Hydrate and Replenish This Summer with Herby Switchel

Recipes

Hydrate and Replenish This Summer with Herby Switchel

What if we told you there’s a way to hydrate, remineralize, and support your blood sugar all at once? No powders, pills, or expensive ingredients necessary. Enter the switchel – an old-school beverage that deserves a comeback. Sometimes referred to as haymaker’s punch, switchel was traditionally sipped by farmers in the fields to stay cool, energized, and replenished on long days under the hot summer sun. It’s the OG electrolyte drink, and still the very best out there (in our opinion).

At its core, switchel combines apple cider vinegar (ACV), honey, ginger, and mineral-rich ingredients like lemon, sea salt, and blackstrap molasses. Just one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses contains 45% of your daily iron requirement plus impressive amounts of vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and selenium. And, to add a metabolic kick, we added a dropper of GlucoBitters for good measure.


The bitter herbs support digestion and blood sugar balance, while lending a cinnamon-y, herbaceous note that plays beautifully with the ginger, honey, and lemon. Trust us, you’re going to want to sip on this all summer long.

Switchel Aka Haymaker’s Punch

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon raw honey

  • 1 tablespoon unsulphured blackstrap molasses

  • 1-2 tablespoons ACV

  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 dropperful of GlucoBitters

  • 1-2 teaspoons mineral salt

  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated or dried ginger

  • 1 cup warm water

  • Room temp or cool water

  • Ice (optional)

Method:

  1. Combine all ingredients but the last two (cold water and ice) in a ½ gallon mason jar.

  2. Stir until the warm water has completely dissolved the honey and molasses.

  3. Fill the remainder of the jar with water and add ice if you want.

  4. Sip throughout the day!

 

Summary

This herby switchel does way more than quench your thirst. With ACV for digestion, blackstrap molasses for minerals like iron and magnesium, and a dropper of GlucoBitters to support blood sugar, this old-school tonic works hard behind the scenes. It's a deeply functional summer drink that cools you down, replenishes electrolytes, and supports metabolic health—all while tasting like a gingery lemonade with an herbal twist.

Read More on Traditional Herbalism
View all