Switchel: a natural version of a sports drink

John Polk wrote:Sounds yummy.

(Not so sure that I would call it a 'sports drink' though.  Most sports drinks have electrolytes to replace those lost through perspiring.)

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:From searching for an ACV nutrition label, I found this one for Bragg, http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html, which shows 11 mg potassium per tablespoon of vinegar. At higher doses, there are small amounts of magnesium, too.

I think honey, molasses or maple sugar all contain some minerals which could be considered within the electrolyte category.

Ginger provides calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and even a trace of sodium.

K Putnam wrote:Oh, I had no idea this was so easy to make.  I've been buying bottles of it during my work breaks, especially when I work evenings.  It gives me a little boost without an evening caffeine buzz from kombucha.  My favorite has been blueberry maple version, which is probably just a bit of blueberry juice added and maple syrup instead of honey.  

Given that it is actually ridiculously to make, I'm going to just start making a jug of it!  

William Bronson wrote: What is being added tithe swichel if you let it sit?
Are microbes making alcohol,lactic acid,more vinegar or what?
I would guess more vinigar, but what's the point in that?
Maybe it's just to wake up the wee  animule,getting them going....

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:From searching for an ACV nutrition label, I found this one for Bragg, http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html, which shows 11 mg potassium per tablespoon of vinegar. At higher doses, there are small amounts of magnesium, too.

I think honey, molasses or maple sugar all contain some minerals which could be considered within the electrolyte category.

Ginger provides calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and even a trace of sodium.

John Weiland wrote:Really hope to try this recipe soon!   In the meantime, I tried making a version more like ginger/root beer of this with ginger, sugar, and some carrot, licorice, and pigweed root.  After a few days on the countertop, I put it in the fridge.  Took it out this evening and it is really syrupy, although the flavor not too bad and with only a mild carbonation.  I've seen a few references to this thickening happening in other ferments....possibly due to polysaccharide production by one or more of the microbes....but was wondering if anyone had any input or advice on what to do next...(?).  It was only on the countertop for 3 days.....not long enough?

K Putnam wrote:@John,

I've made two batches of this and haven't had much in the way of carbonation.  I don't think there was enough live bacteria in the vinegar to get it going again quickly.   I think I'd need a stronger vinegar started to really get some good carbonation.

That said, it is dead simple and tasty!

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

John Weiland wrote:Really hope to try this recipe soon!   In the meantime, I tried making a version more like ginger/root beer of this with ginger, sugar, and some carrot, licorice, and pigweed root.  After a few days on the countertop, I put it in the fridge.  Took it out this evening and it is really syrupy, although the flavor not too bad and with only a mild carbonation.  I've seen a few references to this thickening happening in other ferments....possibly due to polysaccharide production by one or more of the microbes....but was wondering if anyone had any input or advice on what to do next...(?).  It was only on the countertop for 3 days.....not long enough?

I think when using straight sugar instead of honey, molasses or maple syrup, you won't have as much mineral content for the sports drink or electrolyte action - if that's your goal.

On the other hand, sugar probably more quickly feeds microbes for fermenting. Though I'm sorry, I haven't done many fermented beverages, so I wouldn't be able to comment or help with what happened with yours. Though those flavors sound nice!

Dillon Nichols wrote:

John Polk wrote:Sounds yummy.

(Not so sure that I would call it a 'sports drink' though.  Most sports drinks have electrolytes to replace those lost through perspiring.)

I wonder if there's a permie-ish way to add in the electrolytes?

I've been drinking a lot of kombucha(sweetened with honey and berries) this summer in lieu of sports drinks/juice. My low-tech/lazy approach to try and cover electrolytes when I'm sweating my ass off has been to eat something salty and a banana, to cover the sodium/chloride and potassium, since I know those are high on the list of things lost in sweat... probably not a very complete solution though.[/quote

Your most ready-made natural Gatorade/sports drink is Coconut water.  Perhaps it is not a permie-ish drink unless you grow the coconuts on your property - impossible in Canada.  it has all those minerals you all were trying to fit into your Switchel.

Also honey kills your beneficial bacteria or whatever causes the fermentation. Honey is your natural antibiotic not a probiotic.  

Rosanna Kuntze wrote:
Also honey kills your beneficial bacteria or whatever causes the fermentation. Honey is your natural antibiotic not a probiotic.   So I would limit that or add it later and use sugar or maple syrup for the fermentation.

Jamie Jackson wrote:If you want electrolytes, infuse the vinegar for 6 weeks with an herb that has electrolytes.  Like Nettles for example.  Or infuse the vinegar with a plant from the mint family.  Vinegar extracts minerals / electrolytes and holds in suspension.  

Using vinegar "empty" is a waste of good vinegar. We infuse our vinegar with rose petals to also add a refrigerant to our switchel for the summer.  As it gets cooler, we use vinegar that has been infused with warming herbs.

John Saltveit wrote:If you added black strap molasses, you would be adding potassium, calcium, magnesium to your drink.

I make a "sports food" for my Saturday baseball games: Beans (potassium), olives, ginger, garlic, rosemary, yogurt or kefir, soy sauce, sesame/sunflower/pumpkin seeds/walnuts, celery, greens, beets, and whatever else is on hand. It helps me avoid cramps and play longer without pain.  It has all the electrolytes in it, but no sugar or artificial colors, preservatives or flavors.

John S
PDX OR