Sip a Shrub: DIY Drinking Vinegar
A refreshing, tangy-sweet fruit and vinegar concentrate perfect for mocktails, cocktails, or sparkling water, with roots in ancient preservation techniques. This berry shrub is easy to make and versatile.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries raspberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a clean glass jar or bowl, combine the fresh berries and granulated sugar.
- Muddle the berries and sugar gently with a spoon or muddler until the berries release some juice and the sugar starts to dissolve. Cover and refrigerate for 24-48 hours. This allows the fruit to macerate and release its flavors into the sugar.
- After macerating, strain the fruit mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the fruit solids.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to the fruit-sugar syrup and stir well until fully combined.
- Pour the finished shrub into a clean, airtight bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator.
- To serve, combine 1-2 tablespoons of shrub with 6-8 ounces of sparkling water, tonic water, or use as a mixer in cocktails. Adjust to taste.
Notes
For best flavor, allow the shrub to infuse in the refrigerator for at least 24-48 hours, or up to a week. Strain well. Store in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to a month. Experiment with different fruits like peaches, ginger, or even herbs like mint or basil. Adjust sugar and vinegar to your taste. Serve diluted with sparkling water, tonic, or as a mixer for cocktails.