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A mason jar mug filled with ice and a ginger switchel drink, garnished with a sprig of spearmint. There is a carafe of switchel in the background.

Ginger Switchel: A Natural Electrolyte Drink

Last Modified: May 23, 2020 // by Tracy Ariza, DDS // May 23, 2020 I may receive a commission if you purchase through links in this post. Learn more here.

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One of the most refreshing and natural electrolyte drinks, the ginger switchel, also known as Haymaker's punch, is regaining popularity partly because of its health benefits, and partly just because it is delicious and perfectly hydrating. #switchel #gingerrecipes #thethingswellmake #healthydrinkrecipes #summerrecipes
One of the most refreshing and natural electrolyte drinks, the ginger switchel, also known as Haymaker's punch, is regaining popularity partly because of its health benefits, and partly just because it is delicious and perfectly hydrating. #switchel #gingerrecipes #thethingswellmake #healthydrinkrecipes #summerrecipes

One of the most refreshing and natural electrolyte drinks, the ginger switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch, is regaining popularity partly because of its health benefits, and partly just because it is delicious and perfectly hydrating.

A mason jar mug filled with ice and a ginger switchel drink, garnished with a sprig of spearmint. There is a carafe of switchel in the background.
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A few years ago, I discovered a refreshing drink that I wish I had discovered earlier, the ginger switchel. It was completely new to me. I came across it by accident one day when looking to make myself something to settle my stomach.

I had been drinking ginger tea, but it was so hot outside that I wanted something more refreshing. My plan was to make a simple, healthy ginger ale. First, though, I decided to look for other ideas online.

That’s how I first stumbled across the switchel.

What is the ginger switchel?

The switchel is an old fashioned American drink made with apple cider vinegar, and molasses, honey, or maple syrup. It also often includes ginger. It was originally made to rehydrate farmers and other people who worked outside in the sun all day. That’s why it’s also sometimes referred to as “Haymakers punch”.

With more people going back to a more traditional lifestyle, the switchel is beginning to make a comeback.

Why make it?

Think of the switchel as a traditional, healthier, natural electrolyte drink. People made this at home before all of the sugar-laden, artificially-colored sports drinks hit the stores.

The ginger switchel combines the healthy probiotics of apple cider vinegar with the antioxidants and minerals of the maple syrup and molasses. Those get combined with the nausea-settling and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger.

When I searched for more information about the switchel, I found some commercial switchels for sale online. They were quite expensive, though. At 6 dollars for a 2 cup bottle, not everybody can afford it.

Despite being hip and trendy, the switchel isn’t only for the elite. Anybody can make their own ginger switchel at home inexpensively. By making it yourself, you can choose the ingredients you want to use and adjust the recipe to suit your taste.

Ingredients

The ingredients of the switchel vary from recipe to recipe, but there are a few things that all of the recipes normally have in common.

Overhead view of the ingredients for a ginger switchel, ginger, molasses, maple syrup, and applecider vinegar around an empty glass pitcher.

Apple cider vinegar

The switchel gets its tart, acidic flavor from vinegar. I love using homemade apple cider vinegar because I think the flavor is better and milder than that the apple cider vinegar sold in the store. You can use other kinds of vinegar instead, though, or even a combination of different types of vinegar. I have made a very tasty switchel combining the apple cider vinegar with a homemade ginger vinegar.

Because homemade apple cider vinegar is quite mild, consider increasing the amount of vinegar used in the recipe, as needed.

Sweetener

Traditionally, the switchel is made with molasses, but it may also be sweetened with either honey or maple syrup. Of course, when making it yourself, you can sweeten it however you like.

Molasses is a great addition to this drink because it adds minerals and gives a distinct flavor, but too much of it can be very overpowering rather than light and refreshing. So, you can play with the ratio of molasses and maple syrup to find a combination that suits your taste.

I used less sweetener than most. If you don’t find my recipe sweet enough to suit your taste, feel free to add more maple syrup or molasses. Keep in mind, though, that too much sugar, even in natural forms like maple syrup, isn’t beneficial for your health.

Panela would probably also be a tasty choice for a sweetener in this drink if you don’t want to use maple syrup or honey.

Ginger

Ginger is quite common in switchel recipes and adds a lovely flavor. Being prebiotic and anti-inflammatory, it combines wonderfully with apple cider vinegar, a probiotic. Both aid digestion.

Preparation

Making the ginger switchel couldn’t be much easier!

  • Add sliced ginger.
  • Add vinegar.
  • Add maple syrup.
  • Add molasses.
  • Muddle the ginger.
  • Add water.
  • Serve chilled.

Begin by peeling the ginger root. That can easily be accomplished using a spoon to scrape off the skin.

The ginger can either be grated, sliced, or cut it into tiny pieces. If mincing or grating it, you should end up with about 2 tablespoons of minced ginger. Grating helps release the flavors of the ginger more quickly, so it may be the best option if you will be serving the drink immediately. If slicing the ginger, it’s best to allow it to steep for several hours to give off more flavor.

Add the ginger, vinegar(s), and sweeteners to a 1-quart pitcher and press the ginger against the side of the pitcher with a wooden spoon to help muddle it and release the flavor. (If using grated ginger, you can skip the muddling.)

A mason jar mug filled with ice and a ginger switchel drink, garnished with a sprig of spearmint. There is a carafe of switchel and some ginger and spearmint in the background.

Fill the rest of the pitcher with water, adding around 4 cups. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for several hours, or overnight, to help infuse the water with the ginger and to allow the flavors to meld together.

Adjust the flavor to suit your taste, if needed. For more acidity, add more vinegar. For a sweeter drink, add more maple syrup.

Serve the drink cold. If you have used minced ginger, you can optionally strain it out before serving it.

Video

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A mason jar mug filled with ice and a ginger switchel drink, garnished with a sprig of spearmint. There is a carafe of switchel and some ginger and spearmint in the background.

Ginger Switchel

One of the most refreshing and natural electrolyte drinks, the ginger switchel, also known as Haymaker's Punch, is regaining popularity partly because of its health benefits, and partly just because it is delicious and perfectly hydrating.
4.67 from 6 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 46kcal
Author: Tracy Ariza, DDS

Equiment

  • Glass pitcher

Ingredients

  • 1/8 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 inch ginger root
  • 1 Tbsp. molasses
  • 4 cups water

Instructions

  • Peel and cut about an inch of ginger root. You can either grate it, slice it, or cut it into tiny pieces.
    If you will be serving immediately, grating helps release the flavors of the ginger more quickly. If slicing the ginger, it's best to allow it to steep for several hours to give off more flavor.
  • Add the ginger, vinegar, and sweeteners to the bottom of a 1-quart pitcher. Press the ginger against the side of the pitcher with a wooden spoon to help muddle it and release the flavor. (If using grated ginger, you can skip the muddling.)
  • Fill the rest of the pitcher with water (around 4 cups of water).
  • Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill for several hours, or overnight. This helps infuse the water with the ginger flavor and helps the flavors meld together.
  • Adjust the flavors to suit your taste, if needed. For more acidity, add more vinegar. For a sweeter drink, add more maple syrup.
  • Optionally strain out the ginger before serving.
  • Serve the drink cold, with or without ice.

Notes

This recipe makes around 1 quart. You can also make a more concentrated version (with less water) and then mix it with soda water for a slightly carbonated beverage.
The maple syrup can be substituted with other sweeteners (like honey) as desired.
 
Course Beverages
Cuisine American
Special Diets Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword summer
Other Diets Dairy free, Paleo
Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @thethingswellmake or tag #thethingswellmake!
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 107mg | Sugar: 10g | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

This post was originally published on September 8, 2015. It was completely rewritten, adding new photos and video in May of 2020.

Category: Beverages & Smoothies

About Tracy Ariza, DDS

Tracy Ariza, B.A., D.D.S., left dentistry and the United States to found Oh, The Things We’ll Make!, writing to you from the Spanish Riviera. She loves making things herself in order to keep control of what goes in them. While far from perfect, she strives each day to live a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Previous Post: « 4 glass jars filled with 4 different types of colorful sprinkles made from shredded coconut. From left to right: green, purple, yellow, and bright pink. Homemade Healthy Sprinkles (Paleo)
Next Post: Pickled Ginger for Sushi (Gari) Top view of an open jar of pickled ginger that has been colored pink with beetroot. It's next to a small bowl filled with pickled ginger slices and some chopsticks. »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacey

    October 22, 2020 at 4:46 AM

    5 stars
    I wanted to try this, but don’t have any fresh ginger at the moment. I had a thought to try with some ginger lemon tea and decided to add sparkling water to the warm mix. I’ve made acv, honey and water drink for my tummy, but this combo sounded even better, and it is – somewhere between a sparkling apple cider and a warm ginger ale! Thanks much for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza, DDS

      October 26, 2020 at 7:06 PM

      That sounds great! You’re welcome, Stacey. I love anything ginger and lemon. šŸ˜‰

      Reply
  2. Hillary

    June 12, 2020 at 6:19 PM

    Can you make this with just the molasses and omit the maple syrup?

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza, DDS

      June 13, 2020 at 7:50 AM

      Hi Hillary,
      Yes, of course.
      It won’t be as sweet, though. (You could also sub the maple syrup with a different sweetener like honey if you find it’s not sweet enough with only molasses.)

      Reply
  3. Amy

    May 18, 2020 at 4:07 PM

    It’ll be fun adding the maple syrup that we make from our trees, extra homemade! But how long does switchel last in the refrigerator?

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza, DDS

      May 18, 2020 at 10:19 PM

      Hi Amy,
      I’m not really sure, to be honest. We normally drink it within a day or two. I’d think that the ingredients should keep longer than that, but I don’t really know.
      I actually made this today and have been working on making a video and updating the post. I was proud of myself for using homemade apple cider vinegar, but you have me beat with the homemade maple syrup. That sounds amazing!

      Reply
  4. Ricky Francis

    April 12, 2018 at 8:40 PM

    I made mine with 1/4 tablespoon salt 1/4 tablespoon soda and 1 cup of sugar with juce or flavoring of your choice old time electrolytes

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      April 13, 2018 at 10:40 AM

      Hi Ricky,
      Thanks for contributing your recipe. šŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Cathy

        March 6, 2020 at 11:51 PM

        Hi there,
        What’s the electrolyte in it?

        Reply
        • Tracy Ariza, DDS

          February 6, 2021 at 9:52 PM

          Hi Cathy,
          The Molasses is rich in minerals and vitamins like iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium.

          Reply
  5. Victoria

    February 22, 2017 at 9:00 PM

    I drink It! Every day, I Put cinnamon, ginger, vinegar and lemon,

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      February 23, 2017 at 12:32 PM

      Oh, that sounds yummy, Victoria!
      I’ve been doing hot lemon water with ginger in the winter, but love a good switchel in the summer when it’s hot out! šŸ˜‰

      Reply
    • Brenda

      June 28, 2022 at 5:45 PM

      Victoria,
      That’s a Winning Combination with the Ginger Root! I Love It!

      Reply
  6. Scott aka. Musky

    December 2, 2015 at 10:49 PM

    Tracy thanks for sharing. I’ve been trying to find a recipe with a good balance of sweet/tart. I haven’t quite got it right yet so I look forward to trying yours. I think the maple could be just the thing.

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      December 3, 2015 at 12:40 PM

      Hi Scott,
      Yes, with these sorts of things taste is very personal. I had to tweak it a bit to get it the way I liked it. I hope you like it too, or it at least helps you with ideas for being able to find just the right mix for you. šŸ™‚
      For me the the maple syrup was definitely an integral part of getting it right.

      Reply
  7. Vernon

    October 4, 2015 at 12:44 AM

    Sounds refreshing! I’m going to give it a go.

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      October 4, 2015 at 8:22 AM

      Thanks, Vernon.
      I really liked it. I hope you do too!

      Reply

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Hello, I’m Tracy!

I love making my own natural products like soaps and lotions and my own pantry items like yogurt and salad dressings.
Why do I do it? Sometimes to save money, sometimes because it's healthier, but I always love having control of the ingredients!​
Oh, the things we'll make!...

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