U.S. Also -ell. [Origin unknown. Cf. SWIZZLE.] A drink made of molasses and water, sometimes with vinegar, ginger, or rum added; also applied to various strong drinks sweetened and flavored.
1800. Weems, Washington, ix. (1877), 81. The dauntless Yankees still drank their Switchel.
1840. Haliburton, Clockm., Ser. III. xi. (1848), 85. What will you have? cocktail, sling, julip, sherry cobbler, purl talabogus, clear sheer or switchell?
a. 1848. in Bartlett, Dict. Amer., s.v. Liquor, Switchel-flip.
