Pistachio Free Classic Apple Shrub
Tart, spiced, and quietly complex, this apple shrub is the kind of homemade pantry staple that makes every drink feel a little more special. The process is beautifully low-effort — diced apples macerate in sugar until they release a naturally sweet syrup, then apple cider vinegar and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are stirred in for a second long rest in the fridge. That slow, cold infusion is what builds the depth here; no cooking required, just patience. Once strained, the finished syrup keeps for up to three months, so you can splash it into sparkling water whenever the mood strikes. Every single ingredient in this recipe is straightforward and easy to source without any concern about cross-contact from tree nuts or shared processing facilities. It's a genuinely crowd-pleasing mixer that works beautifully for both adults and kids, and the warm apple-spice flavor makes it especially irresistible in the fall.
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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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