Switchel
Surprisingly very good and not vinegary at all, this is more like a really gingery apple pie. Delicious on its own or with rum
City/Region: United States of America
Time Period: 1856
Switchel went by many names, including Yankee punch, swizzle, ginger pop, ginger water (readers of Little House on the Prairie will recognize this one), and haymaker’s punch. I was surprised at how much I liked this, and it’s a wonder why it ever went out of fashion. There’s a bit of vinegar in the smell, but not really in the taste, which is more appley, like a gingery apple pie.
This is much easier and quicker to make than shrub, another vinegar-based drink that I made previously. Definitely try this out!
“Harvest Drink
Mix with five gallons of good water, half a gallon of molasses, one quart of vinegar, and two ounces of powdered ginger. This will make not only a very pleasant beverage, but one highly invigorating and healthful.”
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 gallons (4.7 L) water
- 1 cup (235 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (14 g) powdered ginger
- 2 cups (475 ml) molasses or maple syrup (or a mixture of both)
- Rum, if desired
Instructions:
- In a large jug, add the sweetener to the water and stir well.
- Add the vinegar and powdered ginger and whisk until well mixed, then chill thoroughly.
- Add your favorite rum if you’d like, then serve it forth.