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

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City/Region: United States of America

Time Period: 1856

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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.”

— Practical American Cookery and Domestic Economy by Elizabeth M. Hall, 1856

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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:

1. In a large jug, add the sweetener to the water and stir well.
2. Add the vinegar and powdered ginger and whisk until well mixed, then chill thoroughly.
3. Add your favorite rum if you’d like, then serve it forth.

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