Rice Free Classic Apple Shrub
Tart, spiced, and quietly complex, this apple shrub is the kind of homemade pantry staple that makes you feel like a serious cook. Fresh diced apples slowly macerate in granulated sugar until they release a gorgeous, syrupy juice, then apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and ground ginger are folded in for a second long rest in the fridge — the patience is absolutely worth it. The result is a concentrated drinking syrup with bright acidity, warm spice, and a depth that no store-bought mixer can touch. Stirred into sparkling water over ice, it becomes an elegant, refreshing drink that feels far more special than the short ingredient list suggests. Because it's built entirely from whole fruit, spices, and pantry staples, there's nothing hidden to worry about — what you see is exactly what goes in. It keeps in the fridge for up to three months, so one batch goes a long way for entertaining or everyday sipping.
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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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