berry shrubs!
a versatile drinking vinegar fit for mocktails, cocktails, salad dressings & more
Hi friends,
It’s hot out there right now 🥵! So let me recommend a cooling drink to quench your thirst.
Enter the shrub.
Also called a “drinking vinegar,” it’s a concentrate made with fruit, sugar, and vinegar. It’s juicy, tart, and an exceptionally refreshing ingredient for mocktails and cocktails.
There are lots of different techniques for making shrubs (I go into this in more detail below), but my preferred method, at least for berries, is to make a quick jam, then steep the fruit with vinegar for several days in the fridge. Strain the mixture, then store it in the fridge for up to two months.
The resulting liquid is concentrated enough to work beautifully in a salad dressing, but when diluted with seltzer, it transforms into a tangy, effervescent soda, a bit like kombucha.
I originally developed the recipe with blackberries in mind, but it also works with raspberries and, I’d imagine, strawberries, too. And yes, you can use frozen berries! In fact, I recommend whichever option gives you the ripest fruit, as it will best balance the vinegar’s acidity.
Get all the details below! ↓
Blackberry Ginger Shrub
The Best Method for Making a Shrub
There are several ways to prepare a shrub, and each yields slightly different results. I tested the two most popular methods and ultimately developed a hybrid of the two for a richer, fuller flavor that balances the vinegar’s acidity.
Regardless of the preparation, most recipes use a 1:1:1 ratio of fruit to sugar to vinegar, providing the best balance of flavor, consistency, and proper preservation.
After landing on my “hybrid” method, I also tested two versions in which I added vinegar before and after the 3-day chill. Though the difference was subtle, I found the “before” version had a more complex, balanced flavor.
Note: There are slight variations where the fruit and sugar sit at room temperature (instead of chilling in the fridge). I avoided this option because it does require a bit more precaution for optimal preservation!
Serving Suggestions
For a mocktail, I recommend mixing it with your favorite seltzer or club soda! I always pair mine with a Spindrift.
For an alcoholic drink, you’ll want a splash of seltzer, your alcohol of choice (gin and bourbon are great here), and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Ice cream: Spoon a little fruit syrup over ice cream for a refreshing and tangy dessert.
Salad dressing: This is the most delicious fruity vinegar for a salad dressing! Mix it up with a little olive oil, mustard, salt, and pepper.
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That’s all for today,
Karishma