Nourishing Shrub
(aka Switchel)
Definition:
Shrub: A drink made with sweetened fruit juice, brandy, or vinegar (we are not using alcohol for this one). Also known as Switchel to some.
Supplies:
Fruit of any kind
Natural Cane Sugar (or honey crystals no white sugar for this recipe)
Sea Salt (or himalayan salt or non iodized salt)
Apple Cider Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar (I preferable herb infused- homemade red wine vinegar it’s most yummy in this recipe)
No Salt (potassium)
Directions:
Maw-Maw Kelli’s Version (I use for hydration)
In a bowl place 1-2 cups of frozen or fresh fruit. Mix together 1-2 cups of Natural Sugar (SuCaNat or SuCaNat honey crystals). Use this to cover your fruit. Make sure the fruit is covered. (or at least most of it) Let this sit in the microwave (with the light OFF) overnight. The next morning strain this mixture and press on the fruit while straining. You may use the fruit in smoothies or as a breakfast side.
Add 1-2 teaspoon of sea salt (optional I add this as a natural ‘rehydrator’ and ¼ of a teaspoon of ‘no salt’).
After you mix this up (use a hand blender it you need to-I just shake, shake, shake). Add equal amounts of red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) NO white vinegar (yuck that’s for cleaning only). I prefer herb infused vinegar as it is more nourishing, but that is optional. Use what you have.
Bottle this mixture and shake well for a few days. After it gets to a taste you like (that may be right away or in a month or so) then you may drink it. I don’t drink it straight. I add it to water. Some people add it carbonated water.
Use:
Add about 1/8 cup or so to 32 ounces of water. I find that plain water doesn’t hydrate me well, especially in the summer, I need more. So I will drink one of these plus water as well, and that helps me personally.
Again, I don’t drink it straight. I add about 1/8 or so of a cup to 32 ounces of water and drink that for hydration (that amount may vary according to your taste or needs). You may add more or less to your water as your taste desires. You can also add it to homemade ginger ale if you like.
Refrigerate in between uses.
Variations:
You can add black strap molasses if you like (I have done that). You can add any fruit you like (strawberry is my favorite), lemon, lime, etc. You can do many variations here. You are NOT (you should know this if you follow my blog) limited to a recipe. Make it your own and have fun with it. You can leave out the salt, no salt and even use white sugar (its not nourishing it is the standard way to make it). ‘Its your world, I’m just a squirrel’ Do as YOU please!
Disclaimer:
Everyone’s need for salt is different; you may adjust this according to your needs. My body does not retain salt, so I need a lot, yet some folks can’t tolerate much at all, so use your own intuition. None of the information contained here is medical advice nor a substitute for medical care in any way. I am NOT a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. J
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For educational purposes only!