Many people haven’t heard of switchel (aka haymakers punch) but it has been made since the 1700s and serves as a healthier version of Gatorade. Even Ma Ingalls (from the Little House books) knew that drinking plain water could make someone sick when they had been working very hard and sweating so she prepared them a “sweetened ginger drink”.
Molasses used to commonly be used to sweeten the drink (and contains the most minerals) but maple syrup and honey have gained in popularity too. We have tried it all the ways and our favorite is a little honey AND maple syrup. And in case you needed some good news in the world, you should know that it has been a record breaking year for maple syrup in Wisconsin! It’s just flowing down all the roads, we have to use canoes to get around! Haha!
The drink also contains some raw apple cider vinegar which gives a pleasant pucker and numerous health benefits. We love it cut with carbonated water and ice cubes (such opulence!) but using plain water is fine too. We make a half gallon at a time and keep it in a big mason jar in the fridge and fix it with about 1/3 switchel concentrate and 2/3 fizzy water. It’s nice to be able to adjust the amounts as necessary, like if the kids want a treat I might just give them a splash in their cup with lots of fizzy water but if Luke comes in with his shirt all drenched I might not dilute it much at all. We all enjoy this drink but especially Luke (who tends to be the hardest worker in the family) feels much more revived from switchel than things he used to drink (like when he worked for the university and would drive to the gas station on summer afternoons for a coke).
You can also add this to iced tea or add lemon or add fruit to it (but then it’s called a shrub). But there’s no rules about amounts, you can make it the way that tastes best to you. I love spice so I like it extra gingery! Don’t fret about measuring the amounts just right it, will be great with more or less!
Ingredients
3-5 inch piece fresh ginger (peeled, chopped into 1/2” rounds)
6 cups water
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar (like Braggs brand)
4 tbsp honey
4 tbsp maple syrup
Carbonated water and ice cubes to finish (optional)
Method
Bring your peeled and chopped ginger to a boil in the water.
When it begins to boil turn off heat and let sit until cool. The longer you let it sit, the stronger your ginger infusion will be. We usually let it sit a few hours. You can let it sit up to 4 days on the counter in a closed jar.
Dissolve honey and syrup in a little hot water in a half gallon jar or a pitcher.
Add your apple cider vinegar to the jar.
Add ginger concentrate to the jar.
Give switchel a shake before serving.
To serve, we make it with about 1/3 switchel concentrate and 2/3 carbonated water and ice cubes. Stay cool and enjoy!
Here’s a few springtime videos we have made recently! Luke shows you the farm we are renting and talks about the plans for it. Then Katie shows you how we take care of day old chicks. And finally a little botany/biology lesson on what proper grazing does to the grass and soil and what the goals of it are.
A worker man in need of a glass of switchel!