Shrub Drinks Are the Secret to Elevated Cocktails and Mocktails—Here's How to Make One

Shrub drinks have surged in popularity among both mixologists and home bartenders over the last decade. It's easy to understand why they've become such a staple of the modern drinks landscape: shrubs are versatile, tangy, refreshing, and effortlessly elevate a wide variety of drinks. But what is a shrub drink, and why has the shrub become such a star ingredient in today's cocktail scene? We spoke to mixologists to find out. They share how easy it is to make shrubs at home and how to use shrubs, whether in classic cocktails or your own creations.

Just What Is a Shrub Drink?

A shrub drink is a syrup made from produce, sugar, and vinegar. This blend creates a sweet, tangy, slightly acidic concoction that can add depth and complexity to cocktails. The term "shrub" comes from the Arabic word "sharāb," which means "to drink."

The History of the Shrub

Shrubs have a fascinating history dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally, they were used to preserve fruit, vegetables, and herbs and to utilize surplus produce. The vinegar helped prevent spoilage, allowing the fruit flavors to be enjoyed long after harvest. Over time, shrubs evolved from a preservation method to a popular beverage ingredient, especially in colonial America, where they were mixed with water or spirits to create refreshing, sweet-tart drinks.

How to Make a Shrub Drink

You only need three simple ingredients to make a shrub recipe:

• Fresh produce: you can use fruit (berries, citrus fruits, and stone fruits work best), vegetables (try beets, pumpkin, celery, or fennel), or herbs
• Sugar: granulated, brown, or a mix
• Vinegar: apple cider, white wine, red wine, and balsamic are all great options

Here's a step-by-step guide to making a shrub:

1. Prepare the produce: Wash it and chop it into small pieces.
2. Add sugar: In a bowl, mix the fruit with an equal amount of sugar. Let it macerate for several hours or overnight, allowing the sugar to draw out the fruit's juices.
3. Strain the mixture: After the maceration process, strain the fruit and discard; collect the syrup.
4. Add vinegar: Mix the syrup with an equal amount of vinegar, stirring until well combined.
   

Storage: Store a homemade shrub in the refrigerator for up to a year—the vinegar is an excellent preservative.

Variations

Once you've got the hang of making a shrub drink, it's time to experiment. You can switch up the types of produce, vinegar, and sugar you use to create unique and diverse flavor profiles.

Swap the vinegar: "Instead of the usual suspects like apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, try using balsamic, sherry, or calamansi vinegar," says Codamon.

Switch the sugar: The type of sugar you use is also important—white sugar will give a more linear sweetness, while brown or palm sugar will give a nice depth and warmth to the shrub, says Laura Unterberg, beverage director at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club. Alternatively, use honey, agave, or maple syrup, suggests Codamon.

Try different fruits and vegetables: Use one fruit or a combination. Also, try using both fresh and cooked fruit, says Codamon, who is a fan of caramelized pineapple in a shrub. Vary the fruits you use with the seasons: Unterberg uses berries in the spring and summer for shrubs to use as the base for a tall drink topped with bubbles. In the fall and winter, she prefers heartier shrubs made with seasonal fruits like fig, blood orange, and concord grape.

Add herbs or spices: They can introduce an extra layer of complexity to your shrub, says Codamon. She recommends fresh dill or basil.

How to Use Shrub Drinks

Shrubs can be used in a variety of cocktails to add a burst of flavor and acidity. They work particularly well in drinks that benefit from a balance of sweet and sour notes.

Best Types of Cocktails for Shrubs

"Any cocktail that requires acidity can be made with a shrub," says Jena Ellenwood, cocktail educator at Dear Irving and Raines Law Room. One simple way to get started with shrubs is to sub them in for lemon or lime juice in classic cocktails:

• Sours: Cocktails like the Whiskey Sour benefit from adding a shrub; it enhances their tartness and depth. Try using a shrub in place of the lime juice in a Margarita.
• Fizzes: A shrub can add a refreshing twist to fizzy cocktails like the Gin Fizz.
• Punches: Shrubs are perfect for large-format drinks, adding complexity and freshness to party punches.

3 Techniques for Incorporating Shrubs

It's very easy to utilize shrubs in cocktails. Here are three simple ways to incorporate them:

• Mix: Add a shrub to your cocktail shaker with the other ingredients and shake or stir as usual.
• Layer: Pour a shrub over the back of a spoon to create visually appealing layers in your drink.
• Float: Add a shrub to a finished cocktail as a float for a burst of flavor with every sip.
  

Tips for Balancing Flavors

• Start small: Begin with a small amount of the shrub and adjust to taste; you can always add more, but it's hard to take away. "Vinegar should never be the starring attraction," says Codamon.
• Use complementary flavors: Pair shrubs with spirits and mixers that complement their flavor profiles. A basil shrub is an excellent complement to botanical spirits like gin; a peach shrub effortlessly blends with the sweetness of bourbon.
• Balance sweetness and acidity: The sweetness of the shrub should balance the acidity to avoid overpowering the cocktail.
  

Using Shrubs in Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Shrubs can be used in non-alcoholic beverages as well as alcoholic ones, making them a flexible and creative option for any bar setup.

• For a refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage, mix a shrub with sparkling water to create a delightful shrub soda.
• Shrubs can be used instead of spirits in mocktail recipes, offering a sophisticated and flavorful alternative for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks.

To make your non-alcoholic drinks more interesting, play around with glassware, ice shape, and effervescence, says Codamom. "Drinking vinegars [aka shrubs] most commonly are topped with seltzer or water for a simple highball, but you can experiment with adding different fruit juices or purées and fresh herbs. Swap seltzer with a flavored tonic water or a non-alcoholic prosecco for a cool twist on a classic spritz."

Now that you know what a shrub drink is and how to make and use it, you can elevate your mixology game and create sustainable, flavorful, and memorable drinks. Cheers!