One of my favourite drinks back in Oz (besides wine) was switchel. It’s like a healthy Gatorade/electrolyte drink made with natural ingredients and perfect for this hot weather here in Dubai. With a base of apple cider vinegar (the raw, fermented variety containing ‘mother’) it has good-for-you-gut benefits too. And unlike other fermented drinks like kefir and kombucha, it’s super simple to make with easy to find ingredients. Cheers to that.

Here’s a basic recipe:

• 8 cups water
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

Thumb of ginger sliced thinly
Mix all ingredients together in a large jug. Let it steep overnight. Pour over ice to enjoy.
Use this as a base, but add in what you fancy, like lemon, lime, grapefruit juice, fresh herbs, sliced fruit. Or make the mixture with half the water to steep, then when ready to drink top it up with sparkling water for fizz.
If you add in gin or vodka I am not here to judge.