Ingredients
Limes
- 12to 15 key limes, the small local kind
- or 8 regular limes
Also
- 2 litrescold water
- 200to 300 g sugar, to taste
- a pinch of salt
Optional
- fresh mint
- a slice of ginger
- brown sugar in place of white
To serve
- over plenty of ice
- with fried fish or conch
Directions
- Roll each lime firmly under your palm on the worktop before cutting. Warm limes give more juice than cold ones, so take them out of the fridge in advance. Zest two or three of the limes before juicing them.
- Strain out the seeds properly, because bitten pips are bitter and key limes are full of them.
- Leave some pulp in, which is normal and gives body. Dissolve the sugar in a little warm water first, or make a simple syrup.
- Add the syrup to the lime juice and stir. Now add the cold water and the pinch of salt.
- Adjust with more water if it is too intense, or more lime if it is flat. Add the zest and any mint or ginger. Now chill it thoroughly for at least an hour.
- Strain out the zest before serving if you would rather not have it in the glass. Serve it over plenty of ice in tall glasses.
- Pack the glasses with ice rather than using two cubes, since the drink is meant to be very cold. It keeps two days refrigerated, though the lime flavour fades and the zest can turn slightly bitter, so strain it after the first day.
Technique
- Key limes are the small local variety and are what the drink is built on.
- It shares its name with the American switchel, which is a different drink.
- Brown sugar gives a slightly deeper, molasses-tinged version.
Substitutions
- Regular limes, using rather more of them.
- Bottled key lime juice, which is a fair substitute out of season.
Variations
- With mint.
- With ginger.
- With rum, as an adult version.
History
Made with the small local limes grown throughout the islands; it is the standard household cooler and accompanies fried fish.
Frequently asked questions
What is Switcha?
Switcha is a drink from Bahamas: bahamian limeade of fresh key limes, sugar and water over ice. Made with the small local limes grown throughout the islands; it is the standard household cooler and accompanies fried fish.
How long does Switcha take to make?
Switcha takes 15 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 2 litres. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Switcha?
Yes, within limits. Regular limes, using rather more of them. Bottled key lime juice, which is a fair substitute out of season.
What is the most important thing to get right in Switcha?
Pack the glasses with ice rather than using two cubes, since the drink is meant to be very cold. It keeps two days refrigerated, though the lime flavour fades and the zest can turn slightly bitter, so strain it after the first day.
