days to prepare, such as homemade root beer, probiotic lemonade, or orangena.
Preparation time 5 minutes
serving 8
Author Sarah Pope
material
2 quarts of filtered water
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup raw honey
2 teaspoons ginger, preferably organic
1 teaspoon turmeric (optional, powdered, preferably organic)
1 pinch cardamom (optional, powdered, preferably organic)
instructions
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. If you want, you can add ice at this point and drink the Switchle immediately.
If you prefer more carbonated drinks, do this extra step. Slowly pour the mixture into a large glass jar fitted with a wire and ball stopper and screw the lid on.
Leave the sealed bottle on the counter for at least 2-3 days (up to 1-2 weeks is fine if your kitchen is very cool), carbonate, and refrigerate. Only open slowly in the sink when the drink is very cold to prevent explosions and switches from bubbling up from the bottle and making a mess.
If you used fresh ginger, sift the switchl as you pour it from the bottle into the glass.
Enjoy as is or with ice cream. Store unused portion in glass container and refrigerate.
recipe notebook
Orange Blossom or Tupelo Honey taste great in this recipe!
You can substitute 2.5 tablespoons of fresh, grated ginger in place of ginger powder.
Purchasing Switchels
If you don’t want to make your own, you can buy Switchel online. It’s that easy! Try making it at least once before deciding to buy.
This article was originally published on thehealthyhomeeconomist.com.
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