Switzel – I’ve seen it mentioned in several magazine articles lately. What is it? It’s an old time drink from the1600’s made with water, vinegar, usually ginger, and in this case, also with honey. All things I always have in my house. And if you add a little seltzer before drinking it does resemble soda pop.

Switzel is often touted as healthy because the vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar made with the mother) does have some benefits – lower cholesterol and to help stabilize blood sugar with diabetes (type 2) and to help lose weight, some say. It does have some probiotic benefit.

The vinegar makes it quite the drink quite tart. I often use it with honey in tea, but if you aren’t used to drinking vinegar, you may want to start with less and work up to the amount in the recipe.

And then there the ginger – also healthy as it is loaded with probiotics, prevents bad bacteria from growing in the mouth, aids in combating stomach nausea (my mom used to give us ginger ale to drink for an upset stomach), and it’s an anti-inflammatory, helping calm swelling and sometimes the pain inflammation causes in joints with arthritis for example. It may also lower blood sugar, and cholesterol so the vinegar and ginger may work together on these problems, and provide a synergistic effect.

I prefer grating fresh ginger as opposed to using ground ginger, but either one will work.

I have found it’s really refreshing on a hot day, served over ice. I make a quart jar, and put it in the fridge overnight to meld the flavors, and let the ginger steep. Then I have two big cups ready and waiting.