Herbal Shrubs
A shrub or sipping vinegar was popular during colonial times. A shrub is an intriguing blend of fruit, sugar, and vinegar that was used to preserve fruit and herbs long after the harvest during an era where refrigeration was not available. Vinegar is cooling and good at quenching your thirst. Combined with fruits, herbs, and a sugar, this vinegar drink is a refreshing treat.
Herbal Shrub- Cold Brew Method
Ingredients
- 1 cup berries raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc
- Herbs to flavor or for medicinal support
- 4 cups apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place fruit and herbs in a quart jar, cover with vinegar and let steep for 4 to 6 weeks. Then, strain out the fruit and herbs and place liquid in a saucepan. Add sweetener of choice (sugar, honey, or maple syrup) and heat slightly until the sweetener is dissolved and fully incorporated into the liquid. Chill and dilute with water or sparkling water when ready to serve.
Notes
Recipe Combination Ideas
Rose and Raspberry
Rose Scented Geranium and Raspberry
Lavender and Blueberry
Rosemary, Lemon and Blueberry
Sage, Lemon Verbena, and Blackberry
Blood Orange and Blackberry
Tulsi/Holy Basil and Mixed Berries
Apple Mint and Strawberry
Lime and Ginger
Basil and Peach
Peppermint and Cherry
Cinnamon and Apple
Cinnamon, Clove and Elderberry
Thyme and Grapefruit
Thyme and Raspberry
Shiso and Raspberry
The possibilities are endless!
Herbal Shrub- Hot Process Method
Ingredients
- 1 cup berries strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc
- Herbs for flavor or medicinal support
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 sweetener of choice sugar, honey, maple syrup (sugar tastes best!)
- ½-¾ cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place berries, water, and sweetener in saucepan and cook on medium heat stirring frequently and crushing berries as it warms. Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until you begin to pull the color and flavor from the berries. Turn of heat and cool completely. Strain off any berry and herb solids, then add the vinegar. Stir this mixture together and then bottle and refrigerate and it is ready to serve.
Notes
Recipe Combination Ideas
Rose and Raspberry
Rose Scented Geranium and Raspberry
Lavender and Blueberry
Rosemary, Lemon and Blueberry
Sage, Lemon Verbena, and Blackberry
Blood Orange and Blackberry
Tulsi/Holy Basil and Mixed Berries
Apple Mint and Strawberry
Lime and Ginger
Basil and Peach
Peppermint and Cherry
Cinnamon and Apple
Cinnamon, Clove and Elderberry
Thyme and Grapefruit
Thyme and Raspberry
Shiso and Raspberry
The possibilities are endless!