Making Switchel

[JasonFrishman]

My new favorite drink, also seems to have good health properties!
So, last Fall, I made a 5 gallon bucket full of apple cider vinegar. What was I going to do with it?
After some research, I discovered Switchel. Made it a few times with a few variations, and it has been my morning tonic all winter!

My favorite version has been: 2 ounces (or so) of the apple cider vinegar [experiment with this, my home made stuff is not as strong as the store bought stuff, like Bragg's), a nice glug of maple syrup, and top it off with cold water or seltzer.   sometimes i stir in some ginger, or even a bit of fruit. but just with the water, maple and apple cider vinegar, it is a super refreshing, yummy beverage.

here are some links about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchel
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/switchel.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-switchel.htm
http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/m093002.htm
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/ginger_switchel.html

Anyone have any experience with this wonderful drink?

[Suzanne Podhaizer]

I've heard of it before, but didn't know exactly what it was. I do have all the ingredients on hand, so I may just try some tomorrow morning.

I've always been fascinated by unusual old drinks with cool names. After reading A Christmas Carol as a young 'un, I really wanted to try a wine and fruit beverage called "smoking bishop," so my mom invented a non-alcoholic version for me. I'm also into glögg, sarsaparilla and hot buttered rum. 

[JasonFrishman]

I LOVE GLOGG!

Did you try the Switchel?
I am actually thinking of offering it down at the farmers' market, i wonder how it would go over...

I also love the old timey kind of drinks... a few years back i made a really traditional ginger beer (think Reeds, but even better). It went down really well as a Dark and Stormy!

Now, I've never tried hot buttered rum, but what could be bad about it?!
-jason

[Undead Molly]

I grew up on my family's dairy farm in Waterville, Vermont. I remember everyone drinking switchel during haying time, and also pickle juice! They'd save up jars of pickle juice for months before haying. I think they also drank switchel for hangovers.