Simple Ginger Switchel Recipe (2024)

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Hop on the trend train with this Simple Ginger Switchel Recipe!

Much like kombucha a few years back, switchel is beverage straight from the history books that's making something of a comeback. And the good news — switchel is surprisingly easy to make at home!

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What the Heck Is Switchel?

Simply, switchel is a vinegar-based drink often made with water, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and a sweetener. Traditionally, molasses was used to sweeten the drink, but maple syrup and honey were also popular choices.

Switchel goes by other names, too. It's also called haymaker's punch, swizzle, or switzel.

Historians debate where switchel originated, but most name its origin as The Caribbean Islands. Despite that, though, the drink became synonymous with American culture — more so than apple pie.

Water was not always safe to drink back in the day, so people came up with other options. Switchel became popular because it's tart and sweet, was cheap to make, and provided a "burn" thanks to the ginger that was similar to alcohol without the unproductive side effect of intoxication.

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Laborers, farmers, and enslaved workers drank switchel while out in the fields. On the flip side, the tart drink was common among politicians and Harvard students, too (who spiked it with rum).

Benefits of Switchel

Early American Switchel-lovers were ahead of their time!

More recently, the world has dubbed switchel "nature's Gatorade" because it helps replenish electrolytes and quench thirst. Let's break it down:

It Restores Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals in our bodily fluids that carry an electrical charge. They transmit the voltage necessary for things like muscle contractions and nerve signalling. You lose electrolytes anytime you expel bodily fluids —like through sweat or urine.

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Electrolyte imbalance can lead to sore muscles, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and more. You can see why electrolyte drinks are so popular and important for athletes, vigorous exercisers, and physical laborers!

You can easily replenish your body by consuming foods or drinks that contain electrically-charged minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride.

Turns out apple cider vinegar, the star ingredient of switchel, is rich in potassium! Plus, pure maple syrup contains potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium. So this drink makes an excellent all-natural alternative to sugar-packed sports drinks.

It Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is at the root of many biological issues. I'm especially concerned with inflammation because hidradenitis suppurativa — read more about that here— is an inflammatory skin condition.

So how does switchel help? Ginger, one of the key ingredients in this switchel recipe, naturally suppresses inflammatory enzymes.

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On top of that, ginger has an active component called gingerol. Gingerol works as a natural pain-reliever.

Reducing inflammation and restoring electrolytes make switchel an easy choice as a post-workout tonic — less sore muscles!

Daily Dose of Apple Cider Vinegar

Remember when the internet went crazy over the "miraculous" health benefits of apple cider vinegar?

Well, the stuff isn't going to cure every ailment that comes your way, but ACV does have some sweet benefits.

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Raw ACV with the mother is a source of potassium, magnesium, and probiotics. It also helps balance the body's natural pH levels and keeps blood sugar levels in check.

Apple cider vinegar is the star ingredient of homemade switchel, so it's a great way to get your daily dose of ACV!

How to Make Homemade Switchel

Sold on the benefits? Let's move on and make some switchel!

Seriously, this good-for-you beverage is surprisingly simple to make. Once I started testing it out, I couldn't help but shake my head that I had never tried it before.

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Assemble your ingredients — you only need four, and one of them is water. Apple cider vinegar, fresh chopped ginger, pure maple syrup, and water. SIMPLE.

Combine all the ingredients in a large jug or carafe. Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight. Finally, refrigerate and drink when cool.

You can add more water to dilute it if the vinegar taste is a little strong for you. Personally, I like drinking it as a more concentrated "shot".

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Simple Ginger Switchel Recipe (8)

Simple Ginger Switchel Recipe

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Description

This simple ginger switchel recipe creates a benefit-rich beverage perfect for beating the heat of summer. Switch it up by using honey instead of maple syrup or by adding fresh herbs (like mint) and fruit (like blueberries)!

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large jug or carafe. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 12 hours to overnight. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve to separate the ginger chunks out of the switchel. Refrigerate until ready to drink!

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Simple Ginger Switchel Recipe (9)
Simple Ginger Switchel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens when you mix ginger and vinegar? ›

Combining apple cider vinegar with honey and ginger creates a powerful boost of antioxidants that aids in digestion and weight loss. This drink can help to combat indigestion, nausea and bloating. Some folks notice a relief in their acid reflux symptoms when they drink this mixture regularly.

Does apple cider vinegar replace electrolytes? ›

But, taking apple cider vinegar along with water, can aid in replenishing your fluids and electrolytes.

What are the benefits of drinking switchel? ›

Recently, switchel has made a comeback, with numerous companies making bottled versions and homemade recipes appearing online. The beverage is touted to have numerous benefits, including improved gut health, electrolyte replenishment during exercise, and blood sugar stabilization.

Is switchel a probiotic? ›

This microorganism called Alex is made up of millions of cells, not many of which are human cells.” 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.

What not to mix ginger with? ›

Avoid using ginger together with other herbal/health supplements that can lower blood sugar, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, damiana, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

What are the side effects of eating ginger everyday? ›

It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects. When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term. It might cause skin irritation for some people.

Is it okay to mix apple cider vinegar with ginger? ›

Have you heard of switchel? This refreshing drink dates back to the 1700s, when farmers enjoyed the drink in the fields as a way to cool down during hot days. With inflammation-reducing ginger and apple cider vinegar, it's an easy-to-make drink brimming with healing ingredients.

Does apple cider vinegar interact with ginger? ›

Yes, it is generally safe to consume apple cider vinegar, lemon, and ginger together. This combination can be a part of a healthy diet and is often used in various home remedies and health drinks.

What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar and ginger shots? ›

Drinking a apple cider vinegar straight shot of ginger and apple offers a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to maintain a healthy immune system.

Why does ginger turn pink in vinegar? ›

Ginger root naturally has a small amount of pink pigment in it, remember that ginger flowers are pink, if you harvest the roots when they are still young (and more tender) they have enough of the pigment in them that when you pickle them in rice vinegar they turn pink.

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