Caffeine Free Classic Apple Shrub
Tart, spiced, and deeply refreshing, this apple shrub is the kind of craft beverage that makes you feel like you're drinking something truly special. A shrub is a drinking vinegar syrup — a centuries-old tradition that layers fruit, sugar, and vinegar into a concentrated base that's endlessly versatile. Diced apples macerate in granulated sugar until they release their natural juices, then warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger steep into the mix for a flavor that's complex without being fussy. The whole process is hands-off and slow, rewarding your patience with a syrup that's bright, tangy, and warmly aromatic. Since every single ingredient here is naturally free of stimulants, it's a genuinely exciting option for anyone who wants a sophisticated, grown-up drink without reaching for coffee, tea, or energy drinks. Stirred into sparkling water over ice, it delivers that satisfying fizzy-drink experience with real depth of flavor. A batch keeps in the fridge for up to three months, so you can sip your way through it all season long.
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Learn more →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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