Rhubarb Shrub Recipe
A simple shrub recipe using rhubarb or any other fruit. Delicious added to cocktails or sparkling water. An old way of preserving the essence and flavor of fruit!
How to Make the Best Rhubarb Shrub
A shrub is one of the oldest ways to preserve the bright, tangy essence of fresh fruit—and this rhubarb shrub is a perfect introduction to the craft. Dating back to colonial America, shrubs were created as a way to capture seasonal fruit flavors long before refrigeration existed. The result is a sweet-tart drinking vinegar that adds incredible depth to cocktails and mocktails alike.
The magic of a shrub happens over time. You’ll start by macerating fresh rhubarb with sugar, which draws out the fruit’s natural juices over several days. Once strained and mixed with vinegar, the flavors continue to develop and harmonize in the refrigerator. While you can use it right away, patience rewards you with a more complex, balanced flavor.
This versatile mixer is perfect for adding a splash to sparkling water for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, or use it to elevate your favorite cocktails—it pairs beautifully with gin, vodka, or bourbon. Once you’ve mastered rhubarb, experiment with strawberries, peaches, or any seasonal fruit that catches your eye.
Rhubarb Shrub
A simple shrub recipe using rhubarb or any other fruit. Delicious added to cocktails or sparkling water. An old way of preserving the essence and flavor of fruit!
Ingredients
Rhubarb Shrub
Instructions
Making the Shrub
- Mix the rhubarb and granulated sugar in a small bowl, cover and place in the fridge for 4-5 days, stirring every 12 hours.
- Strain the liquid, pressing down hard on solids.
- Mix the rhubarb syrup with vinegar and pour into a lidded jar and refrigerate.
- You can use it immediately, but after a week, the flavors will deepen, meld, and harmonize. Add to cocktails or sparkling water.
Notes
- A shrub is a drinking vinegar that dates back to colonial times as a way to preserve fruit before refrigeration.
- Try substituting rhubarb with berries, stone fruits, or other seasonal produce.
- The shrub will keep refrigerated for several months.
- For cocktails, use 1-2 tablespoons per drink. For sparkling water, adjust to taste.
