The world of fermented beverages is a complicated one that has become more apparent and well known in the last decade or two.
The success of kombucha companies like GT’s and Brew Doctor has opened up a whole new world of sparkling beverage possibilities beyond traditional soda pop companies like Pepsi and Coke.
To people who love kombucha, the reasoning is simple: it’s not just a fizzy drink, but a health tonic packed with herbs, spices, fruits, roots, vegetable powders and extracts, honey, green tea, black tea, fermented sugar (which reduces the glycemic index) and so much more.
In the last decade or so I also personally began drinking switchel, a type of fermented drink that I found at the local health food cafe.
I didn’t know exactly what it was at first but it reminded me so much of kombucha with its fizzy constitution and delicious flavors, packed with organic superfoods.
Recently, I got the opportunity to try a type of switchel from a company called Ancient Drinks, an inspiring beverage outfit offering a variety of flavors and drink concoctions for optimum health.
These are my impressions.
Switchel Tastes and Differences Compared to Kombucha
Unlike kombucha, switchel typically does not use a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria) and instead uses apple cider vinegar (ACV).
Apple cider vinegar is already fermented allowing for a simpler brewing process that yields impressive results due to the myriad benefits of apple cider vinegar.
I personally am not a big fan of the taste of apple cider vinegar, but I know how important the benefits are which is just one reason why switchel offers such incredible promise as a health cocktail.
People who wouldn’t normally drink apple cider vinegar can now indulge to their heart’s content with flavors and superfoods that mask and enhance the typically bitter taste of ACV.
Switchel is the perfect gateway to the world of apple cider vinegar based drinks, and Ancient Drinks is the best switchel company I have ever had.
Ancient Drinks Flavors (and My Personal Impressions)
Switchel provides the many health benefits of ACV along with whatever is added to the mix.
Kombucha is made by fermenting yeast and bacteria (SCOBY) in tea with sugar, which results in a slightly alcoholic and caffeinated beverage. While switchel uses apple cider vinegar, which is a byproduct of fermentation, switchel is brewed by simmering over low heat and is not fermented.
In the case of these Ancient Drinks, I tried the following flavors:
Sckanjabin Ancient Drink-
Sekanjabin, also known as Sckanjabin as shown above, has been deemed ‘the official refresher of Ancient Persia’ by the Ancient Drinks website.
This healing elixir is comprised of honey and vinegar. It is sometimes made with mint as it is in this particular case, shown above on the label.
I personally am a sucker for anything kombucha-mint flavored and this brought a similar flavor to my favorite mint kombucha with that signature, slightly bitter apple cider vinegar switchel finish, which I loved.
If you like delicious healing teas made with herbs like mint and in this case mineral-rich maple syrup, definitely check out this drink. It’s incredibly delicious and imparts a good feeling, almost a buzz type feeling, on the drinker.
Get a 12-pack of Sckanjabin on Amazon.com by clicking here
Regular Switchel-
The second drink I tried was the traditional switchel product from Ancient Drinks. This one contained lime, orange, lemon, maple syrup, Himalayan Pink Salt, ginger and ACV.
The symphony of different flavors and tastes made this a complex and deliciously healthy drink.
Altogether I would call this the third best flavor that I tried but still almost as good as any kombucha I’ve ever had with more of a ACV bitterness to it than usual Kombucha.
Get an Ancient Drinks Variety Pack By Clicking Here
I must say as an aside that I love the artwork on the Ancient Drinks delivery box. It has a viking and ancient empires type of theme to it which I absolutely loved.
Posca Ancient Drink-
Posca was originally made famous by the Ancient Romans, and is comprised of water, vinegar and wine, traditionally speaking.
The Ancient Drinks version I tried without knowing this background but now I wish I did because I would have added a cup of wine or so to the recipe to see how the two would blend together.
This one includes Cardamom (a light, earthy spice), ACV, maple syrup, Pink Himalayan Salt and Cayenne Pepper.
It tastes really excellent for a switchel-style drink and once again I absolutely loved the can and box art.
Overall I would place this in a tie for second place with the mint flavored Ancient Drink mentioned above.
Final Thoughts on Ancient Drinks Switchel Products
All things considered I really, truly enjoyed each and every one of these drinks.
The health benefits include support for healthy gut bacteria, hydration, energy levels and more, along with the digestive and weight management benefits of ACV.
These drinks come packaging that may as well be considered a collector’s item.
After trying these drinks, I can say with supreme confidence that this is one drink trend that I hope makes a full-fledged comeback sometime in the near future.
For now I suggest checking out the Ancient Drinks website to learn more and try a multi-pack or two.
This stuff truly is a ‘drink for the ages!’
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Thank you for reading and special thanks to the company for sending these drink samples.
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About Nick Meyer
