Switchel

LaurieLovesLearning

I think that I may have heard about this before. It sounds like something that is making a comeback.

Below is an article along with its simple recipe.

https://draxe.com/nutrition/switchel/?utm_source=curated&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200226_curated_gwpplug

seeker.nancy - Central Texas

I made switchel last summer from a blogger I follow's recipe. It was about the same, and I did use honey because I did not have maple syrup. I didn't care for it much. I am a bit confused because this article says it's fermented but I don't see where it is in the instructions. Did I miss something @Laurie ? Maybe I need to try fermenting it?

Torey

@Laurie Thanks for posting this! We need to have and promote alternatives to the "sport" beverages on the market. I also like to make shrubs. My husband loves those, especially with bubbly water. Great for hot summer days. I think he will really like the ginger flavour in the switchel. Maybe a combination??? Shrub with ginger added? A switchrub?? :)

LaurieLovesLearning

@seeker.nancy I did see that. I really don't know the answer. @torey are you familiar with that part? I have never made switchel, but heard about it somewhere along the way.

@torey Definitely! Those commercial concoctions are far from healthy. They make me cringe when I see them at sports events. They are not only unhealthy, but they affect the brain activity and body response negatively too.

I have some electrolyte recipes that my midwife gave me for when birthing. They don't taste great to many folks (my former high performing athlete daughter disliked the flavor), but I tell you, that in the moment when it was needed, it was the best thing ever! I really enjoy the homemade electrolyte taste even now. My daughter prefers raw honey or maple syrup/maple water, which is also a good alternative in my books.

I heard about shrubs through Rosealee de la Foret. I have not made any yet, but hope to remember to do so this summer.

Your combo sounds like a good idea. Haha, love the name...or a Shrubchel.

Torey

@Laurie and @seeker.nancy I think the fermenting would be due to the ACV (I'm assuming the recipe is using raw ACV) and it does say you can let it sit for 12-24 hours. When I make shrubs, I let the fruit/ACV mixture sit on the counter for 2-3 days before straining. So the fruit juice is getting inoculated with some of the mother and is fermenting. This is all an assumption on my part as I have never tested it to see what is going on. I have some test strips so next time I make a batch I will test it to see if the fruit juice has diluted the acidity or if the mother has fermented the juice and maintained the acidity. Good experiment.

@Laurie Whenever we are doing Firefighter rehab I always talk to my crew about this. They are all fans of violently coloured sports drinks. I recommend that when they are on wildfires and have direct access to wild plants, to add a few Soapberries (aka Buffalo Berries) to their water bottles. Some of the First Nations elders that I have taken classes with do this with their water bottles when walking (and they are well into their 80s). Adds vitamins and minerals without added sugar. I have seen some eye rolling but they listen for the most part. Soapberries are pretty sour/bitter but I have become accustomed to the taste. When Rosalee's new book comes out there is a recipe for Apple Syrup that I was one of the testers for. It has blueberries and hawthorns with apple juice and when boiled down, I put it in ice cube trays and froze it. 3-4 ice cubes in a thermos cup filled with bubbly water makes a fabulous drink. My husband loves it when he has been out with the fire crew working in the heat.

LaurieLovesLearning

@torey That does make sense...and that does sound like a good experiment.

I love your working knowledge. You are brave to tell the tough fire fighting eye rollers about such a simple & beneficial way to improve their water. Awesome.

silvertipgrizz

@Laurie How do you make your electrolyte/recipe?

blevinandwomba

I think I've made switchel years ago, but I'm not positive. I know I've made sekanjabin! It's not raw, though perhaps you could make it so. It's a middle eastern drink, that goes back to the middle ages- in fact, I found out about it on a medieval re-enactors web page. Basically you boil red wine vinegar with sugar to make a syrup( the boiling also softens the vinegar's taste), then remove from heat and immediately add large amounts of fresh mint. Strain and store. It will keep in a cool place for years. Dilute in water to serve. The taste is quite unique and refreshing, and very thirst quenching.

http://www.florilegium.org/files/BEVERAGES/Sekanjabin-art.html

seeker.nancy - Central Texas

I am trying to make the apple cider vinegar per the recipes I've seen because I want to be able to use it like this. At the two week mark I tried it and it is currently alcohol lol. Guess I'll let it sit longer because I don't think making switchel or whatever with alcohol would be the same thing.😂

LaurieLovesLearning

@blevinandwomba Do you know if there is any health benefit? Just curious.

@silvertipgrizz I will make a new post. I think I have 3 recipes. I am sure others have versions to share too. Each one can taste quite different.

Torey

Following is a link to a page by a commercial "Shrub" producer. I have never used this product and am not endorsing it here but there is info on the health benefits of shrubs and suggestions for different combinations including ones with ginger or other spices added. They also have a collection of recipes that use flavoured vinegars/shrubs/switchels.

https://www.wozzkitchencreations.com/blogs/specialty-foods-online/drinking-vinegars-aka-shrubs-a-refreshing-healthy-tonic

This is another site with instructions and recipes (including cocktails).

https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-a-shrub-759919

blevinandwomba

@Laurie, well they considered it to be medicinal back in the day

Drink an ûqiya of this with three of hot water when fasting: it is beneficial for fevers of jaundice, and calms jaundice and cuts the thirst, since sikanjabîn syrup is beneficial in phlegmatic fevers;

I don't want to offend the 13'th century Andalusians, but I am skeptical about its medicinal value. All I know is that it taste good, and it helps keep you hydrated.

@torey I made a sour cherry shrub last summer, and it was delicious. I still have some of the syrup in my fridge.

LaurieLovesLearning

@silvertipgrizz I finally posted my electrolyte recipes. You will find them here:

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/843317/electrolytes

silvertipgrizz

@LaurieLovesLearning Thank you so much, I can't wait to try your recipe...going to have a look at it now thank you!