Fizzy Apple Cider Switchel (VAD)

Apple cider switchel is perfect for special dinners, holiday meals, birthdays, etc… anytime you’d be tempted to open a Martinelli’s! We usually make it on the weekend to go with our weekend dessert. It’s fizzy, refreshing, and perfectly satisfies. Enjoy!

As written, this beverage is dairy-free and low Vitamin A.

Supplies Needed

• Half gallon glass jar and lid
• Wooden spoon for mixing

Ingredients Needed

• Raw apple cider vinegar — You can purchase this (make sure it is raw and includes the mother culture) or learn how to make your own here.
• Apple cider — Choose local and organic, if possible. Even better if you press apples into cider yourself! You can also use apple juice for this recipe; we love to make it with fresh apple juice right out of the juicer!
• Spices — Ginger, cloves, and cardamom. If you aren’t following the low Vitamin A diet, feel free to use your favorite spices such as cinnamon. I buy all my spices from Starwest Botanicals!
• Pure water – Use chlorine-free water rather than contaminated well water or straight city water which may contain chlorine, chloramine, and/or flouride, etc. If your water is not clean or you don’t filter it, I recommend purchasing spring water or filtered water (here’s how to choose the best water filter for your family!). I discuss using reverse osmosis water for fermenting in this #AskWardee.
• Seltzer/carbonated water – If buying cans or liter bottles, choose unflavored and unsweetened. You can also make your own plain carbonated water in glass jars at home using this SodaStream Aqua Fizz. We use ours a lot! This is optional, if you want fizzy (or fizzier) apple cider switchel!

How to Make Apple Cider Switchel

1. Combine vinegar, juice, and spices in half gallon jar.
2. Add water to shoulder of jar. Mix.
3. Cover and let ferment at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours, then refrigerate. (You can also skip the fermentation and serve immediately.)
4. Serve with or without seltzer water. The seltzer water will dilute the flavor, yet it adds carbonation so it’s more soda-like. I usually do a ratio of 1:1 switchel and seltzer water right in our serving glasses. If you prefer that the switchel flavor not get diluted as much, add more juice to the ferment and/or dilute with less water before fermenting.
5. Enjoy!

3.13 from 8 votes

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Fizzy Apple Cider Switchel

Apple cider switchel is perfect for special dinners, holiday meals, birthdays, etc... anytime you'd be tempted to open a Martinelli's! We usually make it on the weekend to go with our weekend dessert. It's fizzy, refreshing, and perfectly satisfies. Enjoy! Makes 1/2 gallon.

Course Beverage

Cuisine Traditional

Prep Time 5 minutes

Fermenting Time (optional) 12 hours

Servings 8 servings

Calories 30 kcal

Author Wardee Harmon

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups apple cider or fresh apple juice
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• pure water
• seltzer/carbonated water unflavored, unsweetened (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine vinegar, juice, and spices in half gallon jar.

2. Add water to shoulder of jar. Mix.
3. Cover and let ferment at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours, then refrigerate. (You can also skip the fermentation and serve immediately.)
4. Serve with or without seltzer water. The seltzer water will dilute the flavor, yet it adds carbonation so it's more soda-like. I usually do a ratio of 1:1 switchel and seltzer water right in our serving glasses. If you prefer that the switchel flavor not get diluted as much, add more juice to the ferment and/or add less water to the jar.

Nutrition Facts

Fizzy Apple Cider Switchel

Amount Per Serving (1 Cup)

Calories 30 Calories from Fat 1

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.1g0%

Saturated Fat 0.02g0%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.03g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.01g

Sodium 3mg0%

Potassium 69mg2%

Carbohydrates 7g2%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 0.1g0%

Vitamin A 1IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 6mg1%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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