If you’re looking for refreshing non-alcoholic drinks for your Pagan ritual or circle, these 19th century recipes might be helpful, and they’re very easy to make. Getting the quantities right can be a bit tricky, so I’d recommend experimenting before serving them to other people.
Old-fashioned drinks
Yesterday evening we watched a video on how to make switchel, a summer drink from 19th century New England similar to shrub (another 19th century drink). So I came downstairs and made some, as last week at Westfield Heritage Village, where we volunteer as interpreters, someone made raspberry shrub, and it was delicious and very refreshing. It’s also a lot less overpowering than kombucha.
Various commentators have wondered why switchel and shrub went out of fashion. It could be the colour of switchel, which is a bit off-putting. Raspberry shrub is a very pretty colour though. And the vinegar cuts through your thirst on a hot day really well.
Both these drinks can be mixed with rum or other alcoholic drinks. Switchel was used as a harvest drink and people would find a stream or a well to put their jug of switchel in to cool it down.
Switchel recipe
- 1 gallon water (3.78 litres)
- 1½ (375 ml) cups molasses, maple syrup, or honey (or other syrup)
- ⅓ cup (85 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (you can use powdered ginger). I think I used a lot more than this.
Instructions
- Put the resulting mixture in a large Mason jar or similar container and shake vigorously.
- Put it in the fridge.
- Serve chilled. This is ready to drink so there’s no need to dilute it.
Top tip — you can keep a piece of ginger root in your freezer and grate it without even thawing it out.
Note that the quantities are American gallons and cups. Also note that the American cup is 8 fluid ounces and the Canadian cup is 250ml.
Benefits of Switchel
- Eases inflammation
- Boosts electrolytes
- Contains potassium, magnesium and probiotics
- Liver and lymphatic tonic, detoxes your body
- Helps digestion, soothes upset tummies and eases bloating symptoms
- Affects blood sugar levels less than regular table sugar
Source: Green Man Meadows
Raspberry shrub recipe
- 2 cups (500 ml) fresh or frozen raspberries
- 2 cups (213 grams / 7.5 ounces) white sugar
- 2 cups (500 ml) white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Mix and mash together the raspberries and the sugar.
- Keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Strain the mixture through a sieve and combine with the vinegar.
- Chill in the fridge.
- Serve diluted with sparkling or still water.
- It will keep for up to three months.
Links and sources
Switchel recipe or Haymaker’s Punch — the Farmer’s Almanac
Dowsing for Divinity 