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.

homemade switchel in a glass jar

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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 switchel I 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
switchel in a glass jar with ice

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.

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At Healthy Seasonal Recipes, we specialize in cooking with fresh veggies and creating weeknight meals. Sign up HERE to get more produce-forward dinner ideas for FREE! 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

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Simple Home-Made Switchel Recipe by Katie Webster, Vermont Food Blogger, and Author of Maple (Quirk Books, 2015)

Homemade Switchel Recipe

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5 from 8 reviews

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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

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. 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

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