Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Peach Shrub
Ripe summer peaches, a little sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of ginger — that's genuinely all it takes to make something that tastes like it came from a craft beverage bar. A shrub is a drinking vinegar syrup, and this one is as old-school as it gets: no shortcuts, no concentrates, just real fruit slowly macerating in sugar before the vinegar works its magic over a couple of days in the fridge. The result is a tangy, floral, deeply peachy syrup that you splash into sparkling water or use as a cocktail mixer whenever the mood strikes. For anyone watching out for synthetic dyes, this is a genuinely clean pour — every drop of that gorgeous amber color comes straight from the peaches themselves, nothing added. Store-bought sodas and flavored mixers are notorious for sneaking in artificial coloring, so making your own shrub puts you fully in control of what's going into the glass. The two-day process sounds involved, but the hands-on time is minimal — mostly just stirring, waiting, and straining. Once you have a bottle chilling in the fridge, you're one splash away from the most refreshing drink of the season.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 1 ½ lbs ripe peaches (about 4 medium), pitted and diced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the diced peaches and sugar in a large glass jar or non-reactive bowl. Use a muddler or fork to crush the peaches lightly, releasing their juice and coating them thoroughly with the sugar.
- 2
Stir in the kosher salt and the grated ginger, if using. Cover the jar or bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring once halfway through, until the sugar has fully dissolved and the peaches have released a generous amount of syrupy liquid.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!