Strawberry Ginger Switchel is a delicious, refreshing, easy-to-make fermented beverage.
Have you ever heard of Switchel?
If you’ve never had any, you have to make some!
This naturally sweetened electrolyte drink is super healthy and an extremely simple homemade fermented beverage. It doesn’t use sugar like other fermented drinks, doesn’t need a special scoby {like kombucha does} and it doesn’t have a long fermentation process. How cool is that?!
I first learned about Switchel a while ago when my husband and I were watching some show online. The program was discussing old fashioned vinegar drinks – Switchel and Shrubs.
Switchel is a drink that originated in the Caribbean and later became popular in American Colonies. It was often served to farmers during the summer months.
Switchel is commonly made with water, apple cider vinegar, a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup or molasses and ginger or lemon. Shrubs are similar in that they use vinegar, but they’re commonly used for finishing or mixing into alcoholic drinks.
After learning more about Switchel, I knew I had to make my own.
This amazing drink quickly became a family favorite. I make up large batches daily so we always have some in the fridge. Because I make Switchel so often, I like to mix up the flavorings using berries, ginger, lemon and sometimes fresh herbs.
Enjoy this thirst-quenching drink! Make sure to make a bunch because you’re going to want to drink all of it. It’s so good!
Strawberry Ginger Switchel
Strawberry Ginger Switchel
Strawberry Ginger Switchel is a delicious, refreshing, easy-to-make fermented beverage.
YOU WILL NEED: 8-cup Mason Jar or Large Pitcher
Ingredients
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup raw organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar WITH "The Mother"
- 1/3 cup raw honey {my preference} or organic maple syrup
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup organic strawberries, sliced
- Juice of 1 organic lemon
- 8 cups filtered water
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a large mason jar or pitcher {I use an 8-cup mason jar}. Cover with lid and shake to combine. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
Strain and serve cold or over ice.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
Are you on Pinterest? I pin lots of yummy real food recipes + more there. I have a board just for Beverages too! Come follow along.
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This looks awesome, I can’t wait to try it out, perfect for summer!
Thanks so much! I hope you get to make some. 🙂
This looks SO very delicious and ultra refreshing.
I guess it depends who is teaching ‘the class’ on Switchels and Shrubs..
In the herb world.. they are totally interchangeable terms.. I make ‘herb-infused’ ones and..
.. don’t laugh.. call them one or the other.. depending on my mood!
I acknowledge that the current “cocktail culture” has adopted the ‘shrub’ but
back in the ol’ days according to my teachers and texts — same recipes apply.
Hope that’s ok to chime in.. These drinks, whatever, the name.. are FABULOUS!!
Can’t wait to try the Ginger with Strawberry version above!! Thank you.
LOL always appreciate your feedback and knowledge. I didn’t know that. I’ve seen there’s other nicknames for Switchel – like switzel, swizzle, ginger-water, haymaker’s punch or switch. I’ve seen Shrubs marketed now as something added to an alcoholic drink. I just looked it up, not the greatest online source LOL – but it’s what I found … “One type of shrub is a fruit liqueur that was popular in 17th and 18th century England, typically made with rum or brandy mixed with sugar and the juice or rinds of citrus fruit. The word “shrub” can also refer to a cocktail or soft drink that was popular during America’s colonial era, made by mixing a vinegared syrup with spirits, water, or carbonated water. The term “shrub” can also be applied to the sweetened vinegar-based syrup, from which the cocktail is made; the syrup is also known as drinking vinegar. Drinking vinegar is often infused with fruit juice, herbs and spices for use in mixed drinks.” ~ Wikipedia
Love this! I have had switchel before but not flavored so beautifully! Thank you!
Thanks Renee! 🙂 I love mixing up the flavors because I make it daily. The original ginger is great too, but it’s extra special with other stuff added in.
I’ve never made my own fermented beverages. I may have to start with this one!
Best,
Chrystal
That’s what I love about this one, it’s SUPER easy. I haven’t made kombucha or water kefir yet because a bit more work goes into making them.
I was just hearing about how good fermented foods are and was wanting to get into them more. This looks like a delicious way. Thanks! Pinning!
Hi Megan, yes they’re awesome. This is a super simple one to incorporate into your diet. 🙂
Looks lovely! I have never had a switchel before!
Thanks Linda! It’s so refreshing, I think you’d love it.
I’ve never heard of switchel – love learning about new fermented foods and beverages. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you get to make some Beth, it’s so delicious. 🙂
So easy, refreshing and lovely. What an epiphany of a recipe!
🙂 thanks Megan xo My family is a bit obsessed with Switchel, I make it daily these days.
This sounds lovely! Two questions…
One, what exactly does the fermenting?
And two, can I use stevia instead of honey? While I love natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup, my blood sugar does not so I use stevia.
Thanks for this delicious recipe!
I have the same questions!
Hi Jo, the apple cider vinegar is fermented. But ONLY if you use apple cider vinegar WITH “the mother” … I linked to the brand I use in the recipe. Apple cider vinegar bottles will disclose if the mother is included, if it’s not listed, then it’s not in there.
The apple cider vinegar 🙂 But ONLY if you use apple cider vinegar WITH “the mother” … I linked to the brand I use. Apple cider vinegar bottles will disclose if the mother is included, if it’s not listed, then it’s not in there. I have never used stevia in this, but I don’t see why not. I wouldn’t know the ratio amount though. Traditionally maple syrup, honey, or molasses was used.
Thanks Emily, I will try it and let you know. It sounds so yummy!
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do Dawn 🙂
What a wonderful drink! This is perfect for those super busy summers when I admit, I let my kombucha turn to vinegar. To answer Dawn’s question: I’m sure stevia would be fine. In fact, I use it in a pinch when I’m too inpatient to stir honey well into my drinks. Love this!! Thanks Emily for such a refreshing and healthy drink.
Thank you so much Anya! I love how fast this drink comes together and that it’s not a long process. Thanks for answering Dawn’s question too! 🙂
Yes thank you! I just saw your reply after replying to Emily lol. I thought it probably would be ok, but since it’s fermented…but then usually ferments like water kefir or kombucha take longer and eat up the sugar. Glad to know it works fine!
What a wonderful refreshing drink recipe! I will have to try this with our strawberry’s this summer. My water kefir grains have give up on me and this will make a great replacement in a pinch.
I hope you get to make some Michelle. I love water kefir too, but this is just so simple. 🙂
Switchels are amazing! I haven’t made on in a really long time. Thanks for reminding me 😀 This one looks wonderful!
I hope you get to make some soon Tash 🙂
I think this sounds fabulous! I love switchel, and it’s even great in cocktails, haha! I love this strawberry version!
Thanks Leah! I love it too, I think the name is pretty awesome too, so old fashioned.
This looks utterly delicious! I adore kombucha, but this looks so much easier to make. Thank you!
Thanks! I love kombucha too. 🙂
This looks so good! Thank you so much for sharing a drink recipe where I don’t need to make like 24 servings at once lol That drives me insane and is a large part of the reason I haven’t made anything like this yet.
Thank you! It’s super easy to change up the ratios and make as much or as little as you want. 🙂
looks great will have to try this out when i have guests over for tea
I hope you get to make some 🙂
Looks so refreshing! 🙂
It is 🙂 Thanks!
This looks like a wonderful drink for summer! I have never heard of it before, so it will be fun to test it out.
It’s super yummy, I hope you get to try some. 🙂
Fermented drinks are so good! My daughter has been drinking apple cider vinegar mixed with water and we didn’t even know there was a special name for it. 🙂 Switchel! I’m off to share on Pinterest.
Happy Mother’s Day, Emily.
That’s awesome Barbara! Happy Mother’s Day to you too! 🙂
I just saw this on your Savoring Saturdays post and had to check it out. This sounds amazing! I’m making some tonight!
Thank you Sarah! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. xo
I made this and used strawberries and threw in a few blueberries for good measure. At first it tasted a little too vinegary but by the 3rd day it was awesome. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it and will make it again. I’m sure it would be fine with less ACV too if that works better for your taste buds 🙂
Can’t wait to try this. I can’t make fermented foods because they use too much salt. And the fact that this doesn’t use sugar is fantastic, too! I’ll have to check out more recipes of these. Thanks!
I hope you get to make some Sue! 🙂 It’s so delicious.
After combining all the ingredients, I let it sit at room temperature until there were signs of fermentation (i.e. – bubbling, fruit floating to the top), then refrigerating. Honey has natural anti-bacterial properties and will slow down fermentation, so I feel that refrigerating right away can reduce the amount of beneficial bacteria forming in the beverage.
Hi Jenn, the way I make it is the traditional way to make Switchel. The “fermented” aspect is because the ACV has “the mother” in it. I know there are other ferments that solely use honey like Jun. I hope it turned out well the way you made it. 🙂
This sounds so yummy! I love anything with ginger in it, so your Switchel is on my list of recipes to try this summer.
I followed a link over from your infused waters post and was really pleased to find not only a recipe but also a little bit of history. Sharing widely 🙂
Thanks so much! xo I hope you get to make some.
This looks so yummy! Do you know, can I use frozen strawberries…? I picked a bunch during early June when they were in full swing and froze a bunch.
Also, I’d imagine I could use other fruits… Blackberries would be yummy I’d think 🙂
Thanks again! Keep on sharing!
Yes 🙂 I make blackberry all the time and I have also used frozen fruit. Enjoy it!
Awesome – thanks so much 🙂
Dear Emily, where I leave can’t find row ACV with the mother, what I have is filtered AV can I use it instead or can I replace it? Please I wait for your response,Thanks.
Hi Cris, are you able to find any organic apple cider vinegars where you live? Almost all organic apple cider vinegars are unfiltered. Braggs is pretty easy to find online too. You could use filtered apple cider vinegar, you won’t get the same health benefits from it, but I think it will still taste the same. 🙂
@Cris T….I live in a very rural area of northern New York, and I find organically produced ACV (with the mother in it) at one of our local farm stands. Farm stands and Farmer’s markets are great places to look for this type of item. It’s great to support local farmers, good for the economy and healthy for you—all in one shot! Good luck! (I’m eager to try this recipe too!)
That’s great feedback, thanks Charlene!
Are switchels mainly non-alcoholic? Does it become a shrub the moment you add alcohol? I was always under the impression both could be made with alcohol! Thank you for sharing this recipe! I definitely want to try it, alcohol or not!
Yes 🙂 Switchels should traditionally be non-alcoholic because it was given to farmers out in the hot fields to help hydrate them. I would guess it would be a shrub if alcohol is added. I hope you get to try making some! Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting.