Switchel, or haymaker’s punch, is a refreshing summer drink with plenty of health benefits.
Make Your Own Refreshing Summertime Drink
Switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch, is a refreshing drink with apple cider vinegar. It was how colonial farmers quenched their thirst in the hot, sunbaked fields—which is enough of an endorsement for me!
Switchel, a refreshing and ancient beverage, combines the goodness of ginger, apple cider vinegar, and sweeteners like molasses and maple syrup. Known for its hydrating properties, this tangy elixir boasts a unique flavor profile, making it a wholesome and natural alternative to sugary drinks. Enjoyed for centuries, switchel is a timeless, revitalizing choice.
This drink is also called Haymaker’s Punch because it was often drunk while haying—which is hard work under the hot summer sun!
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What Is Switchel?
Switchel has a long history as a traditional drink with Colonial Americans. (Read about the history of Switchel.) It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients—apple cider vinegar, ginger, water, and a sweetener.
Think of it as “Nature’s Gatorade.” It will give you an energizing electrolyte boost better than any pricey energy drink or soda. All the ingredients (except water, of course) are actually sources of the electrolyte potassium. Switchel is known as a health tonic that boosts the immune system, too (but don’t tell the kids it’s “healthy”). Apple cider vinegar even helps to detoxify your organs!
Its cold-weather cousin, Apple-Cider Tonic, is also known to keep your immune system running smoothly and can help keep you safe from those nasty winter colds.
We tested a few great Switchel recipes to see if they lived up to their old-fashioned fame… we are a huge fan! Try them for yourself!
Old-Fashioned Switchel Recipe
Here’s a classic Haymaker’s Punch recipe, which was unearthed from the archives of The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
- 1 gallon water
- 1 1/2 cups molasses
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
We like molasses, but you could replace it with maple syrup, honey, or another sweetener. You could cut back on the sweeteners, too. Find the right balance for you. Remember to start with less—as you can always add more. Switchel shouldn’t coat your mouth; it should taste refreshing. Another idea is to add a teaspoon of fresh lemon or lime juice for zing.
Switchel Recipe from an Almanac Reader
Here’s an alternative switchel recipe to try, courtesy of Dennis Miles, an Almanac Facebook fan and full-time blacksmith. He drinks his Haymaker’s Punch from a mid-19th century haymaker’s jug.
- 1 gallon water
- 2 cups raw or dark brown sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger (fresh)
Serve in mason jars.
Switchel: A Refreshing Summer Drink
My friend Wendy and I decided to make a pitcher one summer’s day using our Almanac recipe.
Mmmm! Switchel is so refreshing and delicious! It tastes pleasantly tart and, surprisingly, not too sweet.
And, boy, is it drinkable—much more so than plain water. I’ll say that it did quench my thirst for water, but not for switchel. We drank half the pitcher!
You can make the switchel last longer or less sweet by adding more water or a bubbly seltzer. (My guess is it could turn into a cocktail drink, too.)
Learn More
Learn more about the History of Switchel from the Almanac archives.
If you enjoyed switchel, try out our other refreshing drink recipes:
Catherine Boeckmann
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I heard about these drinks from Off Grid with Doug and Stacy on yt. Doug drinks Haymakers Punch all summer.
Switchel makes great freezer pops, too!
I absolutely love Braggs apple cider vinegar drinks, but as of late, can not find them. So, I took a Switchel recipe and modified it for my personal taste. I make a ginger tea with dehydrated ginger from Penzeys Spices. When cool, mix with water, Braggs Apple cider vinegar, Lakanto liquid Monkfruit sweetener and a little lime juice. Pretty darn good!
Hi every one,
I stumbled on this by mistake one day when I had a lot of homemade apple juice.
I took a quart jar and filled it most of the way with the apple juice. I then added a good big shot of Organic Braggs apple cider vinegar with the mother. I then made some ginger tea
added a quarter cup to the mix. No sugar needed to be added as the apple cider all ready has plenty of sugar, but it is not enough to really bother diabetics. WOW, very little taste of the vinegar, a sweet taste, and still plenty of value for rehydrating. Try it you'll like it
This is very similar to the medieval recipe for Sekanjabin I make every summer.
White Vinegar
Sugar
Water
And whatever flavoring (I like fresh mint and lemon)
Put everything in a pot simmer for half hour. Strain.
Delute to taste to serve.
Very intrigued by this recipe especially as I'm currently suffering through a humid Japanese summer. Unfortunately it is a bit difficult to find any vinegar other than rice wine here. I know it would have a different flavor, but do you think rice wine vinegar would work or just be gross?
Apple cider vinegar is super easy to make if apples are readily available to you. AMD it only calls for one other ingredients besides water and apples pieces...a little sugar!
Hi, Kali. We really wouldn’t recommend using rice wine vinegar.
I love Switchel/Harvester's punch. I use a gallon of filtered water, 1 cup honey, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp ginger and 1 tsp baking soda. Tastes great, keeps me hydrated during the hot Texas summers. I used to drink Gatorade but didn't like some of the ingredients (food coloring). I can drink half a gallon of this a day. Helps me to stay alert thru meetings too!
I made the Switchel. It's fantastic. I couldn't stop drinking it. Very refreshing and drinkable.
