When the summer heat cranks up, finding the perfect drink to keep you cool and hydrated is essential. Ginger Lemon Switchel quenches your thirst and offers a tasty alternative to expensive electrolyte drinks.
That’s right; Switchel is a homemade electrolyte drink that tastes amazing, is quick to make, and easy to customize. The best part is that we show you how to make a concentrated recipe so it’s always ready when you need it!
Great tasting, less expensive, and a lot less plastic bottle waste—what’s not to love?!
Why we love this recipe:
- We love the flavor of ginger and lemon, so this Switchel recipe delivers daily hydration that tastes better than plain water with the added boost of antioxidants, digestion aids, and vitamin C. It truly quenches our thirst.
- Simple, natural ingredients that save money over costly powdered formulas.
- Convenient ready-to-mix concentrate (more than 24 servings!)
- Versatile for making delicious cocktail-style beverages without alcohol or flavoring iced tea. Of course, you can make a cocktail out of it too!
- Less packaging and plastic waste.
What is Switchel?
Switchel, also known as “haymaker’s punch,” is an old-fashioned beverage farmers drink when working outside during the hot summer months. The traditional blend of water, ginger, vinegar, and natural sweetener creates a homemade electrolyte drink that slakes thirst like nothing else.
This Ginger Lemon Switchel is a perfect post-workout refresher, sipping on hot summer days or relaxing after work. Its tangy, crisp, slightly spicy flavor pairs well with a variety of juices, sparkling waters, and cocktail mixers.
What makes our Switchel Recipe Different?
- It’s super-concentrated, with more than 24 servings in a single batch. (Based on approximately ¼ cup of switchel mixed in a glass of water, juice, and/or tea.)
- Adding whole lemons and sea salt gives our version a refreshing citrusy twist and a touch of sodium for optimum electrolyte balance.
- No tedious prep work, cooking, or squeezing—just blend, strain, and store until ready to use.
Is Switchel like Kombucha?
Switchel and kombucha are similar in that they are both natural electrolyte drinks, but they differ in process and taste.
Process Difference:
- Kombucha is made by fermenting yeast and bacteria (SCOBY) in tea with sugar, which results in a fermented beverage with a small amount of alcohol (from fermentation) and caffeine (from the tea).
- Switchel is not fermented or made with tea (though it can be added to flavor tea), so it does not contain alcohol or caffeine.
Flavor Difference:
- Kombucha comes in various flavors, usually tart and fizzy, or effervescent. Its fermentation process gives it a more complex flavor.
- Switchel has a refreshing “zing” from the fresh ginger, sometimes described as spiciness, with crisp citrus notes from the lemon and apple cider vinegar. We use honey in our recipe to soften the “bite” and mix it with juice, water, or tea to harmonize flavor.
Serving Difference:
- Kombucha is served straight without diluting.
- Our Switchel (concentrate) is diluted with water, juice, or tea to suit individual tastes.
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Recipe Step by Step
- Add the water, ginger, and lemons to a blender pitcher and blend. (If it is too thick to strain, add another cup of water.)
- Strain the liquid into a large jar or pitcher. (Keep the pulp—see notes.) Rinse the blender pitcher.
- Return the liquid to the blender pitcher and add the apple cider vinegar, honey, and salt. Blend until well mixed.
- Pour it into a jar or pitcher and cover with a lid. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze. Shake before serving.
NOTE: If using a 2-quart mason jar, try this lovely pour spout / handle lid for easy serving.
MIX & SERVE: (ratios based on preferences)
- Morning Mix Example: 1/3 Switchel, 1/3 water, 1/3 pomegranate juice
- Afternoon Mix Example: 1/3 Switchel, 2/3 tea (hot or cold), honey as desired
- Evening Mix Example: 1/3 Switchel, 1/3 pomegranate juice, 1 shot rum, top with sparkling water (about 1/3) —for a mocktail, omit the rum
TIP: Some settling may occur once stored, so shake it up before serving.
Tips for Customizing
- Sweetness: Molasses is the traditional sweetener and great for adding magnesium, though its stronger flavor can be an acquired taste. Maple syrup, date syrup, and stevia are also suitable sweeteners.
- Spice Level: For a spicier kick from the ginger, let it steep longer before straining.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with citrus fruits like lime, orange, or flavored teas for a unique twist.
- Garnishes: For a beautiful aromatic touch, garnish with edible flowers like nasturtiums and violas (as shown) or fresh herbs like mint, basil, or thyme.
- Do you make your own cheese or yogurt? Add ⅓ cup of whey to the recipe with the ACV and honey.
What to do with the leftover pulp?
- Make more Switchel, though it won’t be as concentrated. Mix equal parts of the leftover pulp and filtered water in a large pitcher. Cover and let it sit in the fridge for 1-2 days. Strain and blend it with ACV, honey, and salt to taste. Once I’ve used it twice, I compost the leftover pulp.
- Use it in quick pickles, soups, curries, salad dressing, marinades, vegetable sides, baking, or brewed tea.
- Freeze for long-term storage. Separate the pulp into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, pop out into a freezer-safe bag.
- Compost it.
Ginger Lemon Switchel (Homemade Electrolyte Drink)
Ingredients
- 5 cups filtered water
- 2 cups fresh ginger knobs broken up to fit in the measuring cup
- 2 large lemons or 3-4 small/medium, quartered
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add the water, ginger, and lemons to a blender pitcher and blend. (If it is too thick to strain, add another cup of water.)
- Strain the liquid into a large 2-quart jar or pitcher. (Keep the pulp—see notes.) Rinse the blender pitcher.
- Return the strained liquid to the blender pitcher and add the apple cider vinegar, honey, and salt. Blend until incorporated. Now, taste it to adjust the flavor with more honey or ACV. NOTE: The ginger will make it taste very strong, even spicy, but you want it that way. The flavor mellows when mixed to serve.
- Pour it into a 2-quart mason jar or pitcher and cover with a lid. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze. Shake well before serving.
Notes
any favorite unsweetened juice
flavored sparkling water
flavored sparkling wine
tea
coconut water
rum, vodka (for mixed drinks)
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