Summer Drinks Recipes: Cool Off!

Need a cool summer drink on a hot day? Here are a few suggestions and recipes from The Old Farmer's Almanac.

An Age-Old Summer Punch

Before Gatorade, hardworking farmers in colonial days turned to Haymaker's Punch, also called switchel, for refreshment. This was the drink of choice for workers out in the field who wanted to cool off with something with a bit more of a kick than just plain old well water.

A simplified version of ginger beer, switchel may be sweetened in a number of ways--sugar, honey, or maple syrup--but our preference has always been molasses.

Here's a classic recipe:
Mix 1 quart water, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 teaspoon powdered ginger, and the juice of 1 lemon. Serve ice-cold.

More Refreshing Summer Drink Recipes

Berried Ice Tea
Carrot-Orange Fizz
Ginger Fresh Fruit Drink
Old-Fashioned Lemonade Stand Lemonade
Pink Lemonade
Dogs Day Iced Tea
Rhubarb Punch
Watermelon Punch

Try our Mint Chiller, the perfect summertime drink! See editor's blog.