See quotations.
1801. Drink Switchel, that is, Molasses or Maple Sugar mixed with water.—‘Spirit of the Farmer’s Museum,’ p. 267.
1824. His remarks have been mere porridge and chips—Yankee switchell—milk and water trash.—Letter to The Microscope, Albany, N.Y., June 12, p. 55/2.
1825. The toddy, egg-nog, and switchell (a drink made of molasses and water—half and half—in use, we believe, at Bunker’s Hill), had gone about rather freely; so that, a few minutes after the ring was formed, a few heavy tumbles were given, without a trip, or a lock.—John Neal, ‘Brother Jonathan,’ i. 256.
1850. S. Judd’s ‘Margaret,’ ii. 6 (‘Century Dict.’).
