skip to main content

Summer drink of Mint & vinegar

23 years ago

This is a delicious traditional Iranian summer drink.

3 kilos sugar - 7 lbs

2cups white vinegar

bunch of mint

5-6 tall glasses of water

METHOD: Mix sugar and water in saucepan. Boil well. Add mint. Boil 20 minutes. Strain thorougly. Return to pot. Add vinegar. Boil 5-10 minutes. Bottle.

TO SERVE: Pour 1" of syrup into glass. Add plenty of ice. Add sprig of mint. Option: Add grated cucumger. Top up with water.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

lindac
23 years ago
It's also an old pioneer-farmer drink called "swichel"
Linda C
joanmary_z10
Original Author
23 years ago
Is 'switchel' an American recipe. And here I though I was being so 'exotic'! Delicious drink, and people are quite surprised when the ingredients are discussed, never realizing they were consuming some vinegar! Refreshing isn't it!
Related Discussions
?? How to make herbal vinegars or any other usese for herbs
Q
Comments (2)
Stacie, Look for the book, "Herbal Pantry" by Emelie Tolley. It really is a terrific book (out of print though, search ebay) and she has tons of recipes for herbal vinegars, mustards, jellies, syrups, liqueurs, etc.
...See More
What are your favorite summer drinks?
Q
Comments (24)
With liquor: I used to prefer Gin & Tonic, but lately the acidity has been bothering my stomach unless I eat snacks with it . . . which is definitely adding too many calories (LOL!). I've switched to Mojitos or a nice chilled prosecco. Without liquor: I LOVE ice water and that's usually what I drink throughout the day. I love lemonade, too, but try not to indulge very often because of all the calories. Lately, I've been making agua frescas in my blender. Yesterday I made a batch using pureed cucumber with a little fresh mint and a splash of honey. I find it very refreshing. My favorites so far, though, are the ones I make with watermelon or strawberries. Because I'm deathly allergic to the artificial sweeter aspertame/aspartamine, I steer clear of a lot of the store-bought drinks :~ ( I know that there are some new artificial sweeteners out there, but have been afraid to try them. I wouldn't chance having another reaction like that even if I was sitting in an ER exam room! Lynn
...See More
New or Favorite Summer Drinks ....please add yours to this list
Q
Comments (28)
I think this is a good starting point. I looked for the recipe I first used but think it must have been on a rum bottle or?? One thing I've learned is to NOT put the mint in the simple syrup (when making the syrup) instead of muddling it. I did that one time per a friend's instruction and YUCK it made the mojito taste like mouthwash. In a 16 ounce mixing glass, gently muddle together: 1 large sprig spearmint .75 oz simple syrup Add: 1 oz of fresh squeezed lime juice and pulp 2 oz white rum (sometimes called Silver Rum) I use Castillo Silver 3 oz club soda or sparkling mineral water Top with crushed ice and mix until drink is combined and glass is frosty. I used to use club soda, but now use Gerolsteiner mineral water that I buy at Trader Joe's. I've tried other mineral waters, but it's the only one I like I'd not use any other...if you can't find it, use club soda and use a name brand, not a house brand. I like Schweppes the best. Here is a link that might be useful: Water I prefer to use
...See More
Apple Cider Vinegar & Raw Honey
Q
Comments (23)
I always have tea with raw honey and lemon when I have a cold. It makes me feel better. I have a sister that had been taking benadryl every day for years because of her allergies. My other sister gave her a bottle of raw local honey and told her to take a spoon every day for her allergies. She has not taken a benadryl since! I have a friend that suffered horribly from seasonal allergies and began to take a local raw honey every day and has not had any allergies since. You can believe it or not but I know it works. I refuse to be a slave to pharmaceutical companies unless it's something serious.
...See More
Cinderella
23 years ago
I thought switchel was water, honey and vinegar....
eliza_ann
23 years ago
I'm from the island of newfoundland and traditionally switchel is a cup of unsweetened tea.Strange isn't it? Different strokes for different folks!
Katy
22 years ago
I did an internet search on swichel, no beverage matches. Switchel got more results including the site below. It's a bit different from the first recipe posted.

Katy

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/switchel.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Switchel recipe
Katy
22 years ago
I did a web search for "vinegar mint drink". Apparently the drink Joanmary is refering to is called Sekanjabin. I have included a link below.

http://www.jewish-food.org/recipes/sekanjab.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Sekanjabin (Persian mint drink)
joanmary_z10
Original Author
22 years ago
Yes, Sekanjabin is served as a wonderfully refreshing summer drink in Iran. It can also be bought, ready made in syrup form at Iranian stores or Middle Eastern stores.

Do try this - it sounds strange, but believe me on a hot day, you'll enjoy it tremendously!

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Icy Summer Drinks Reimagined as Rooms

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Cool, refreshing decor schemes conjure your favorite thirst quenchers, from lemonade to a vanilla shake

Houzz Products: Cool Ideas for Summer Drinks

Just the sight of these beverage dispensers, summery linens and bar accoutrements might cool down your guests

0

GARDENING GUIDES Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Delicious Mint

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pull out a pot for this one. Mint's spreading habit and hard-to-kill nature can be a blessing — if you're properly prepared

LIVING ROOMS 10 Ways to Get Your Living Room in the Summer Spirit

By Laura Gaskill

Live easy with beachy accents, casual furnishings and cool drinks at the ready

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

EDIBLE GARDENS 12 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden

By Annie Thornton

Make home cooking and drinks even better with herbs plucked from your own backyard or windowsill pot

ENTERTAINING How to Throw an End-of-Summer Moroccan Mixology Party

By Becky Harris

An event planner creates an evening of interactive cocktail-making fun for his guests

GARDENING GUIDES Attract Hummingbirds and Bees With These Beautiful Summer Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Roll out a welcome mat for pollinators to keep your landscape in balance and thriving

SUMMER GARDENING Houzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden!

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story

MOST POPULAR 20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties

By Laura Gaskill

Ditch the fancy and fussy in favor of laid-back entertaining that leaves you more time to enjoy the fun

Sponsored