Switchel

• 8 cups water
• 1 cup real maple syrup
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ginger

Instructions:

Warm the water and syrup in a saucepan over low heat; mix until blended. (Try to use a stainless steel or non-metallic pan.) Pour into a glass pitcher. Add vinegar and ginger; stir and chill.

NOTE: You can substitute honey or sugar for the syrup, but if you're using this in a traditional way to purify your system, sugar is a bad idea. Incidentally, to try this recipe out and see if you like it, it can be halved or even quartered with no ill effects.