Make Herbal Drinking Vinegar for Stamina in the Summer Heat

Make Herbal Drinking Vinegar for Stamina in the Summer Heat

Drinking vinegar is an ancient practice to replenish electrolytes and quench thirst in the summer heat. Haymakers’ Punch, shrubs, and even lemonade draw inspiration from ancient drinking vinegar that increases stamina and keeps us from feeling faint in the summer heat.

Only a small amount of drinking vinegar is used in a beverage, just enough to give flavour and add electrolytes.  Drinks made with flavoured drinking vinegar are mostly water, a little herb and a little fruit. Drinking vinegars are also called shrubs, or punch. Shrubs are the fruity cousins to switchels. Make shrubs with fruit, herbs, and vegetables that have been soaked in vinegar and sweetened with sugar. This is a good use of overripe fruit.

Drinking vinegar or shrub is concentrated like an oxymel, but is generally used to flavour a drink where a cordial or flavoured syrup would be too sweet. Vinegar preserves the ingredients, making them stable at room temperature.

You’ll start with a base of apple cider vinegar to infuse the minerals and other beneficial properties of the fruit and herbs. These vinegar-based drinks were the original Gatorade, full of probiotics, healthy electrolytes, sugar, and fluid to support field workers at the peak of haying season or harvest. Soldiers and sailors also used switchel to maintain their energy after a hot day at work.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

• Lowers blood pressure by promoting vasodilation (widening of blood vessels)
• Improves overall gut health and supports good bacteria
• Provides live enzymes that markedly improve digestion
• Promotes gentle systemic detoxification daily – an important function because of the daily pollution we are exposed to
• Stimulates circulation – effective for cold hands and feet
• Boosts energy and decreases fatigue
• Slows down aging by speeding up toxin removal and improving skin health and appearance

Fruit and Herb Drinking Vinegar recipe:

Fruit adds vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and antioxidants to this beverage – along with flavour. You can substitute honey, maple syrup, or even molasses for the organic sugar in this recipe.

• 2 to 3 cups of raw fruit
• 2 sprigs of herbs such as peppermint, rosemary, or lavender OR
• A 2-inch piece of ginger or turmeric
• 1 cup of organic sugar
• 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar, with the mother

Directions:

1. Start by making syrup. Mix the raw fruit, fresh herbs, and sugar in a Mason Jar. Cover this mixture with a lid and place it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
2. Shake the jar to distribute the sugar and herbs with the fruit, as often as you think of it. After 5 days, remove the syrup from the fridge.
3. Strain the juice and syrup through a sieve or cheesecloth, pressing down hard on the solids to retain as much juice as possible.
4. Mix the equal amounts of fruit syrup and apple cider vinegar and pour it into a fresh, sanitized Mason jar with a lid. Label and date.

How to use shrubs to make inspiring summer drinks

Use 1 to 2 tablespoon of shrub in a glass of sparkling water or plain water

Try these flavours:

• blackberry, rosemary, balsamic vinegar
• blueberry, thyme, apple cider vinegar
• cherry, lemon balm, white balsamic vinegar
• rhubarb, ginger, apple cider vinegar

Learn to use garden herbs to make inspiring botanical beverages

For more recipes that can help you beat the heat check out my Inspiring Botanical Drinks course. Inside this class you’ll learn how to use your garden herbs and produce to create elixirs, drinks, and cold treats that are healthy, full of antioxidants, and will help you stay cool all summer long. You’ll also learn healthy ways to beat the soda habit, make your own coffee shop drinks, and craft specialty beverages that are lovely and giftable. Learn more here.