Home » Recipes » Meal Type » Drinks » Homemade Switchel Recipe
by Katie Webster
June 3, 2016 (updated 5/1/23) Jump To Recipe
This homemade switchel recipe is made with cider vinegar and pure maple syrup. It only takes a minute to stir together and it’s so refreshing on a hot summer day.
Table of contents
- Why We Love This Homemade Switchel Recipe
- Recipe Highlights
- Key Ingredients For This Haymaker’s Punch
- How to Make Switchel
- FAQs and Expert Tips
- More Easy Drink Recipes
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Why We Love This Homemade Switchel Recipe
Switchel is an old-fashioned drink made from water and cider vinegar. It’s been around for hundreds of years and was often drunk after a long day farming or making hay in the summer, thus it’s also sometimes called haymaker’s punch. It has a long tradition here in Vermont, where it’s usually sweetened with maple syrup.(It also can be sweetened with honey or molasses.)
This switchel recipe uses 2 teaspoons each of vinegar and maple syrup per quart, so it is quite palatable. Try it and you can always add more if you want to amp up the flavor. Unlike the switchelI shared in my cookbook, this one doesn’t have any ginger.
Recipe Highlights
- It’s slightly sweet, slightly sour
- It only takes about 1 minute to make
- Refreshing on hot summer days
- A delicious way to get hydrated after working out
Key Ingredients For This Haymaker’s Punch
- Ice
- Maple Syrup: pure maple syrup, either dark or amber. You can also use honey or molasses.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Kosher Salt
- Water
How to Make Switchel
This easy switchel recipe requires ice, maple syrup, ACV, a pinch of salt, and water. To make switchel, all you have to do is stir everything together in a large jar or glass and enjoy. You can make a big batch in the morning and enjoy it throughout the day, too.
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FAQs and Expert Tips
Can I make switchel in advance?
Absolutely. You can make a huge batch and keep it in the refrigerator until you run out. Don’t add the ice until you’re ready to serve it. Keep it in a large jug, water bottle or carafe.
What else can I add to this switchel recipe?
The best part about this recipe is that it’s easy to switch up and make your own. You can infuse it with ginger, infuse it with lemon, increase sweetness, or use honey instead of maple.
More Easy Drink Recipes
Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!
Happy Cooking! ~Katie
Homemade Switchel Recipe
- Author: Katie Webster
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
This homemade switchel recipe is made with cider vinegar and pure maple syrup. It only takes a minute to stir together and it’s so refreshing on a hot summer day.
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 2 cups ice
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, dark or amber
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- pinch salt
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Place ice in a quart jar. Add maple syrup, cider vinegar and salt. Add water and stir. Enjoy cold.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 8
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Keywords: switchel, switchel recipe
About the Author
Katie Webster
Katie Webster studied art and photography at Skidmore College and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute. She has been a professional recipe developer since 2001 when she first started working in the test kitchen at EatingWell magazine. Her recipes have been featured in numerous magazines including Shape, Fitness, Parents and several Edible Communities publications among others. Her cookbook, Maple {Quirk Books} was published in 2015. She launched Healthy Seasonal Recipes in 2009. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two teenage daughters and two yellow labs. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, cooking, stacking firewood, making maple syrup, and tending to her overgrown perennial garden.
More About Katie »
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30 Comments / Leave a Comment »
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30 comments on “Homemade Switchel Recipe”
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Pam — July 30, 2019 @ 11:20 pm Reply
I make Switchel with water, raw apple cider vinegar, fresh ginger root and a dash of cardamon. I never add a sweetener and really enjoy it through out the day.
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Lindsay Cotter — June 27, 2019 @ 8:59 am Reply
Love everything about this drink! So refreshing and a delicious way to stay hydrated!
★★★★★
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Sommer — June 26, 2019 @ 11:31 am Reply
Love trying new drinks! This was a hit.
★★★★★
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Suzy — June 26, 2019 @ 10:33 am Reply
Perfect way to stay hydrated! Love how easy it is to make!
★★★★★
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Sam — June 25, 2019 @ 1:12 pm Reply
I’ve always wanted to know how to make this. Finally, a great recipe!
Thanks for sharing.★★★★★
