Switchel - Summer drink for thirsty farmers
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Switchel, ginger-water or haymaker's punch is a drink made of water and vinegar, and often seasoned with ginger. It is usually sweetened with molasses, honey, sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup. Some also add lemon juice to the beverage.
Switchel became a popular summer drink in the American Colonies in the late 17th century. By the 19th century, it had become a popular drink to serve to thirsty farmers at hay harvest time, hence the nickname haymaker's punch.
In her book "The Long Winter" Laura Ingalls Wilder describes a switchel-like beverage that her mother had sent for Laura and her father while haying: "Ma had sent them ginger-water. She had sweetened the cool well-water with sugar, flavored it with vinegar, and put in plenty of ginger to warm their stomachs so they could drink till they were not thirsty. Ginger-water would not make them sick, as plain cold water would when they were so hot."
The drink is also said to have health-promoting effects, as apple cider vinegar and ginger contain many healthy ingredients.
