how2heroes » Simmered Fruit Shrubs (Drinking Vinegars)

Beverages » Simmered Fruit Shrubs (Drinking Vinegars)

In Colonial days, in order to extend the life of fresh fruit, people would turn them into shrubs. Not to be confused with the shrubs that line your fence, drinkable shrubs consist of ripe or overripe fruit combined with sugar and vinegar. It is then strained for a concentrated liquid that would be added to water for a refreshing and appetite-inducing aperitif. Today, shrubs are used in making fresh, homemade sodas and creative cocktails. The possibilities for the many flavors of shrubs you can create are endless. Lynne shows you a few of her favorite fruits that are ideal using the Simmered Fruit method. You can also watch the more traditional No-Cook Fruit Shrubs video.

Print Recipe

Makes 3 cups

You can store shrubs in the fridge covered for between 1-2 years!

Ingredients

For the Cherry Shrub

2 cups cherries, pitted & halved
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar*

For the Cherry Shrub Bomb Cocktail

ice cubes
2-3 tbsp cherry shrub
1 oz gin
seltzer water to fill
cherry for garnish

How-to

Make Cherry Shrub

Combine cherries, sliced pepper, and sugar in a saucepan
Heat and stir over medium until sugar is melted and begins to boil
Remove from heat and purée in a food processor until smooth
*Strain into a measuring cup. Depending on how much liquid your fruit yields (will depend on water content of fruit and time simmering), add an additional 1/3 portion of vinegar. Lynne's simmered fruit yielded 2 cups of liquid, so she added 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine
Refrigerate until cold

Make Cherry Shrub Bomb Cocktail

Combine all ingredients in a glass filled with ice
Stir to combine
Garnish with a cherry

Other Flavor Suggestions

Get creative with your fruit shrubs — there is no wrong or right combination. Here are some other fruits and flavors that work well with this technique: grapes, plums, and currants . Kick things up a notch by simmering some fresh herbs in with your fruit mixture!