Blackberry Shrub is a non-alcoholic mixer made from equal parts fruit, sugar, and vinegar. When mixed with sparkling water, it makes for a tart, tangy, and refreshing beverage!
Like most people, I began January with hopes of healthier eating. I was even hoping for a dry January, an entire month without alcohol.
Unfortunately, that didn’t last very long. I attended a dinner where I caved and happily accepted some bubbly.
Luckily, not all is lost! I found my new favorite mocktail. Let me introduce you to shrubs. Also known as drinking vinegar, this became all the rage in the LA dining scene in 2016.
The average cost of these shrub mocktail will run you about $12 here in Los Angeles. I just can’t justify paying for it at a bar or restaurant. Especially, now I know how simple and easy it is to make shrubs at home!
Blackberry Drinking Vinegar
“Drinking vinegar” may sound a bit off putting. I assure you, shrubs are quite delicious and refreshing.
Shrubs can be made with a variety of fruits and herbs. It’s a very versatile technique that produces wonderful results.
I have served this blackberry shrub to many guests. So far it has been unanimous. They would forgo wine for a glass for this bubbly tart drink!
What are shrubs?
Shrubs are made with equal parts fruit, sugar, and vinegar. The possible flavor combinations are infinite.
Along with the fresh fruit, you can also add herbs such as rosemary or thyme. You’ve also got plenty of options when it comes to vinegar. My favorite is apple cider vinegar.
Simply mash the fresh fruit with sugar. Stir in the vinegar and let the mixture steep for 3-5 days in the fridge.
Strain out the solids and keep the liquid in the fridge until you’re ready for a refreshing drink.
How to make blackberry shrub drink
You can make a non-alcoholic mocktail or add shrubs to your liquor of choice to make one tasty cocktail.
Main components of mocktail version:
- blackberry shrub syrup
- sparkling water, club soda, or any flavored sparkling water like Croix or spindrift
- optional garnishes: sliced lime, sliced orange, sliced lemon
To assemble this tasty mocktail, add one ounce of blackberry shrub to a serving glass filled with ice.
Top with about 5 oz of chilled sparkling water (or club soda). Stir to combine and drink up! The resulting beverage tastes similar to kombucha.
This is a drink you can feel good about drinking. Organic, raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar is known to have all sorts of health benefits, especially aid in digestion.
For a cocktail version, use your choice of gin, vodka, or tequila. Mix together 1.5 oz liquor with 2 oz blackberry shrub, and top it off with 4 oz sparkling water.
Blackberry Shrub
Ingredients
Blackberry Shrub:
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar*
Sparkling Blackberry Shrub:
- 1 oz blackberry shrub
- 5 oz sparkling water or club soda, chilled
Instructions
- Mash fresh blackberries with sugar. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow fruits to expel juices.
- Stir in vinegar. Cover and let steep in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, depending on your desired flavor profile. Strain out solids and keep in a jar. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Blackberry shrub syrup keeps in the fridge for a month.
- Sparkling Blackberry Shrub: Add 1 oz blackberry shrub syrup to a serving glass filled with ice. Top with chilled sparkling water. Stir to combine. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- I prefer to use organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar “with the mother.”
I made this recently and have to say it was SUPER DELICIOUS and refreshing! I was surprised, and was probably in an odd mood seeing as how it has apple cider vinegar in it, but if you want something tasty, and cool, and different, this is worth a try! Thanks so much for posting this!
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for trying out the recipe. I’m glad you liked it!
What is the serving size?
The assembled sparkling blackberry shrub is 6 oz of liquid plus ice.
My grandma made raspberry shrub every summer when I was growing up. Now I play with the recipe a bit. My favorite Blackberry, strawberry, cherry and tarragon. So, so, so good. 😊
Blackberry, strawberry, cherry, and tarragon sounds like a delicious combination! I’ll have to try that this summer. Thank you for sharing!