Raspberry Shrub

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

June 22, 2022 by admin

Shrub is a drink that is sweet, tart, bubbly and cool; the perfect mixture for a hot summer day. The unusual name comes from sharab the Arabic word for syrup. This colonial era beverage was much sought after as it both quenched the thirst and preserved the fleeting flavors of summer fruit. It fell out of favor with the advent of soda pop but is now experiencing a resurgence as it can be enjoyed with bubbly water and ice or blended with alcohol for a unique and refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients

The three basic ingredients in a shrub are sugar, fruit and vinegar. Almost any type of fruit can be used and it doesn’t have to be in pristine condition. Most sugars will work but white refined sugar competes the least with the fruit flavors. Cider or red wine vinegar is usually used but if you have other types on hand give them a try and see how it tastes.

How to Make

Once you have your ingredients together you can either do a cold or hot process. To do the hot process mash the fruit, mix with the sugar and cook until you have a light syrup. (A third vinegar, a third fruit and a third sugar is a good blend.) Strain out the seeds, mix in the vinegar and store in the fridge.

To do a cold process mix the sugar and mashed fruit then let sit for a day or two in the fridge until the juices are coming out. Strain out the seeds, add the vinegar and put back in the fridge. This makes for a fruitier, fresher tasting drink than the hot process version.

Sugar mixed with berries ready for the fridge to sit and let the juices come out.

Vinegar, berry juice and sugar all blended together and ready to mellow in the fridge.

This delightful blend will be quite concentrated so add in bubbly water or ice cubes before drinking. Gin pairs nicely with this raspberry version of shrub.