We just completed our second cutting here at Berry Hill Farm. Keeping hydrated is a priority, and I was reminded that Ma Ingalls made them ginger-water also known as ‘switchel’.
In many rural parts of the country during summer, haytime is Switchel time. The homemade recipes likely varied with what the farmer’s wife had on hand, but the goal was the same…to get keep the hard-working men well-hydrated to get the hay in. The hay was vital to feed their animals during the winters when grass was not available.
Switchel may well have been the first form of ‘Gatorade’.

Ma Ingalls Made It
Nothing was ever so good as that cool wetness going down her throat. At the taste of it she stopped in surprise and Carrie clapped her hands and cried out, laughing, “don’t tell, Laura, don’t tell till Pa tastes it!”
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. Such a treat made that ordinary day into a special day, the first day that Laura helped in the haying. ~The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
When your body is really working hard, is hot and dripping sweat with the sun is beating down, it craves nothing more than a deep, cool drink of real water. Adding a natural unrefined sweetener, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals can reverse dehydration on a cellular level and supply just what is needed to keep you going strong. Not much is more restorative and well-received, except for maybe cold watermelon!
This haytime, I decided to make switchel with black strap molasses, similar to My Version of Good Girl Moonshine. The molasses makes it a lovely rich mahogany color but also is a great source of iron.
According to Wikipedia, switchel came to the colonies by way of the Caribbean. It was a very popular summertime drink, and by the 19th century it was known as haymaker’s punch because of its frequent use during hay harvest.
The sweetener Laura wrote about her Ma using was ‘sugar’, but she does not mention if it was brown or white. Switchel can also be sweetened with honey, molasses, or even maple syrup for a healthier alternative.
Switchel Basic Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of cold water (~1 quart)
- 2 TBSP raw honey (for all the live raw enzymes that bring vitality to a working body)(real raw honey often needs mixed into warm water first to help it mix into cold drinks)
- 2 TBSP molasses
- 1/4 cup of cider vinegar (see health benefits)
- 1 teaspoon of ginger (see health benefits)
- 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon sea salt (to replace electrolytes -sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium- lost in heavy sweating)
- sliced lemons
Directions:
Add all the ingredients except the water to a quart jar, cap tightly, and shake to mix thoroughly.
Top up with cold water and serve.
Enjoy a glass yourself; your body will love what it does for you as you serve and bless your family with the work of your hands!
Double or Triple It!
By doubling and tripling the recipe it’s an easy-to-make replacement for expensive, mass-produced, and worrisome commercial ‘energy drinks’, the worst of which are linked to deaths and permanent disability.
Keep it simple and safe, staying cool and hydrated with real food and water.
“The LORD will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands.”
~Deuteronomy 28: 12
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Toni
What a fun post, Jacqueline. This post really brings back some fond memories. When we were homeschooling our youngest she and I were living history interpreters at the farm home of Tennessee’s first governor, John Sevier. Talk about learning the state’s history in a fun way – we made all the colonial clothing we wore, Scottish Ghillies (laced shoes made from a single piece of leather) and learned a lot of other fun things. One of which was what the early Americans drank. Their vinegar drinks called shrubs were nearly the same thing as switchel, but they were very strong. I think I’d like switchel better. I’m saving your recipe and will give it a try the next time we’re mowing the field. Thank you for another lovely post. Have a great weekend!
Karen
Sounds like something we need to try! 😀 When I was little my mom made “Molasses Mickies” It was molasses and milk. That was something I really liked…
Charlotte Moore
I need to make this for my husband when he is out mowing and weed eating in this heat.
We have never did buy energy drinks. Years ago we bought gatorade thinking it was good. He just drinks water now.
BLESSINGS!!!
Jacqueline
Charlotte, I’d love to see him enjoy this made with your hands. You are a good woman and I’m sure he appreciates it and loves you for it 🙂
May the Lord bless the work of your hands!
Dianne
I just finished reading D.C Jarvis’s book” Vermont Folk Medicine”. It was written in the 60’s. He suggest a honey and ACV drink per meal! We have been doing this for 2 weeks now. My children have renamed it to “kaboom!” The younger ones seem to like it the best.
Jacqueline
That is fascinating. I love books on the old ways and will keep my eyes open for it in the old used bookstores I frequent!
Blessings, Dianne.
Aritha
Great! Can I rasps a ginger root?
Jacqueline
Yes, Aritha, you can shred it with a grater as finely as possible, and it will be wonderful, or use powdered ginger. Yum! I always add ginger to my Good Girl Moonshine: https://deeprootsathome.com/my-version-good-girl-moonshine/ Sending love by airwaves to Holland 😀 I’m enjoying your lovely photos!
Cheri
I am so happy to learn this! I sweat excessively as I have a small farm and gardens, and work outside a lot. I usually just drink a lot of water, but this will be so much better! Thank you
Jacqueline
Cheri, I’m so glad! You can even “switch” it up and make GoodGirl Moonshine occasionlly! Here is that recipe:
https://deeprootsathome.com/my-version-good-girl-moonshine/
I love working outside in the garden, too, and spring is coming! Enjoy!
Blessings,
Jacqueline
Wendy
So thankful to find this recipe as we’re dealing with our first ever go-round with Covid and trying to stay hydrated. God bless!