Gut Friendly Classic Apple Shrub

Total time48 hr 15 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time0 min

4.6

(29)

Apple cider vinegar is one of those ingredients that gut-health enthusiasts keep coming back to, and this drinking shrub puts it front and center in the most refreshing way possible. The process is beautifully simple — diced apples macerate in sugar until they release a naturally sweet syrup, then cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are stirred in and left to meld into something genuinely complex. That slow, cold infusion over 48 hours means no heat is applied, so the vinegar retains all the qualities that make it a go-to for digestive wellness. The result is a tangy, lightly spiced concentrate that you stir into sparkling water for a drink that feels fancy but takes almost zero active effort. Ginger and cinnamon bring their own soothing, warming notes to the mix, making every sip feel intentional rather than just tasty. Keep a jar in the fridge and you have up to three months of easy, gut-friendly refreshment on demand — no store-bought kombucha required.

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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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