Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

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This Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe is a quick and easy way to add something tangy and delightful to your favorite drink or co*cktail. Serve with sparkling water for a refreshing treat or add to your favorite co*cktail for an unexpected twist!

Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (1)

The first time I heard the word "shrub" it was in the ingredients of a delicious co*cktail I had at this cool swanky bar in Portland. I asked the bartender what it was and she said "drinking vinegar!"

Jump to:
  • Why I Love This Recipe
  • What is a "Shrub"?
  • Cold vs. Hot Shrub Recipe
  • More co*cktail and Fresh Fruit Recipes
  • What Type of Vinegar to Use
  • What Type of Sugar to Use
  • Save that fruit that's about to go bad!
  • The Flavor Combinations are Endless!
  • Fresh Fruit Shrub
  • Did you try this recipe?

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because not only is it delicious, but it's also unique and can be used for many different things like co*cktails and even salad dressing! Shrubs or drinking vinegar have been around for a long time and just recently became popular again.

I also love this recipe because you can use many different kinds of fruit and it's a great recipe for fruit that is over-ripe and about to go bad. Although it seems strange at first, I promise you will love the unique flavor this recipe creates.

Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (2)

What is a "Shrub"?

A “shrub” is basically an old way of preserving. They are typically a fruit and/or herb-infused syrup, made with fresh ingredients, and then fortified with some type of vinegar.

The word “shrub” is derived from the Arabic word “sharbah,” which translates to “drink.” Back in the day, people from the 16th-18thcentury drank shrubs to prevent scurvy.

Today, shrubs are infused with all different flavor combinations and some even use them for health benefits. There are some shrubs you can find in stores, also called drinking vinegar.

Cold vs. Hot Shrub Recipe

My fresh fruit shrub recipe is a "cold" recipe meaning there is no cooking needed to make this shrub. You are basically macerating fruit with sugar, and then fortifying it with vinegar.

The only downside to a cold recipe is that you have to wait a day or two before enjoying your creation. Some recipes are the "hot" or "cooked" version where you boil the fruit with sugar and water, basically making a syrup to add to the vinegar.

This is handy if you want to enjoy your shrub immediately but I have heard that you don't get quite as much fresh fruit flavor this way. I haven't tried the hot version yet, mostly because the cold recipe works so well for me I haven't needed to change it.

More co*cktail and Fresh Fruit Recipes

  • Gin Elderflower co*cktail Recipe
  • The Last Word
  • Easy Cherry Crumble Bars
  • Fresh Mango Galette
  • Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe

What Type of Vinegar to Use

You can choose from different types of vinegar and that will, of course, change the taste of your finished product. I use an Asian white vinegar called Datu Puti. This vinegar is made from sugarcane and has a rich, slightly sweet flavor.

You can also use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, champagne vinegar, or coconut vinegar. I would also suggest trying this recipe for the first time with just berries. I've made strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, and plum shrub so far and they have all been delicious.

Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (3)

What Type of Sugar to Use

You can use white or brown sugar. White sugar will allow the fruit flavor to really come out, while the brown sugar will add a darker flavor. You can also try other sweet elements like honey, agave, or maple syrup.

Save that fruit that's about to go bad!

Shrubs are a great way to transform fruit that has almost gone bad or is overripe. Since you are adding sugar, transforming the fruit into juice, and adding vinegar to preserve it, why not? You will have a delicious drink that will keep in your fridge for up to 4-6 weeks instead of throwing away some perfectly usable fruit.

Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (4)

The Flavor Combinations are Endless!

There are so many different combinations of fruit and fruit and herbs you could try together, here are a few ideas:

  • Strawberry-Mint
  • Peach-Rosemary
  • Cherry-Almond
  • Blueberry-Vanilla
  • Lime-Ginger
  • Pineapple-Sage

The sky is the limit when it comes to making unique and tasty flavor combinations for your shrubs. Once you get the process down, you can make whatever you can think of!

If you get a chance to make this Fresh Fruit Shrub, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.

Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (5)

Fresh Fruit Shrub

This fresh fruit shrub recipe is a quick and easy way to add something tangy and delightful to your favorite drink or co*cktail.

5 from 13 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 12 hours hours

Total Time: 12 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 cups

Calories: 112kcal

Author: Emily

Ingredients

  • 5-6 cups strawberries, washed and hulled (other berries work as well)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups vinegar of your choice ( I use Datu Puti, an Asian vinegar)

Instructions

  • Add the clean fresh fruit and sugar to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a lid, and place it in the fridge overnight.

  • Remove mixture from the fridge. You will notice that the fruit has released its juices naturally and you now have a syrup-like mixture. Mash up the fruit using the back of a spoon or a masher.

  • Over another bowl, strain your syrup mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. You can lightly push on the fruit to squeeze out the juices.

  • Pour the strained syrup into a large measuring cup to see how much liquid you have. I usually end up with about 2 cups. What you measure in syrup is how much vinegar you will add (1:1 ratio). Pour equal amounts of syrup and vinegar into a sealable glass bottle. Seal the container and shake to combine. add the lid and shake. The shrub will last in the fridge in a sealed bottle for 4-6 weeks.

Notes

  • The shrub will last in the fridge in a sealed bottle for 4-6 weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 26.9g | Calcium: 9mg

Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

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Did you try this recipe?

If you make this Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe or any other recipe from my blog I'd love to see and hear about it! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook. You can also follow me on Pinterest or sign up for my email alerts so you never miss a recipe or update!

Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade shrub last? ›

How Long Does A Shrub Last In The Fridge? Filled and tightly sealed in a jar, shrubs last about 6 months in the refrigerator if used sparingly. With more frequent use, similar to other condiments that are kept refrigerated, shrubs last 6-8 weeks.

Are shrub drinks healthy? ›

Peach & Rose Classic Shrub

Roses are rich in flavanoids, tannins, antioxidants and vitamins A, B3, C, D and E making them super beneficial to skin care. They are also efficient in cleansing the gallbladder and liver, helping to improve bile secretion and relief from constipation.

What kind of vinegar do you use for shrubs? ›

Vinegar: The majority of shrubs are made with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar. Some use balsamic vinegar. While distilled white vinegar is fine, the extra flavors of the other options are preferred.

Can you drink shrub by itself? ›

Shrubs are mixers, which means they're an ingredient in a drink, not something you would normally drink on its own. Luckily, drinking shrubs are versatile, so they pair well with lots of other ingredients. Overall, we recommend using a 1:5 ratio of shrub to another (or several) ingredient(s).

Do homemade shrubs need to be refrigerated? ›

DO I NEED TO REFRIGERATE MY SHRUBS? Because vinegar is a low pH, acidic preservative you do not need to refrigerate your shrubs. Some people may prefer to enjoy them cold, but they are shelf stable and will be fine in the pantry.

What is the difference between bitters and shrubs? ›

Bitters are made with a pure grain spirit inundated with bittering agents like fruit peels, spices, or funky stuff like bark or cassia. Tinctures act as straight-up botanical, fruit, or vegetable infusions without any bitterness. A shrub adds sugar to fruit juice and uses vinegar to cut the sweetness.

What is the most healthiest drink in the world? ›

Green tea is generally considered the healthiest beverage globally due to its high levels of nutrients and antioxidants that fight off diseases and keep your organ functioning at its optimum level.

Is shrub a probiotic drink? ›

“The beauty of shrubs is not just that they're simple to make at home, and form the basis of beautiful fruity drinks, but that the combination of live, unpasteurised fruit and the probiotic goodness of apple cider vinegar has huge benefits for your gut health.

Is drinking vinegar shrub good for you? ›

One of the most famous drinking shrubs is the apple cider vinegar. The principle behind these is similar to all shrubs, including the ones we make. There are many benefits to apple cider vinegar... It has been known to promote weight loss and stabilise levels of blood sugar.

Can you use frozen fruit in shrubs? ›

Although I'm usually a fan of using fresh ingredients, frozen fruit/berries actually work well and sometimes give a little more juice (don't tell!). I combine the shrub with sparkling water to make a nice soda. It can also be used in co*cktails and salad dressing.

Is it OK to spray vinegar on plants? ›

You have to be careful when spraying it around certain plants as it may be harmful to some, but when used on those pesky hard-to-kill weeds, they will disappear in two to three days' time. Combine a gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt, and a couple tablespoons of dish soap to get the job done.

How to make fruit infused vinegar? ›

Just wash and dry the fruit, add it to the jar and then top with room-temperature vinegar. Let this one infuse in the fridge for 2–3 weeks, then strain out the fruit before using. Roots and aromatics. Ingredients like ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and turmeric are high-reward additions, bringing intense aroma.

How much alcohol is in shrub? ›

Unlike kombucha, there is no alcohol in a shrub, so this makes a great mixer to give to anyone, whether or not they drink alcohol! This will make around 8 oz. of shrub (or enough to make 4 co*cktails). Combine strawberries and sugar in a large measuring cup (like a Pyrex).

Is a shrub the same as kombucha? ›

What is the difference between a shrub and kombucha? In a nutshell, shrubs are fruity concoctions of fruit, sugar, and vinegar without the fermentation process, while kombucha is a fermented tea drink enriched with probiotics, thanks to the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY).

What alcohol is in a shrub? ›

In terms of mixed drinks, shrub is the name of two different, but related, acidulated beverages. One type of shrub is a fruit liqueur that was popular in 17th and 18th century England, typically made with rum or brandy and mixed with sugar and the juice or rinds of citrus fruit.

How long can you store shrub? ›

Our shrubs will keep for 24 months unopened and unrefrigerated (see best by date on bottle). Once you open them, we do recommend keeping them in the fridge. They should be good for another 9-12 months once you open them but let's hope you need more before then!

How long should shrubs last? ›

What is the Average Lifespan of Shrubs? Some people believe their plants and shrubs will live forever, but this is rarely the case. Shrubs usually live around 10 to 15 years before you need to consider new plants.

How do you keep new shrubs alive? ›

New Shrub Care: They're Thirsty

Newly planted shrubs need more water than established shrubs. So keep your new shrub well watered – don't let it dry out completely during its first season. Water it well at planting time then daily for the first two weeks. Then water every two to three days for the first few weeks.

Do co*cktail shrubs need to be refrigerated? ›

co*cktail shrubs also have several other attractive qualities. They are a healthier alternative to premade mixers, as they are made with natural ingredients and have an amazing shelf life. You can store them unrefrigerated and unopened for 18-24 months or 9-12 months once opened and refrigerated.

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