image from Old Farmers' Almanac
We are open today, Thursday, Friday this week. Starting July 3rd the weekends we will be closed. We will be here Tuesday July 6th, Wed July 7th, Thursday July 8th, Friday July 9th. We have moved lots of the plants, but still have potted plants that are looking good to go into your garden. Herbs, perennials, lilies, annual packs, geraniums, vinca vines, sunpatiens, marigolds, petunias, hanging baskets look nice yet, vine plants such as cucumbers, squash, few tomatoes if you need to fill in some, peppers, and still all in colors. What we are doing now is planting our containers for the rest of the season for me. I have so enjoyed all the color on the racks I will miss that when it is time to end the planting. So these are pictures of the pots we have made. So if you need color yet or refresh some pots or baskets stop in and see me. Open from 9-6 these last days. This week till Friday. Next week Tuesday thru Friday.
When I was growing up in Allamakee County hay making was serious work. Mother would make kool aid for us and always would have cold meat sandwiches with it. Never hear of the Haymaker’s punch. I might have to try it and see. I like molasses and I will let you know.
How about dog day drink? That sounds good too.
Switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch, is a refreshing drink made with apple cider vinegar. It was how colonial farmers quenched their thirst out in the hot, sunbaked fields—which is enough of an endorsement for me!
This drink is also called Haymaker’s Punch because it was often drunk while haying—which is hard work under the hot summer sun!
WHAT IS SWITCHEL?
Switchel has a long history as a traditional drink with Colonial Americans. (Read about the Read about the history of Switchel.) It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients—apple cider vinegar, ginger, water, and a sweetener.
Think of it as “Nature’s Gatorade.” It will give you an energizing electrolyte boost better than any pricey energy drink or soda. All the ingredients (except water, of course) are actually sources of the electrolyte potassium. Switchel is known as a health tonic that boosts the immune system, too (but don’t tell the kids it’s “healthy”). Apple cider vinegar even helps to detoxify your organs!
Its cold-weather cousin, Apple-Cider Tonic, is also known to keep your immune system running smoothly and can help keep you safe from those nasty winter colds.
We tested a few great switchel recipes to see if it really lived up to its old-fashioned fame.
OLD-FASHIONED SWITCHEL RECIPE
Here’s a classic Haymaker’s Punch recipe, which was unearthed from the archives of The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
1 gallon water
1 ½ cups molasses
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
We like molasses, but you could replace it with maple syrup, honey, or another sweetener. You could cut back the sweetener, too. Find the right balance for you. Remember to start with less—as you can always add more. Switchel shouldn’t coat your mouth; it should taste refreshing. Another idea is to add a teaspoon of fresh lemon or lime juice for zing.
SWITCHEL RECIPE FROM AN ALMANAC READER
Here’s an alternative switchel recipe to try, courtesy of Dennis Miles, an Almanac Facebook fan and full-time blacksmith. He drinks his Haymaker’s Punch from a mid-19th century haymaker’s jug.
1 gallon water
2 cups raw or dark brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger (fresh)
Serve in mason jars.
Mmmm! Switchel is so refreshing and delicious! It tastes pleasantly tart and, surprisingly, not too sweet.
And, boy, is it drinkable—much more so than plain water. I’ll say that it did quench my thirst for water, but not for switchel. We drank half the pitcher!
A hot summer day is the best time to whip up a refreshing pitcher of Dog Days Iced Tea.
What are Dog Days? We’re glad you asked! The Dog Days of summer are traditionally the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. To learn more, check out our Dog Days of Summer page. In the meantime, sit back and relax with this quintessential summer beverage.
Recipe for Dog Days Iced Tea
INGREDIENTS
7 bags black tea (English, Earl Grey, etc.)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup mint leaves and sprigs, divided
2 cups chilled orange juice
1 orange, sliced crosswise
1 lemon, sliced crosswise
ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS
Brew a strong tea in about 10 cups water. While still hot, add sugar and about a dozen mint leaves. Let cool.
Remove tea bags and mint; then add orange juice, fruit slices, and ice.
Serve over more ice, garnish with fresh mint sprigs, and add a fruit slice or two to each glass.
YIELD: Makes 8 to 10 servings
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/summer-drink-recipes-cool
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
When I was growing up in Allamakee County hay making was serious work. Mother would make kool aid for us and always would have cold meat sandwiches with it. Never hear of the Haymaker’s punch. I might have to try it and see. I like molasses and I will let you know.
How about dog day drink? That sounds good too.
Switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch, is a refreshing drink made with apple cider vinegar. It was how colonial farmers quenched their thirst out in the hot, sunbaked fields—which is enough of an endorsement for me!
This drink is also called Haymaker’s Punch because it was often drunk while haying—which is hard work under the hot summer sun!
WHAT IS SWITCHEL?
Switchel has a long history as a traditional drink with Colonial Americans. (Read about the Read about the history of Switchel.) It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients—apple cider vinegar, ginger, water, and a sweetener.
Think of it as “Nature’s Gatorade.” It will give you an energizing electrolyte boost better than any pricey energy drink or soda. All the ingredients (except water, of course) are actually sources of the electrolyte potassium. Switchel is known as a health tonic that boosts the immune system, too (but don’t tell the kids it’s “healthy”). Apple cider vinegar even helps to detoxify your organs!
Its cold-weather cousin, Apple-Cider Tonic, is also known to keep your immune system running smoothly and can help keep you safe from those nasty winter colds.
We tested a few great switchel recipes to see if it really lived up to its old-fashioned fame.
OLD-FASHIONED SWITCHEL RECIPE
Here’s a classic Haymaker’s Punch recipe, which was unearthed from the archives of The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
1 gallon water
1 ½ cups molasses
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
We like molasses, but you could replace it with maple syrup, honey, or another sweetener. You could cut back the sweetener, too. Find the right balance for you. Remember to start with less—as you can always add more. Switchel shouldn’t coat your mouth; it should taste refreshing. Another idea is to add a teaspoon of fresh lemon or lime juice for zing.
SWITCHEL RECIPE FROM AN ALMANAC READER
Here’s an alternative switchel recipe to try, courtesy of Dennis Miles, an Almanac Facebook fan and full-time blacksmith. He drinks his Haymaker’s Punch from a mid-19th century haymaker’s jug.
1 gallon water
2 cups raw or dark brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger (fresh)
Serve in mason jars.
Mmmm! Switchel is so refreshing and delicious! It tastes pleasantly tart and, surprisingly, not too sweet.
And, boy, is it drinkable—much more so than plain water. I’ll say that it did quench my thirst for water, but not for switchel. We drank half the pitcher!
A hot summer day is the best time to whip up a refreshing pitcher of Dog Days Iced Tea.
What are Dog Days? We’re glad you asked! The Dog Days of summer are traditionally the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. To learn more, check out our Dog Days of Summer page. In the meantime, sit back and relax with this quintessential summer beverage.
Recipe for Dog Days Iced Tea
INGREDIENTS
7 bags black tea (English, Earl Grey, etc.)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup mint leaves and sprigs, divided
2 cups chilled orange juice
1 orange, sliced crosswise
1 lemon, sliced crosswise
ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS
Brew a strong tea in about 10 cups water. While still hot, add sugar and about a dozen mint leaves. Let cool.
Remove tea bags and mint; then add orange juice, fruit slices, and ice.
Serve over more ice, garnish with fresh mint sprigs, and add a fruit slice or two to each glass.
YIELD: Makes 8 to 10 servings
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/summer-drink-recipes-cool
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
