How to Make Early American Drinks

How to Make Early American Drinks

Today, I’m excited to share with you how to make early American drinks that are perfect for your 4th of July celebrations! These beverages are also mocktails since they are non-alcoholic drinks.

So be sure to have some of these refreshing beverages handy this weekend for your festivities with family and friends, and let me wish you a very happy, healthy, and blessed Independence Day this 4th of July!

^*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My content may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.

Early American Drinks

During the 18th century in the United States, colonists enjoyed a variety of homemade drinks. Two beverages, in particular, were very popular:

• Shrub
• Switchel

These drinks are easy to make with ingredients you are sure to have on hand in your pantry. They come together in minutes and can be poured into a tall, ice-filled glass for a refreshing and flavorful treat!

What is a Shrub?

When it comes to early American drinks, the Shrub has such a funny name! But this beverage is actually very tasty and nothing like a twiggy garden bush.

A Shrub drink is a simple mixture of:

• Fruit puree
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Water (And to make it really special, you can use sparkling water.)

Plus, if you use raw apple cider vinegar, a Shrub can become a probiotic-rich drink that’s excellent for improving our gut flora.

Shrub Drink Recipe Videos

In the following recipe videos below, I show you how to make two different Shrub drinks:

• Strawberry Shrub
• Pineapple Mint Shrub

You and your Independence Day guests are sure to enjoy these tasty mocktails!

What is a Switchel?

Like a Shrub, a Switchel is another humorous name for one of the most popular early American drinks. In many ways, this beverage is a forerunner of the modern-day sports drink. Farmers would often enjoy a Switchel at room temperature while working in their fields.

You can make a basic Switchel beverage by mixing apple cider vinegar with water and molasses. And that’s it! Making a Switchel is even easier than making a Shrub.

Don’t worry if you don’t like molasses. You can easily substitute a different sweetener, like honey or maple syrup. And if you have sorghum syrup stashed away in your pantry, you can use it to sweeten your Switchel, just like the early American colonists often did when they didn’t have any molasses.

Switchel Drink Recipe Video

I show you how to make this beverage in my Switchel recipe video. And after you have created your basic Switchel mixture, pour it over ice and add a spring of mint or a slice of citrus. Voila! You’ve made a delightfully refreshing mocktail.

Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe Video

When making Shrub and Switchel drinks, you’ll need some apple cider vinegar. Raw is best, and in the following video, I show you how easy it is to make your own raw apple cider vinegar in this 3-part series.

Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List

I hope you have started transitioning from a processed foods kitchen to a traditional foods kitchen. (If you want to learn more, I have an introductory video about traditional foods.)

Wherever you’re at on your journey, be sure to download my free Essential Traditional Foods Pantry List. You will find this invaluable resource chockful of everything you need for your traditional foods pantry.

This comprehensive eBook also includes links to cooking videos and printable recipes, showing you how to use your pantry staples to create delicious and nutritious meals.

More Drink Recipes

If you enjoy making these early American drinks, check out the videos below where I show you how to make more homemade beverages, including your own electrolyte powder for quickly creating an easy and healthy sports drink.

Plus, I share how to make more drinks, including homemade ginger ale and strawberry soda!

Kitchen Academy Videos

Are you looking for more traditional foods videos? I invite you to join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members of this optional paid YouTube community get access to exclusive videos, live streams, and other members-only perks. Plus, your YouTube comments include a special members-only badge.

In the following members-only video, I talk about How to Make Amish Friendship Bread Sourdough Starter.

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Recommended Reading

^**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.