It doesn’t get any more Bahamian than switcha. This refreshing sweet, yet tart delight is simply amazing. It’s one of my favorite Bahamian recipes, plus it’s so easy to make.
Switcha is one of the best summer drinks you will ever taste. It’s cold, refreshing, tart, and sweet, so get ready to enjoy a glass of this Bahamian delight.
What Is Bahamian Switcha
Switcha is a drink made with fresh key limes, water, and sugar. This combination of ingredients creates a cold sweet, yet tart drink that is super refreshing. It is a simple drink that’s used to wash down Bahamian classics like duff and coconut tart.
Where Did Switcha Come From
Switcha stems from the Southern United States. Although it wasn’t called switcha back then, the drink arrived on Bahamian shores along with the Loyalists during the 1780s.
Determining when limeade became switcha is a bit difficult. However, locals believe the name came from the words switch up.
Whenever someone would drink switcha, their face would switch up due to the tart flavor from the key limes. Somewhere along the line, switch up became switcha, and the name stuck.
What Is Switcha Made Of
Traditionally, switcha is made from water, limes, and sugar. However, this recipe contains sugar-free sweetener, making it low in calories and keto-friendly. It also contains lime zest to infuse the drink with even more lime flavor.
Are Lemonade And Limeade Different
Lemonade and limeade are different. They have differing levels of tartness.
Lemonade is made with lemons, water, and sugar or sugar-free sweetener. In contrast, limeade is made from limes, sugar or sugar-free sweetener, and water giving the lemonade a tangier flavor than lemonade.
How Healthy Is Limeade
Yes, limeade can be healthy if it is not made with a ton of sugar. Limes contain phytochemicals that are good for the body. Phytochemicals can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, reduce inflammation, and help treat cardiovascular, urolithiasis, and hepatic osteoporosis. Limes also have antioxidant properties and can lower blood pressure.
Since it’s made with sugar-free sweetener, this limeade contains 11 calories and 3.7 grams of carbs. So it is the perfect refreshing drink that’s low in calories and sugar.
Tips For Making Switcha
- Roll the limes on your counter back and forth before you zest them. This will help the limes produce more juice.
- There were pieces of lime pulp floating around in the switcha. I did not mind it. However, you can strain the switcha in a fine-mesh sieve to remove the pulp.
- Do not add ice to the pitcher with the switcha. The ice will water down the drink. Pour the switcha into glasses filled with ice instead.
How Long Does Switcha Last
Switcha will last for 2-3 days stored in the refrigerator. However, the longer the limeade sits, the more flavor it will lose. So it’s best to serve the limeade on the day you made it for the best flavor.
More Drink Recipes:
Sparkling Cranberry Switcha
Blueberry Lime Refresher
Watermelon Refresher
Switcha (Bahamian Limeade)
8
servings10
minutes5
minutes11
kcal15
minutesA glass of switcha is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. It is super easy to make and only requires 3 ingredients. Switcha is cold, refreshing, and simply one of the best drinks you will ever taste.
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Ingredients
4 cups water
1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice (from 8 key limes)
2 cups of sugar-free sweetener
Directions
- Use the fine side of a grater or a microplane to zest the limes. You can also peel the skin away from the limes using a paring knife.
- Put the lime zest or peel into a medium pot, add the sugar-free sweetener, and mix it for 1 minute to release the oils in the zest or peel. Next, add 2 cups of water. Mix to combine.
- Place it over medium-high heat, stir it until the sugar-free sweetener dissolves, then let it come to a boil. Turn off the heat, then let the syrup cool completely.
- Cut the limes in half and squeeze the juice out of them.
- Add the syrup to a pitcher along with the remaining water and lime juice and mix until combined.
- Pour the switcha into glasses filled with ice.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Nutrition Facts
8 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories11
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
0g
0%
- Saturated Fat 0g 0%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 341mg 15%
- Potassium 52mg 2%
- Total Carbohydrate
3.7g
1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.2g 0%
- Sugars 0.7g
- Protein 0.2g 0%
- Calcium 10%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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