Ginger Switchel Floats with Cinnamon Ice Cream — a refreshing take on a classic float, combining bright, spicy switchel with cool, creamy cinnamon ice cream.
Recipe originally published November 30, 2014
How to Make Switchel
Switchel is a seventeenth-century tonic that’s sweet, spicy, sour, and refreshingly bright. You may remember a similar drink from Little House on the Prairie. At its core, switchel blends apple cider vinegar, fresh ginger, a sweetener, and water to create a tangy, lively beverage that’s often praised for its balancing and anti-inflammatory properties.
I discovered and fell in love with a housemade switchel at a local restaurant, and after finding bottled versions at the market I started making my own at home. My version highlights plenty of fresh ginger — if you’re sensitive to ginger’s intensity, start with less and adjust to taste.
Switchel Recipe
This switchel recipe is simple and quick to prepare. It yields a bright, gingery drink that stores well in the refrigerator for several days. The proportions below make a lively concentrate that you can dilute with soda water or use straight, depending on how bold you like it.
Ginger Switchel Recipe
Switchel is a bright beverage of apple cider vinegar and ginger. A delicious, tangy drink with balancing properties.
5 minutes
5 minutes
Ingredients
- ¼ inch fresh ginger root, peeled and finely minced (or less to taste)
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 teaspoons maple syrup (adjust to sweetness preference)
- 24 ounces filtered water
Instructions
- Peel the ginger with the side of a spoon, then finely mince or grate it until it’s nearly a paste.
- Combine the minced ginger with apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and water. Stir well to blend.
- Store the switchel in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Shake or stir before serving. Dilute with additional water or club soda if desired.
Notes
Vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. Adjust ginger and sweetener to taste.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 12 ounces
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 31
Sodium: 17mg
Carbohydrates: 4g
Sugar: 6g
Switchel Ice Cream Float
Turning switchel into an ice cream float is a playful update on a childhood favorite. The tang and spice of ginger switchel balance beautifully with a rich, cinnamon-scented dairy-free ice cream.
For quick, creamy results I used a vegan sweetened condensed milk in my cashew-based cinnamon ice cream. You can make your own condensed milk or use a store-bought version for convenience.
Ginger Switchel Floats with Cinnamon Ice Cream
How to make the float:
- Two scoops cinnamon ice cream (recipe below)
- 8 ounces ginger switchel
- 4 ounces club soda
Scoop cinnamon ice cream into serving glasses. Combine switchel and club soda, then gently pour over the ice cream. Serve immediately and enjoy the contrast of tangy, fizzy switchel with creamy cinnamon ice cream.
These floats are inspired by family memories — a nod to Grandpa Z and his love of classic floats.
Cinnamon Ice Cream
Cinnamon ice cream is ultra rich and creamy on its own and makes an excellent base for floats.
3 minutes
20 minutes
23 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 1 cup cashew milk
- 11.25 ounces vegan sweetened condensed milk
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine soaked cashews and cashew milk. Blend until very smooth, several minutes if needed.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and cinnamon to the blender and blend until fully combined.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 20 minutes in a Cuisinart). Transfer to a covered, freezer-safe container and freeze until firm.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 6 scoops
Serving Size: 1 scoop
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 359
Kristina is spabettie. She discovered cooking early in life and launched spabettie in 2010 to share vibrant vegan recipes. Her recipes focus on fresh, flavorful plant-based food.
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