Dairy Free, Drinks, Egg Free, Fermented Foods, Full Diet, GAPS, Kid Friendly, Nut Free, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free, Vegetarian | 32 |
This post contains affiliate links, FYI.
When you’re needing a cold refreshing drink this summer reach for this easy, anti-inflammatory mixed berry switchel! It’s paleo, GAPS-friendly, and refined sugar-free.
The need for healthy drinks.
It’s always around this time of year (when it’s heating up in the south) that the sodas, Gatorades, and such start coming out full force. Sugar, food coloring, caffeine, what more could you want?
Gross.
If you struggle with needing to drink something besides water during the spring and summer months, set those other drinks aside and make yourself some switchel.
What is switchel?
Even though switchel sounds like some alcoholic concoction, it’s not! And despite its rather strange name, switchel is quite nourishing for your body no matter what time of year you drink it. Switchel dates back to the 1700s, and was called “haymakers punch” as it was drunk by thirsty farmers during the summer.
The nourishing content of switchel comes courtesy of two of its main ingredients: ginger, and apple cider vinegar. Ginger is great for decreasing inflammation, increasing insulin sensitivity (protecting against diabetes), helping you digest food, boosting your immune system, lowering cholesterol levels, and more! Apple cider vinegar is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and can help lower blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, as well as combat sinus congestionand sore throats.
Mixed Berry Switchel.
Besides the wonderful benefits of apple cider vinegar and ginger, this Mixed Berry Switchel has that added bonus of berries. Though you can use any kind you want, I went with mulberries, blueberries, raspberries (yay Costco’s frozen triple berry mix!), and cranberries.
Considered one of the highest ranking sources of antioxidants, berries are full of vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E, and K. These properties help fight off inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Raspberries also have a special compound called ellagic acid, which has exhibited anti-carcinogenic effects. And cranberries help keep the bacteria that causes UTI’s (likeE. coli)from attaching to the wall of the urinary tract.
Healthy, tasty drinks.
If you need more summer-friendly ways to sneak nutrients into your drinks, here are some of my favorites…
- Mineral-Rich Electrolyte Smoothie
- Iced Coconut Matcha Latte
- Cranberry Apple Switchel
- Homemade Mango Soda
- Probiotic Elderberry Water Kefir
- Fizzy Ginger Lemonade
- Honey Sima
- Iced Raspberry Leaf Chia Tea
In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!
Mixed Berry Switchel
Free from grain, gluten, eggs, dairy, and refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mixed berries (I used a combo of mulberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
- 1 1/2 cups organic cranberries
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 cup organic apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 8 cups water
Instructions
Place everything in a blender with 2 cups of water.Puree until smooth. (I use the ‘whole juice’ setting on my Blendtec.)
Pour into a 1/2 gallon jar or divide evenly between 2 quart-sized jars. Fill jar(s) with remaining water.
Enjoy fresh or cover with a cloth and a rubber band and let ferment on the counter for 4-12 hours.
Raias Recipes - https://raiasrecipes.com
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32 Comments
heather on May 12, 2019 at 2:16 pm
This sounds so refreshing!!
Reply
Raia on May 13, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Tessa Simpson on May 13, 2019 at 6:48 pm
OOOO, that cranberry addition is SO yummy! Making!
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Raia on May 13, 2019 at 6:51 pm
I hope you enjoy it, Tessa!
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Megan Stevens on May 14, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Raia these photos are so pretty and inspiring. I really like that you added cranberries too; that sounds so healthy, zippy, tart and vibrant, awesome with the ACV and ginger. I look forward to making it and love that it’s GAPS friendly, how special.
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Raia on May 14, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Thanks so much, Megan! I hope you get to enjoy it! 🙂
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Renee D Kohley on May 15, 2019 at 2:45 pm
SO fun! Making this this weekend! Thanks!
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Raia on May 16, 2019 at 10:50 am
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Renee!
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Lindsey Dietz on May 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
These photos are so pretty! Makes me want a glass right now!
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Raia on May 16, 2019 at 10:51 am
Haha! Thanks, Lindsey!
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Amy Sheree on May 16, 2019 at 3:39 pm
This looks so delicious and refreshing! Yum!
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Raia on May 16, 2019 at 4:04 pm
paleoglutenfreeguy on May 16, 2019 at 5:10 pm
I’ve always wondered what switchel is but I never knew it was so healthy. I love that this has a sweet/tart thing going on. Can’t wait to try this!
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Raia on May 16, 2019 at 6:39 pm
I hope you enjoy it!
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Joni Gomes on May 17, 2019 at 11:43 am
The color of this is gorgeous! You had me at ginger and apple cider vinegar! SO good for your health!
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Raia on May 18, 2019 at 9:11 am
It is! Thanks, Joni!
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Lisa on May 17, 2019 at 10:37 pm
This is such a great recipe and the kids love it. Great health benefits too!
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Raia on May 18, 2019 at 9:11 am
Yep! Double win! 🙂
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chihyu on May 18, 2019 at 8:58 pm
I can taste all the delicious flavor from here. So fabulous!
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Raia on May 18, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Thanks, ChihYu!
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Hope on May 19, 2019 at 6:10 pm
What a refreshing looking and sounding drink Raia! So pretty and bright too, perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
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Raia on May 19, 2019 at 7:43 pm
Thank you, Hope!
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STACEY CRAWFORD on May 19, 2019 at 7:31 pm
I’m going to make this! It looks so refreshing and I love the ingredients! I’m so bored with drinking plain water and this is just the type of drink I’ve been looking for!
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Raia on May 19, 2019 at 7:44 pm
Oh yay! I hope you enjoy it, Stacey!
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Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica on May 20, 2019 at 11:21 am
I love making switchels and this one sounds fabulous!
What’s not to love about gingery berry goodness?
Definitely one of my favourite summer refreshers!Reply
Raia on May 23, 2019 at 11:14 am
It’s such a wonderful drink, isn’t it?
Reply
Jennifer Dages on May 23, 2019 at 2:14 pm
I have seen this before and finally tired it, so it is brewing on my counter right now. Very excited for this drink. Looks wonderful.
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Raia on May 23, 2019 at 3:32 pm
It’s so delicious, Jennifer! I hope you enjoy it!
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CRYSTAL on December 30, 2021 at 8:31 pm
Tastes amazing! Can’t wait to add some bubbly to it for New Years. How long is this good for and I’m assuming you refrigerate it if you don’t drink it all?
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Raia on January 9, 2022 at 11:33 am
Yes! You can refrigerate leftovers. I hope you enjoyed it!
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MW on June 20, 2022 at 12:55 am
Can you ferment in the refrigerator or does it need to be room temperature? How long does this keep for in the refrigerator after fermenting?
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Raia on June 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm
You should ferment it at room temperature. Fridges are too cold to ferment things in. After fermentation you can transfer it to the fridge. It will last a couple days, just stir/shake it up again before serving. It may taste kinda flat after a day or two, though.
Reply
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