I’ve developed a small food obsession: Ginger Switchel, an old-fashioned cooling beverage. Thought to have originated in the Caribbean and brought to the American colonies by the late 1600s, this drink also appears in literature — from Herman Melville to Laura Ingalls Wilder. A passage in The Long Winter tipped me toward trying it. For those unfamiliar, Ginger Switchel is simply cold water infused with ginger (fresh and/or dried), lightly sweetened with honey or brown sugar, and brightened with a splash of raw apple cider vinegar.
At first glance, the ingredient list — raw apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, and water — looks strange to modern tastes. But Ginger Switchel is remarkably refreshing and surprisingly habit-forming. In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book, Ma prepares ginger-water for Pa and Laura while they’re haying, explaining that the vinegar and ginger make the cold water safe to drink when they’re overheated and that the ginger “warms their stomachs so they could drink till they were not thirsty.” Plain cold water can sometimes upset a hot, overworked stomach, while a ginger-and-vinegar infusion soothes and replenishes.
The benefits are practical as well as pleasant:
- Raw apple cider vinegar contributes potassium, an important electrolyte that helps restore balance and recover from dehydration — similar in purpose to sports drinks but without artificial additives.
- Water provides essential hydration.
- Ginger has a long history of calming nausea and soothing the stomach. It’s also mildly anti-inflammatory and a gentle stimulant, which may help nutrients and electrolytes be absorbed more quickly. And, importantly, it tastes wonderful.
- Honey adds sweetness with a subtle flavor dimension unlike plain sugar. Raw honey also offers mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe a dry throat caused by hot, dusty work. It contains antioxidants and trace minerals, including potassium.
Most importantly, Ginger Switchel tastes great: icy cold, slightly sweet, tangy, and ginger-forward. It’s a refreshing alternative to lemonade with the added bonus that its common ingredients are usually easier to keep on hand than fresh lemons.
Cook’s Notes
- I recommend using both ground and fresh ginger for depth of flavor. If you don’t have fresh ginger, double the dried amount called for in the recipe.
- I prefer raw honey for its flavor and potential benefits, but pasteurized honey will work if needed. Choose a mild-flavored honey, such as wildflower or orange blossom.
- Taste the drink before refrigerating to adjust sweetness. I like mine less sweet for a more refreshing effect, but adjust to your preference.
- Let the switchel infuse in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours; up to 36 hours is fine. The flavor often improves with time. I use the visual cue of the liquid becoming crystal clear and any sediment settling to the bottom to know it’s ready.
- Serve the switchel as-is over ice or mix with seltzer or club soda. Some people add fruit pieces, though I usually keep it simple.
- Ginger Switchel also works nicely in cocktails and mocktails — try it as a mixology component.
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Prep Tips {use this to make Ginger Switchel more easily}
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Spoons
- Juice Jar or Pitcher
Ginger Switchel {hot weather drink}
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mild honey
- 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger
- 1 inch fresh ginger root sliced into coins and lightly crushed to release juices
- fresh cold water
Instructions
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Combine the honey, raw apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger in the bottom of a quart (or 1 liter) jar with a tight-fitting lid. Whisk or stir until combined, add the crushed fresh ginger coins, then fill the jar with cold water, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Secure the lid and shake the jar, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 36 hours. Remove the ginger pieces before serving. Enjoy over ice or topped with plain seltzer or club soda.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. For precise values, calculate using the exact ingredients you use.
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Do you like this Ginger Switchel? You might enjoy these other non-alcoholic drinks, too!
- Pomegranate Mulled Cider
- Hot Buttered Rum (Non-Alcoholic)
- Tropical Pink
- Apple Pie Punch
- Cranberry Lime Spritzer
- Golden Honey Milk
- Fire Cider Health Tonic
