Citric Acid Free Classic Pineapple Shrub
Shrubs — those old-fashioned drinking vinegars — are having a serious comeback, and this pineapple version is one of the most refreshing ways to enjoy one. The process is beautifully simple: fresh pineapple and sugar are gently coaxed into a syrup, then finished with apple cider vinegar and a pinch of kosher salt to create a concentrate that's bright, tangy, and deeply tropical. For anyone avoiding citric acid, store-bought fruit drinks and flavored sodas can be a minefield of hidden additives, making a homemade shrub like this one a genuinely smart alternative. Apple cider vinegar delivers that necessary tartness without any synthetic acidulants, so you get all the zing with none of the worry. After a 24-hour rest in the fridge, the flavors meld into something that tastes far more complex than the short ingredient list suggests. Just splash a couple of tablespoons into sparkling water over ice and you have a drink that feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough to keep stocked all week. It also keeps for up to four weeks in the refrigerator, so one batch goes a long way.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into ½-inch chunks
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
For serving
- sparkling water, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Combine the pineapple chunks and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir to coat the fruit, then let the mixture sit at room temperature for 10 minutes until the sugar begins to dissolve and the pineapple releases some juice.
- 2
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture just comes to a gentle simmer, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat immediately — do not boil vigorously.
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