Actually - I've tried it and liked it. Another old-time Northern drink was Shrub - a fruit drink with a vinegar base. Rasberry, cherry and blackberry shrub are great!
Raspberry Shrub
4 quarts ripe raspberries
4 cups white or red wine vinegar 1 1/2 lbs. sugar
Wash 2 quarts of the raspberries, pour vinegar on top and mash with a wooden spoon in a glass dish. Cover and let stand for 48 hours at room temperature.
Wash remaining raspberries and pour over them, through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, the liquid formed by the first batch, discarding pulp. Let stand another 48 hours.
Mash well and strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.Add the sugar to the juice and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup has come to a full rolling boil. Strain again through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Cool and bottle. Yield: 8 - 10 cups.
To serve as a long, cool drink,pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup into a glass and fill with ice and water or soda water. To serve as a liqueur, pour 1 -2 Tbsp. into a small glass and add double the amount of gin, brandy or vodka and stir. Serve well iced.
Nectar of the gods.
I used to take a version of switchel with me on bike rides - great thirst quencher. I just used honey rather than molasses and honey.
Hm...been awhile since I made any!
“Switchel anyone?”
Yes Thanks, it is a perfect hay making drink.