Switchel Recipe with Cider Vinegar & Molasses
Switchel, a refreshing energy drink made with molasses, cider vinegar, fresh ginger and lemon. Mixed with sparkling water, it’s a versatile drink for steamy summer days.
Switchel is an old drink that farmers relied on during haying season. On those scorching summer days in the field, farmers needed lots of water and a boost of energy to get them through that back breaking job. That’s how switchel was born. Brought to the field in huge pails the mixture combined water for hydration with molasses for energy and electrolytes, and ginger and cider vinegar for flavour and their own nutritional benefits.
This recipe makes a concentrate that you can then mix with sparkling water, to taste, for a refreshing, restorative drink in the dog days of summer.
Switchel Recipe with Cider Vinegar & Molasses
Switchel recipe, a refreshing energy drink made with molasses, cider vinegar, fresh ginger and lemon. A restorative drink for hot summer days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
- 1-inch knob of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
- Lemon juice to taste
Instructions
-
- In a saucepan combine water, molasses and ginger.
- Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and when cool to room temperature remove ginger pieces and stir in cider vinegar and lemon juice.
- Add concentrate to sparkling water, to taste.
Notes
Lasts in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Diane
I love plein air painting and I water down this delicious brew with some water so it lasts me for a few hours. It is so refreshing! On its own it tastes like a cider without the alcohol. I will make this for the summer time from now on. Thanks Crosby’s
elme
my morning beverage consists of two tbspoons mollasses, half tbspoon ginger, a little curry in a cup of milk, stirred thoroughly it carried me nicely to age 93.nwvim going ba ck for more
Crosby Molasses
Good morning, I love the sound of your morning tonic. The curry is a nice addition. Such a cozy way to start the day.
Ben Mcfarlane
My grandmother used to talk about this, and I’ve been wanting to try it for a long time. When she described it and said “it was the best drink for summertime” I sort of believed her, but could never imagine drinking such a thing. I’m going to try it though. I have all the ingredients.
Crosby Molasses
Hi Ben, I hope you tried it. So refreshing.
George Roberts
I can remember when I was a lad on my grandfathers farm my grandmother would bring this drink out to the fields for us. I did not know what it was called nor did I care . All I knew it tasted like no other drink and it was the best. When you drank it you could feel the sweat leave your body and that burst of energy. The best of all is that you did not sweat as much the rest of the day . Thanks for the memories Mr. Crosby.
Crosby Molasses
Hi George, What a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing.