Have you discovered the timeless charm of shrub? A shrub is an old fashioned, fruit-infused vinegar that is sweetened and is used to flavor carbonated water or cocktails. It’s perfect for brunch as a refreshing stand-in for champagne or as a thirst-quenching summer afternoon beverage! Start your strawberry shrub when strawberries are in peak season to enjoy this sweet-tart delight all summer long.
It takes about a week to infuse the berries into a rich syrup, so be patient. We often add another batch of strawberries for a second infusion. We think of it kind of like a sourdough starter — as we use it, we add equal parts of vinegar and sugar to top off the ar most of the summer.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups organic strawberries* or (other berries such as raspberries or blackberries), washed, quartered and lightly crushed
2 cups sugar
2 cups red wine vinegar
METHOD:
Place berries or fruit in a large mason jar. Cover with sugar and stir.
Place plastic lid on the jar and store in the refrigerator until juice exudes from fruit and starts to combine with sugar to form syrup. Maceration may take a few hours or it may need a day or so. Turn the jar several times to combine fruit and sugar.
Add red vinegar to the jar and shake gently to combine. Store in refrigerator. There may be some residual sugar at the bottom (which is okay). Shake and invert jar several times each day to combine sugar over the next week.
Strain spent fruit from syrup. Pour syrup through a funnel into a clean bottle or jar and store in the refrigerator.
To serve, add a few tablespoons to an ice-filled glass and fill with carbonated water. Add a splash of strawberry shrub to green iced tea for added flavor or use in vodka cocktails.
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