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.

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Herbal Shrub- Cold Brew Method

Course: Drinks

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!

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Herbal Shrub- Hot Process Method

Course: Drinks

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.