A shrub is a splash of the tasting room in a glass: fruit and vinegar mingled into a bright, refreshing syrup that turns plain seltzer into something special. This one leans on our Peach White Balsamic and fresh strawberries for a sparkling drink that tastes like high summer.
Ingredient Spotlight. Our Peach White Balsamic does double duty here, its clean acidity drawing the flavor out of the berries while its ripe, honeyed peach notes carry the whole shrub. The result is bright and mellow at once, with a luscious finish.
1 cup of fresh strawberries roughly chopped- smashed
Ingredients when serving:
1 cup of fresh strawberries sliced
1 lemon thinly sliced
Fresh mint leaves
8 cups of chilled sparkling water or seltzer water
Instructions
In a 1 liter mason jar or container add the strawberries, pour Peach White Balsamic and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to four hours. The longer it sits, the more pronounced the flavor of the infused fruit will be. Strain, keep in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated up to two months.
To serve, add 1-2 tablespoons of shrub for every 8oz of chilled sparkling water or seltzer water. Add fresh fruit, lemon and mint. Serve chilled over ice.
Chef's Notes
The longer the berries steep, the deeper the flavor. Give it the full four hours when you want a more pronounced, jammy shrub.
Save the strained-out fruit. Spooned over yogurt or ice cream, it's a bright little bonus you won't want to toss.
Make It Yours
Swap the strawberries for raspberries, blackberries, or stone fruit as the season turns.
For a grown-up version, top the shrub and seltzer with a splash of prosecco or a pour of gin.
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