A shrub is a drink made from vinegar and fruit along with other ingredients such as alcohol or sparkling water. Vinegar has a way of both infusing and pulling out the flavor from ingredients which are steeped in it. This maceration process is simple and delightfully tasty. It's also a healthy alternative to store bought sweetened drinks. With spring's abundance of produce imminent, use your imagination to create delightful combinations of seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, and vinegar to make all manner of mixers and spritzers. You can also add alcohol of your choice to make it one of your new summertime drinks.
Grapefruit / Cucmber / Lemon Sprakling Shrub
Blueberry / Lemon / Thyme Balsamic Sparkling Shrub
Strawberry / Peach or Apricot Balsamic Sparkling Shrub
In a one liter mason jar or container add ingredients. Pour the flavored balsamic over and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to four hours. The longer it sits, the more pronounced the flavor of the fruit infusion. Strain and keep refrigerated and tightly covered for up to two months.
To serve, add 1-2 tablespoons of shrub mix to 8 oz. of chilled water, sparkling water, seltzer or cocktail. Serve over ice if desired. Makes between 16-32 servings depending on amount added.
Note: Be creative and use different fruits or vegetables in your scrub mix
Ingredients
1 small sprig mint
2" long zest of lime peel
4-6 fresh raspberries
1 fluid ounce Wild Cascadian Raspberry White Balsamic
2 fluid ounces rum
2 fluid ounces club soda
Directions
Muddle mint leaves, lime peel, raspberries, and balsamic together in a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add the rum; cover and shake until chilled. Pour entire contents of shaker into a Collins glass and top with club soda.
Serves 1