What Is A Shrub Drink And How To Use Them

What in the heck is a shrub drink? Have you ever wondered what this type of drink is and how to use one? If so, let’s dive right in. That way, you’ll be asking folks to try this shrub drink sooner than later.

What is a Shrub?

A shrub drink is made out of three ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Fruit

The great thing about it is that it’s a versatile drink. You have the opportunity to highlight just about any fruit you’d like when making a shrub drink. Melon isn’t a very good choice but these are:

• Berries
• Stone fruits
• Citrus

It’s likely that you’ve never heard of this “fruitilicious” drink if you aren’t a mixologist. By the way, you will hear these also described as drinking vinegars or cocktail shrubs. We live in an age when people want to find more diverse options and try new flavors. Learn how to make a vinegar cordial and you’ll be the life of the next party!

How About Some Shrub History?

There is an Arabic word called Sharab. Sharab translates into “to drink”. This syrup was more common back during America’s colonial times. People would combine vinegar, sugar and fruit and let the entire mixture sit for about a week. Their next step was to mix the syrupy liquid with water in order to create a tart, yet refreshing, drink.

Want to Make a Shrub at Home?

Here’s how to make it happen! It only takes about 10 or 15 minutes to whip up one of these crowd-pleasers. Get the ingredients together. They are equal parts:

• Sugar
• Water
• Fruit
• Vinegar

Simmer the sugar and water over low heat. Allow the sugar to dissolve. Add in slightly mashed-up fruit and continue simmering the mixture. Basil or mint can be added if you’re looking for a bit more flavor.

Continue the simmering process until the solids get soft and the mixture becomes the same color as the fruit. Add in the white vinegar next. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a glass jar. Get rid of the solids and put the syrup into your refrigerator.

You can try this shrub drink as a non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink. A non-alcoholic version is easily made by taking the mixture from the fridge and pouring one tablespoon of it into a glass with ice. Add in either soda water or seltzer and you’re good to go. Enjoy a refreshing drink!

Want to get a bit tipsy instead? Use sparkling wine with the syrup. A berry shrub with sparkling rosé is a great choice. You might also take the seltzer drink from the preceding paragraph and add in gin or whiskey.

Well, there you have it. You know what a shrub drink is and you know how to use it. You use it by drinking the entire thing!