What Is A Switchel And Why You Should Be Making It

Known as switchel, switzel, swizzle, switchy, ginger water or haymaker’s punch, Switchel is essentially a health tonic and a great DIY alternative to energy drinks.

The drink is a tart and pleasantly pungent mix of apple cider vinegar and maple syrup that’s diluted with water and drunk as an energy and electrolyte boost.

When making a big batch of switchel, it’s important to use the best ingredients you can find. This recipe easily doubles, triples, and quadruples, making it great for storing in the fridge or sharing with friends.

Ingredients

  • 1 5″-piece fresh ginger (about 6 ounces)
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 4 cups water or club soda
  • Mint sprigs (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pass ginger through a juicer (you should have about ⅓ cup). Combine ginger juice, vinegar, maple syrup, and lime juice in a large pitcher and stir until maple syrup is dissolved. Chill until cold.
  2. To serve, dilute with water and pour switchel into ice-filled glasses; garnish with mint.