Switchel (Ginger Water)
Switchel is a tart, gingery farm drink from the north eastern United States, mixed to quench the thirst of people working in the hay fields. It needs only ground ginger, apple cider vinegar, a sweetener and water, so you can stir up a pitcher in minutes. Use sugar for a clean taste or maple syrup for a rounder one, and serve it cold over ice or warm on a winter day.
Instructions
Choose your sweetener and your batch size. The source gives two versions: a small one with sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 quart of water and 1 cup of vinegar, and a large one with maple syrup, 1 heaping teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 gallon of water and ⅔ cup of vinegar.
Put the sugar or maple syrup and the ground ginger into the water. Stir until the sweetener has dissolved and the ginger is spread through the liquid.
Stir in the apple cider vinegar.
Chill the switchel, or pour it over ice cubes. The ginger settles out as it stands, so shake or stir it well before each serving.
In winter it can also be served warm, as farm households traditionally did.
Make it personal.
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