Shrubs — otherwise known as a drinking vinegars — are great special ingredients to have around — especially for low ABV or non-alcoholic mocktails. You can make them with any fruit you have handy — the riper the better. And you can experiment with which vinegar you use (try apple cider, white, even balsamic!). I’m loving strawberry shrub made with apple cider vinegar combined with gin & soda or blueberry shrub with rosé and lime for a summery wine spritzer. I’ve also been trying to lay off the sauce a bit and have found it nice to have a shrub + soda with a pretty garnish in-hand. It makes me feel like I’m winding down the night in style.

Any Berry Shrub

2 pints berries of your choice
1½ cups sugar
1 cup vinegar

Mash berries and sugar together in a bowl. I used a potato masher! Cover and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring a few times.

Strain into a jar, making sure to add any of the residual sugar on the bottom of the bowl to the syrup.

Add vinegar to syrup and stir to combine. Add more sugar or vinegar to taste. The mixture should be tart AND sweet.

Store in a clean jar in the fridge. Keeps for up to 6 months.