Shrubs are a great non-alcoholic alternative to a cocktail!
They’re sweet and sour and have a ton of flavors that make them great on their own.
This pear-ginger shrub is particularly invigorating served with club soda or tonic water.
Elana Lepkowski
But that doesnt mean one cant enjoy aflavorful, complex drink.
A shrub, with its sweet and sour profile, is a sophisticated alternative to a boozy cocktail.
What Is a Shrub?
Elana Lepkowski
Shrubs are an old way of preserving fruit in vinegar that has found new life in the cocktail world.
While vinegar has been around for about as long as wine (thousand of years!
Alcohol was introduced to shrubs much later on and is not a necessary component.
Elana Lepkowski
Shrubs have lots of sweet and sour flavors that make for a surprisingly complex drink on their own.
If you want yours to be sweeter or more sour, go ahead and adjust as you see fit!
You want to enjoy what youre drinking.
Elana Lepkowski
How Long Does It Take to Make a Shrub?
There is some advanced planning required when making a shrub.
That can mean an additional few days in the refrigerator too.
What Kind of Pears to Use for a Shrub?
January usually brings an influx of those ubiquitous gold foil-covered pears arriving on my doorstep.
Otherwise, your vinegar can be overpowering, especially with the delicate flavor of pears.
The juicier the pear, the more liquid you’ll end up with.
What Kind of Vinegar to Use for a Shrub?
Here I useapple cider vinegar,which has a mellow acidity.
I use the raw kind that has the mother at the bottom.
If thats not for you, pasteurized apple cider will work just as well!
Storing Your Shrub
This shrub will keep in the refrigerator for up to six months.
Dont worry if a stray fiber or seed gets in; it will all get strained out later.
Pour in the apple cider vinegar and stir to combine.
Seal the jar and refrigerate for 10 days, after which it is ready to use.
The shrub will keep for up to 6 months refrigerated.
Combine 1 ounce of the Pear-Ginger Shrub with 3-4 ounces of chilled club soda.
Stir gently to combine.
