Alpha Gal Friendly Classic Apple Shrub

Total time48 hr 15 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time0 min

4.6

(29)

Tart, spiced, and quietly complex, this apple shrub is the kind of homemade pantry staple that makes every drink feel a little more special. It starts with fresh diced apples macerated in sugar until they release their juices into a fragrant syrup, then apple cider vinegar and warming spices — cinnamon, cloves, and ginger — are stirred in and left to meld for another full day. The result is a concentrated drinking vinegar that's bright and bold with just the right amount of sweetness. For anyone navigating alpha-gal syndrome, finding interesting beverages and mixers can feel limiting, but this one is built entirely from fruit, pantry spices, and vinegar — nothing here to trigger concern. Stir a couple of tablespoons into sparkling water over ice and you have a sophisticated, refreshing drink that feels like something from a craft cocktail bar. It keeps in the fridge for up to three months, so one batch goes a long way toward keeping things interesting at the table.

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Ingredients

8 servings

2 medium apples (about 12 oz), cored and finely diced
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger

For serving

sparkling water, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the diced apples and granulated sugar in a medium bowl and stir well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, until the sugar has fully dissolved into the apple juices and a syrupy liquid has pooled at the bottom of the bowl.
2
Add the apple cider vinegar, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and ground ginger to the bowl and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for another 24 hours to allow the flavors to develop.

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