Switchel

Is it good for weight loss?

Would sugar-free maple syrup be a substitute? As a diabetic honey is definitely out for me. So is regular syrup. What about artificial sweeteners?

Just made this - yum! I used powdered ginger since I didn't have any fresh and this was a test run. Turned out a little cloudy, but still good. I mixed the syrup and vinegar separately so I can add to sparkling water and adjust the intensity. Will be making more!

Perfect timing. My city in NZ has always had fabulous artesian water but, due to a health scare in another city - another island infact, the authorities have recently decided to chlorinate it. Although we knew our water was wonderful, I don't think any of us realised how lucky we had been so we are now desperately searching for ways to disguise the taste.
This not only sounds like it would work and be delicious l also already have all the ingredients l need. Win win! Thank you.

My son is diabetic — can you use a non sugar sweetener?

We buy a variation of this from Carr's Cider House in western Massachusetts. It has cider syrup instead of maple syrup. Like shrub, you buy a bottle as concentrate and then dilute it to your taste. For a refreshing and not-too-alcoholic cocktail, I put a jigger of switchel and a jigger of Calvados in a glass with ice cubes and fill to the top with seltzer.

It and shrub also work with Pomagranate molasses...less sweet, bit more tart.

Yes, this has got to be healthy, but a little dark rum would be REALLY good here!!!

I was wondering how long will this keep in the fridg if I make it in a big batch. Also how much do you drink a day and can you drink to much.
I suffer from insomnia often and don't do caffeine but is this something I should not drink late in the day. I really want to try this.

I was first introduced to "ginger water" over 50 years ago, while haying on a farm in Cambridge, Vermont. I was about 10. Switchel, aka ginger water, is native to the Caribbean, so the batch I drank had some molasses in it. The first swig hit like a 2X4, but by the end of the day I was drinking it down almost as if I knew what a square-bale really was. Start with a cup of raw ACV. Add a half cup of molasses and up to a cup of maple syrup and/or honey. Next add a heaping tablespoon of ground ginger or 4-5 Tbls. freshly grated ginger. A teaspoon of sea salt will keep you sweating. Top off a gallon thermos with cold water and stash the jug under the tractor's seat. It will be well mixed by break time.

We've been drinking this great stuff for over 20 years. My husband swears by it for refreshing your body and mind when working outside. Before that we drank just ACV and honey, like Bragg's mixture. This also good with black-strap molasseses .

Very tasty and refreshing drink. (Plus, I chopped up the ginger, after straining it out, and used it in a stir fry for dinner.) I'm trying to wean my DH off of Gatorade, and this might just work!

SO looking forward to making this. And since everyone in the comment is on a shrub kick...can we gather some of these recipes?? Watermelon/mint shrub has been a little bit life-changing for me and I'd love to find some other suggestions!

Just made a batch, can't wait to try it.

I just made a large batch of this (x4) and assumed it would be like a shrub, which I drink a lot of. its more mellow than a shrub, and very satisfying in the heat. I followed your proportions closely, and was excited to find that it did not really remind me of the ubiquitous honey ginger concoction I make when I'm sick. This is going into permanent rotation on the fridge door.

This sounds similar to a shrub, where vinegar is flavoured with fruit and sugar, then used as a soda base.

There is a great description of Ma Ingalls making this drink for Pa in one of the "Little House" books...can't remember which one. He was making hay and Laura was dispatched to deliver a jug to Pa in the field. It's just as refreshing in real life!