Switchel Ice Cubes from Kombucha Vinegar!
Switchel Cubes, with a twist!
When its hot outside, I’m usually working in the garden and I have my trusty mason jar of water sitting in a shady spot, just waiting for me to pass by and take a big gulp and continue on with my chores. And since I love working outside, that water jar really comes in handy. I prefer a mason jar since it has a wide mouth and it’s easy to carry around the yard. Plus it’s just a nostalgic feel on my homestead! Since fruit has started to come into season, I’ve added delicious chunks of whatever bounty I pick that day, and a mint leaf or two. It just adds such a nice flavor. I’ll even add a couple herb leaves sometimes, just for interest. It’s a refreshing change from just plain water, and it revitalizes my body so that I can keep plugging away at my homestead chores.
A lot of folks will grab an electrolyte drink to re-energize and rehydrate. The problem is, these commercial drinks have so much sugar, chemicals, dyes and colorings, they can hardly be called healthy. They’ll give a quick sugar boost and then your energy probably will plummet. Not the best way to keep hydrated on a full day, or even during a workout. And expensive!
In the past, folks found a way to rehydrate and refresh with an old fashioned drink called Switchel, which has recently made a comeback. Switchel, or Haymaker’s Punch, is a lightly sweetened vinegar based drink that refreshes the body, quenches thirst, and is downright delicious. Also called Haymaker’s Punch, settlers depended on this concoction to continue a hard day’s work. With good reason, Switchel contains minerals and antioxidants from the vinegar, and the honey gives energy. The ginger makes it easy to digest. Now, throw in the goodness of kombucha vinegar and blossom tea and it just gets even better. I make the concentrated version, and put it in ice cubes to add to my water!
Making the Switchel Cubes
The recipe below is the best recipe for Switchel that I’ve tried. And for convenience, I found that I could take the ingredients, minus most of the water, and freeze in an ice cube tray! Just grab a few cubes to flavor your water jar and you’re off for a round of chores, or a hike, or even a daily workout at the gym! I’ve boosted the flavor and nutrients by adding my favorite slices of fruit or whatever is available. We’re also using blossom tea instead of plain filtered water, any blossoms you choose. Give it a try on your next busy outdoor chore day!
Switchel Ice Cubes
1 cup honey
1 cup kombucha vinegar or 1/3 cup cider vinegar (kombucha vinegar is usually a little weaker than cider vinegar)
1 Tablespoon crystalized ginger powder or a thin fresh ginger slice for each cube
2 cups of your favorite flavor of cooled blossom tea or tapped tree water (birch, maple, hickory) or just filtered water
Two or more ice cube trays
Optional Assorted fruit slices; strawberry, kiwi, lemon or lime, blueberry or blackberry, other berries, mint leaves.
Note: This same recipe would make one gallon of switchel, with additional water added to fill the jar. Sweeten more or less to taste.
Slice fruit into small pieces, to fit in an ice cube tray. Kiwi and lemons or limes can be sliced and each slice quartered to fit in the ice cube spot. I like strawberry and lime together, or blackberry and blueberry! Add a couple slices to each tray, a mint leaf if you like, and one ginger.
In a small pitcher, add honey and vinegar and whisk together until blended. Slowly pour in the 2 cups blossom tea and wisk until smooth. Carefully pour this mixture over the fruit in the trays. Place in the freezer for several hours until frozen.
When you’re heading out to garden or take a walk, grab a quart mason jar or your wider mouth water bottle, add half a dozen or so of the cubes (as many as you like, if you like it less strong, add only 3-4 cubes). Add a few plain ice cubes as well. Fill the jar with filtered water and enjoy! (Get your reusable water bottle ice mold here).
Disclaimer:
The author, Suzanne Upton, has been a homesteader, forager, and homemaker for years. She has researched all the above mentioned edible flowers and blossoms. However, individuals consuming the flowers and plants mentioned in this list, or any product or derivative made from the plants listed on this page, do so entirely at their own risk. The author cannot be held responsible for any adverse reaction to the plants. Please do your own research.
