Who says that mocktails have to be boring? I’m giving you a sure-fire booze-free cocktail recipe that is anything but the same old, same old club soda with lime. This Berry Shrub Mocktail recipe is the epitome of refreshing.

I have been interested in making shrubs ever since I tried Sage’s Larder Strawberry Shrub and created a cocktail recipe using that shrub and cucumber. I did some research on how to make shrubs and tried my hand at making a delicious Peach Shrub. They have been a staple in my cocktail concoctions ever since.

What is a Shrub?

Shrubs, or drinking vinegars, date back to before refrigeration, People made them as a way to preserve fruits. They would soak ripened fruit and sugar in an acid such as vinegar or in an alcoholic spirit. The result was a tangy syrup that could be used to make a refreshing beverage.

Ingredients in a Fruit Shrub (or Drinking Vinegar):

To me, making a shrub is much like making a fruit infused simple syrup, except the liquid element is vinegar. The ingredients for making a shrub are:

• Sugar: I use plain old granulated sugar
• Vinegar: Such as apple cider, white wine, red wine and even white balsamic
• Fruit: The sky is the limit here. Use fruit that is almost past its prime. Peaches, berries, citrus and more! No moldy fruit though, please.

How to make a shrub:

Shrubs are super easy to whip up. Combine sugar and vinegar in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Then you stir until sugar dissolves. Add berries and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes, until berries are almost cooked down. Next, remove the pan from the heat and let cool to room temperature.

Pour the shrub into a clean glass jar with a lid. Refrigerate for 24 hours or longer. I let mine go for up to a week sometimes.
Then, strain the shrub with a fine mesh strainer. Gently mash the fruit to get all the liquid goodness out! Pour the strained liquid back into a jar and store in the fridge. Shrubs last in the fridge for several weeks and will mellow in flavor over time.

So, next time you have some fruit that you are thinking you will have to throw out, concoct yourself a shrub instead. Let me know if you try it! Cheers!