Drinking Vinegars: What's a shrub and why your drinks need them
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Cutting out alcohol is not for everyone, but even if you’re just trying to cut back on how much you drink for health reasons, stocking your pantry with shrubs aka. drinking vinegar syrup is the summer drink solution you never knew you needed. You’ve got a whole world full of options to swap out your boozy drinks for something a little healthier but shrubs sometimes fly under the radar. We started using shrubs when we were looking for the ‘bite’ that a boozy drink has but is missing in an alcohol-free cocktail. The punch of the vinegar elevates your drink and creates the feeling you’re drinking something grown-up.
Good quality vinegar packs a nutritional punch and when it’s infused with fruit it’s even better. Mixing them into a boozy or non-boozy cocktail means you’re getting a double whammy - taste and nutrition!
What’s in a shrub and what does it taste like?
A shrub is basically a vinegar base that is infused with fruit, botanicals and herbs to give it depth and flavour. It’s generally tangy, like vinegar, and just a tiny bit sour. The flavours from fruit and botanicals can be very subtle or strong depending on the combination and how long they were stewing for. They are generally the consistency of a very thin syrup.
How do you make shrubs?
Shrubs are generally made using two different methods: hot and cold. The hot method is faster as you can use it within 24 hours, but you can lose the essence of fruits like strawberries. The cold method takes a few days in the fridge to steep.
The hot method goes something like this:
The vinegar simmers on the stove with the added fruits and herbs
The mixture is set aside for between 1 - 4 days for the flavours to infuse into the vinegar
The strained liquid is then combined with simple syrup to add some sweetness.
You can store shrubs in the refrigerator for several weeks, but possibly even longer - check the best by date on store bought shrubs. If you’re trying to make your own shrub, make sure you find a recipe that includes instructions on how to sterilize canning jars before you start. It adds a step, but ensures you don’t get botchulism (similar to canning fruit, or making flavoured oils).
TIP: When you’re adding a shrub into a drink, a little goes a long way. Sometimes a tablespoon is more than enough!
What kind of drinks can you make with shrubs?
There are so many ways to create flavour and depth in alcohol-free cocktails and refreshers with shrubs. Mixologists around the world rely on shrubs for award-winning drinks and cocktails. From strawberry and mint to spicy mango, there are endless possibilities.
To start experimenting with shrubs, Amazon has a great variety for U.S. readers: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shrub&ref=nb_sb_noss
In Canada, False Ox and Som Cane are available at cocktailemporium.com, and Manning Canning (ManningCanning.com) in Toronto makes several flavours that are worth the shipping from Toronto.
An easy recipe to start with: find a jalapeno shrub (we love False Ox) and add it to some Clamato juice for an incredible brunch Caesar - you won’t even miss the vodka (or the hangover!).
