Switchel--thirst quenching drink

[miss_thenorth]

I had heard asbout this years ago, and finally found the recipe on hillbilly housewife, so, seeing how hot it is here, I made some up. It tastes something like gingerale without the fizz. also, if you are one of the manywho drink ACV for therapeutic reasons,it is a nice way to get it down.

■1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (yes vinegar)
■1/4 cup molasses
■1/2 cup sugar or honey
■1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
■1/2 cup oatmeal (optional)
■tap water to make 2 quarts


I made this using about 3/4 the amount of ACV, because my bottle became empty. And I did not use the oatmeal. Even hubby liked it. the kids said it needed fizz--they said it had the flavour of gingerale, but needed the fizz, so next time I make a batch of water kefir,I am going to add this to the kefir--minus the water.

Try it and let me know what you think.

 

[TanksHill]

It sounds good. But two questions???? What the heck is the oatmeal for? And can I use minced ginger from the fridge instead???


I might have to give it a go.

Thanks.

g

 

[miss_thenorth]

According to the hillbilly housewife website, the oatmeal is to give it body. and yes, the next time I make it, I am going to shave up some ginger and put it in and let it blend overnight.

here's the link: http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/switchel.htm

 

[Marianne]

I had to try it and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised! Even DH rather likes it. He said he'd prefer a bit less molasses, but I think it will get better after it blends a bit. I didn't use the oatmeal.

I used sugar on this first batch only because at $7 a small jar for honey, I kind of didn't want to use it on an untried recipe. I'll use it next time, though.

 

[TanksHill]

I just made it. I have the jar in the fridge. The whole family tried it and will try it again in the morning.

I have to tell you, I drink Captain Morgan and Ginger ale and I am thinking this might be a tasty substitute.

I used minced ginger from my fridge. A bit strong. I might water things down a bit in the morning.


Thanks for sharing.

g

ps and no oats.

 

[miss_thenorth]

the acv kinda intigued me whe I heard about it before, so when I stumbled across the recipe, I had to try it. Glad you liked it too.

 

[Marianne]

I noticed that no one has tried it with the oatmeal.

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

I have made it. With oats.

 

[freemotion]

Shrub is similar....here is a recipe that sounds good, from the New Galt Cookbook published in 1898, Wifezilla posted the link in another thread. I've been copy/pasting recipes to my files. Here's shrub:

STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY SHRUB.
On four quarts of berries pour white vinegar enough
barely to cover them. Let them stand for forty-eight
hours, then drain off the vinegar, squeezing the juice out
of all the fruit with the vinegar. If strawberries are
used, the vinegar must be poured over a second supply
of the fruit before it will attain the proper flavor; but
one supply of raspberries is sufficient. Measure out the
liquor when it is ready, and to every pint allow a pound
of sugar. Put it in a porcelain-lined kettle with the
sugar and let it boil for ten minutes, then bottle it and
set it away in a cool place. A cupful of this syrup is
sufficient to flavor a quart of ice water.


I have some peach vinegar that smells pretty good, from some wine I made last fall. The wine was nasty, the vinegar smells peachy, go figure! I think I'll make a simple syrup and cool it then add it to the vinegar and water so I don't kill the good beasties in the raw vinegar.

 

[TanksHill]

We tried the mix the following day. I have to say the flavor is still a bit too strong.