Paraben Free Classic Berry Shrub
Tart, fruity, and just a little funky in the best possible way, this berry shrub is a drinking vinegar syrup that belongs in every home fridge. Fresh mixed berries are slowly macerated with sugar until they release a gorgeous, jewel-toned syrup, then brightened with apple cider vinegar for a complex, old-fashioned flavor that's genuinely hard to stop sipping. The whole thing comes together with just four clean, straightforward ingredients — no preservatives, no synthetic additives, nothing you can't pronounce. That matters a lot when you're navigating parabens, since they sneak into far more packaged beverages and flavored syrups than most people realize. Making your own shrub at home puts you completely in control of what goes into the glass. Splash it over sparkling water with a handful of ice and a sprig of fresh mint, and you've got a sophisticated, refreshing drink that feels like something from a craft cocktail bar. It keeps in the fridge for up to four weeks, so one batch goes a long, satisfying way.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 2 cups fresh mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries), hulled and halved if large
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
For serving
- sparkling water, for serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the berries and sugar in a medium bowl. Use a muddler or the back of a fork to crush the berries thoroughly, releasing their juice and working the sugar into the fruit until a wet, jammy mixture forms.
- 2
Stir in the kosher salt, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a glass jar. Refrigerate for at least 48 hours, stirring or shaking once or twice, until the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture has released a deep, syrupy liquid.
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