So I am still trying to get back into the swing of things after a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles for BlogHer16. I feel like I have a mountain of pictures to sort, posts to write and emails to return. I am slowly chipping away at my to-do list, but as I am in the process of getting organized and settled back into the real world I have a recipe to share with you. Homemade Fruit Shrub Soda. And this is because I am trying to wean myself off all the soda I drank in California.
I made Cranberry Shrub back in February and I ended up with quite a few people inquiring about what other fruit can be used. But first, let me just quickly explain what a shrub beverage is.
Shrub is a beverage made with a sweetened vinegar, and while that may sound unappealing, hear me out………..
Vinegar and water are boiled with sugar, fruit and spices, in this case cloves, then muddled and strained into a sweetened flavored simple syrup. Topped with water or seltzer, shrub is often used as a base for handmade soda. And as someone who is trying to wean off a bad cola habit, I welcome anything flavored, fizzy and somewhat sweet.
I made a batch of blueberry and a batch of pear for this fruit shrub soda but any type of fruit can be used. Apples, grapes, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, grapefruit – well you get the idea. Have fun and experiment. What kind of fruit shrub soda are you going to make?
Homemade Fruit Shrub Soda
A delicious way to get your cola fix without the chemicals of commercial soda.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh fruit of your choice,, washed and minced if needed (you want bite-sized pieces)
- 2/3 cup water
- 4 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 3 whole cloves
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a deep pot and bring to a boil.
- Once the mixture starts to boil, reduce heat and cover.
- Simmer for about 10-15 minutes. (if using berries, this will be the point just before the berries begin to collapse)
- Remove from heat and cool about 20 minutes.
- Press the mixture through a fine strainer into a container and store in the refrigerator about 2 hours.
- Divide the mix up between two cocktail glasses filled with ice, top with seltzer water or club soda.
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Helen Corbin
Thursday 18th of August 2016
Very interesting. I wonder how it would be using apple cider vinegar?