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General Category >> rbent Lobby >> 19th Century Hydration
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Message started by Patti on Jul 4^th, 2013, 2:54pm

Title: 19th Century Hydration
Post by Patti on Jul 4^th, 2013, 2:54pm

Cyclists tend to have a wide variety of drinks at their disposal. You can find many discussions (sometimes arguments) regarding the best hydration fluids to carry on your rides. Some folks are water purists, some prefer flavored water, some use prepared sports drinks and many use various additives to their water such as proteins and electrolytes.
While going through an old cookbook I acquired from my grandmother, I ran across some recipes for Switchel. Also known as Haymker's Punch, Switchel was the popular "sports drink" of the 19th century. It was prepared to be taken out into the fields during harvests and was especially popular because it provided an energy boost but could be drunk cold without causing side effects such as nausea or cramping. I'm planning on mixing up a batch to try on my longer rides, for curiosity as much as anything else, but was wondering if anyone here has ever tried it?

(Cross posted to RRI)

Title: Re: 19th Century Hydration
Post by dd5339 on Jul 4^th, 2013, 3:47pm

Patti,

Thanks for the post. I just googled up a recipe and it looks interesting. Might just have to try that. The cider vinegar in there might just give me an option for fighting cramps other than pickle juice.

Semper Fi

Title: Re: 19th Century Hydration
Post by Patti on Jul 5^th, 2013, 8:47am

It certainly sounds tastier (to me) than pickle juice. I tried some pickle juice last year at HHH. It caused me to have some significant stomach issues possibly due to its high acidity. The ginger in switchel should mellow that out, but retain the benefits.

There are variations but here are a couple of traditional recipes:

2 qts water ( can be 1 gallon)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp ginger (increase to 1 heaping teaspoon if using 1 gallon of water)

Boil water. remove from heat and add ingredients. Stir until dissolved. Chill

or

3/4 cup maple syrup
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 heaping teaspoon ground ginger
1 gallon Water

Combine ingredients, stir until dissolved. Chill.

Allowing the mix to sit overnight gives it fuller flavor. Mix may be strained through cheesecloth after sitting, if preferred.

Title: Re: 19th Century Hydration
Post by Caribwill on Jul 5^th, 2013, 8:49pm

Apple cider vinegar is a pretty strong diuretic which will cause you to reduce fluid( and likely pit stops....). May want to test it first.