It’s an old fashioned American drink made with apple cider vinegar, ginger, and molasses, honey, or maple syrup which was originally made to help refresh farmers and others working outside in the sun all day. Switchel was viewed as a healthy thirst-quenching drink back during the colonial era, when sports drinks weren’t around to replenish electrolytes in the body.
Switchel is not only hydrating, but also energizing. It will give you that electrolyte boost better than any pricey energy drink or soda. It’s known as a health tonic that boosts the immune system, too. And there’s a good reason for it: with inflammation-reducing ginger and apple cider vinegar, one of best natural remedies, it’s an easy-to-make drink brimming with healing ingredients.
With more people going back to a more traditional lifestyle, the switchel is beginning to make a comeback, but there are still many people who have never heard of it.
Lemon-Ginger Switchel Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup ginger, chopped
3/4 cup maple syrup (or raw honey)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
-Fill a 2-quart saucepan 2/3 with water and add ginger.
-Bring water to a boil and allow ginger to boil for about 2 minutes.
-Remove from heat and let ginger steep for 20 minutes.
-In a 2-quart pitcher, add maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
-Strain ginger as you are pouring into pitcher.
-Stir and mix all ingredients well.
-Can be served warm or on ice.
Today, switchel is making its way into the modern lifestyle not only as a thirst-quencher but also as a health food. Ginger is a panacea of sorts, boasting anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, anti-carcinogenic and cardiovascular benefits. Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, also does the body good by contributing to weight loss and acting as a natural antibiotic.
Sources:
[1] http://draxe.com
[4] http://www.huffingtonpost.com
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