• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Delicious Dessert Recipes
    • Sweet Baked Goods
    • Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Homemade Syrups, Condiments, Sauces, etc.
  • Cocktails
    • Gin
    • Vodka
    • Tequila
    • Whiskey/Bourbon
    • Brandy/Pisco
  • Holiday Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Patriotic Recipes
    • Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
  • Easy recipes, cocktail inspiration, and a little bit of fun!
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index

EmilyFabulous

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe

    Published: Jan 23, 2020 · Modified: Nov 9, 2021 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    This Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe is a quick and easy way to add something tangy and delightful to your favorite drink or cocktail. Serve with sparkling water for a refreshing treat or add to your favorite cocktail for an unexpected twist!

    strawberry shrub in a flip top bottle next to fresh strawberries
    Jump to Recipe

    The first time I heard the word "shrub" it was in the ingredients of a delicious cocktail I had at this cool swanky bar in Portland. I asked the bartender what it was and she said "drinking vinegar!" I tried to pretend I knew what she was talking about and then immediately went home and asked Google. To my surprise, there were many recipes out there on how to make this delicious drink. Fast forward 10 years and shrubs are becoming more prevalent in the market. So now I feel like I was ahead of the curve...LOL! It's also been said that drinking vinegar on a regular basis is good for your health. I'm not a doctor or an expert, but it can't hurt, right?!?

    Check out My Web Story HERE!!

    What is a "Shrub"?

    fresh fruit shrub in a bottle being held outside with flowers behind
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!

    A “shrub” is basically an old way of preserving. They are typically a fruit and/or herb-infused syrup, made with fresh ingredients, then fortified with some type of vinegar. The word “shrub” is derived from the Arabic word “sharbah,” which translates to “drink.” Back in the day, people from the 16th-18th century drank shrubs to prevent scurvy. Today, shrubs are infused with all different flavor combinations and some even use them for health benefits. There are some shrubs you can find in stores, also called drinking vinegar. Shrubs can be used in craft cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks.

    Cold vs. Hot Shrub Recipe

    My fresh fruit shrub recipe is a "cold" recipe meaning there is no cooking needed to make this shrub. You are basically macerating fruit with sugar, and then fortifying it with vinegar. The only downside to a cold recipe is that you have to wait a day or two before enjoying your creation. Some recipes are the "hot" or "cooked" version where you boil the fruit with sugar and water, basically making a syrup to add to the vinegar. This is handy if you want to enjoy your shrub immediately but I have heard that you don't get quite as much fresh fruit flavor this way. I haven't tried the hot version yet, mostly because the cold recipe works so well for me I haven't needed to change it.

    What Type of Vinegar to Use

    You can choose from different types of vinegar and that will, of course, change the taste of your finished product. I use an Asian white vinegar called Datu Puti. This vinegar is made from sugarcane and has a rich, slightly sweet flavor. You can also use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, champagne vinegar, or coconut vinegar. I would also suggest trying this recipe for the first time with just berries. I've made strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, and plum shrub so far. They have all been delicious.

    fresh strawberry shrub in a bottle outside

    What Type of Sugar to Use

    You can use white or brown sugar. White sugar will allow the fruit flavor to really come out, while the brown sugar will add a darker flavor. I haven’t tried anything but white sugar yet, but I can imagine brown sugar and strawberries specifically would be a great pairing. You could also try other sweet elements like honey, agave, or maple syrup.

    Save that fruit that's about to go bad!

    Shrubs are a great way to transform fruit that has almost gone bad or is overripe. Since you are adding sugar, transforming the fruit into a juice, and adding vinegar to preserve it, why not? You will have a delicious drink that will keep in your fridge for up to 4-6 weeks instead of throwing away some perfectly usable fruit.

    a bowl of fresh hood strawberries

    The Flavor Combinations are endless!

    There are so many different combinations of fruit and fruit and herbs you could try together, here are a few ideas:

    • Strawberry-Mint
    • Peach-Rosemary
    • Cherry-Almond
    • Blueberry-Vanilla
    • Lime-Ginger
    • Pineapple-Sage

    The sky is the limit when it comes to making unique and tasty flavor combinations for your shrubs. Once you get the process down, you can make whatever you can think of!

    Here are some more cocktail and fresh fruit recipes for you to check out:

    • Gin Elderflower Cocktail Recipe
    • The Last Word
    • Easy Cherry Crumble Bars
    • Fresh Mango Galette
    • Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe
    strawberry shrub in a flip top bottle next to fresh strawberries

    Fresh Fruit Shrub

    This fresh fruit shrub recipe is a quick and easy way to add something tangy and delightful to your favorite drink or cocktail.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Chill Time: 12 hours
    Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 cups
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: EmilyFabulous

    Equipment

    • masher
    • mesh strainer/sieve
    • funnel
    • large glass bottle or jar that seals
    • 2 med-large bowls
    • large measuring cup

    Ingredients

    • 5-6 cups strawberries, washed and hulled (other berries work as well)
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 2 cups vinegar of your choice ( I use Datu Puti, an Asian vinegar)

    Instructions

    • Add the clean fresh fruit and sugar to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a lid, and place it in the fridge overnight.
      strawberries and sugar in a bowl
    • Remove mixture from the fridge. You will notice that the fruit has released its juices naturally and you now have a syrup-like mixture. Mash up the fruit using the back of a spoon or a masher.
    • Over another bowl, strain your syrup mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. You can lightly push on the fruit to squeeze out the juices.
      strawberries and sugar being strained into a bowl
    • Pour the strained syrup into a large measuring cup to see how much liquid you have. I usually end up with about 2 cups. What you measure in syrup is how much vinegar you will add (1:1 ratio). Pour equal amounts of syrup and vinegar into a sealable glass bottle. Seal the container and shake to combine. add the lid and shake. The shrub will last in the fridge in a sealed bottle for 4-6 weeks.
      strawberry shrub in a flip top bottle next to fresh strawberries

    Notes

    • Serving size ¼ cup.
    • The shrub will last in the fridge in a sealed bottle for 4-6 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 26.9g | Calcium: 9mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    fresh strawberry shrub in a bottle
    Click on the image above to PIN to your Pinterest board!

    Did you try this Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe?

    If you make this Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe or any other recipe from my blog I'd love to see and hear about it! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook. You can also follow me on Pinterest or sign up for my email alerts so you never miss a recipe or update!

    More Recipes

    • passion fruit margaritas
      Passionfruit Margarita
    • almond milk orgeat syrup
      Almond Milk Orgeat Syrup
    • air fryer bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers
      Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
    • hibiscus cupcake with a dried hibiscus flower on top
      Hibiscus Cupcakes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen says

      May 01, 2022 at 5:00 am

      Can this recipe be preserved by canning for long term storage?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 01, 2022 at 6:24 pm

        Hi Karen,
        I have not personally done this but I know it can be done. I found an article on mindfood.com that walks through the process. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    2. Laura says

      August 09, 2021 at 10:11 am

      5 stars
      Thank you. Sounds delicious...My question is, does it last for up tp 4-6 weeks, or up to 6 months? The recipe says 4-6 weeks, while the description above says 6 months. Thank you in advance.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        August 09, 2021 at 10:20 pm

        Hi Laura, I’m so sorry! 4-6 weeks is best. I’ll go back and fix that error 😊

        Reply
    3. Jen Talley says

      July 08, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      5 stars
      I really enjoyed learning about shrubs! I'm sending the recipe to my cousin because I think she would LOVE this!

      Reply
    4. Amy says

      July 08, 2020 at 3:54 am

      5 stars
      Wow this is fantastic! A much healthier option too.

      Reply
    5. Marina says

      July 07, 2020 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      I have never tried a fruit shrub before, but I cannot wait to make it. A lovely, refreshing summer drink

      Reply
    6. Chef Dennis says

      July 07, 2020 at 8:16 am

      5 stars
      Never heard of this but I will definitely try this Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe on my drinks!

      Reply
    7. Alexandra says

      July 07, 2020 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea! I had never heard of this before, but I am so excited to give it a try!

      Reply
    8. Robyn says

      July 07, 2020 at 12:28 am

      5 stars
      I have never heard of a fruit shrub before but what a fantastic idea. I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    9. Sara says

      July 07, 2020 at 12:27 am

      5 stars
      What a fab idea! I’ll have mine with a splash or Prosecco plz.

      Reply
    10. Tayo says

      July 06, 2020 at 11:29 pm

      5 stars
      I just learned something new. Can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    11. Sabrina says

      July 06, 2020 at 11:04 pm

      5 stars
      I learned so much reading this! Must try it!

      Reply
    12. Sue says

      July 06, 2020 at 5:11 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic - I have never heard of fruit shrub before. I'll have mine with a little vodka please!!!!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        July 06, 2020 at 5:23 pm

        Great idea, Vodka is a perfect mixer for fruit shrub!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emily! I'm excited to share my passions, experiments, and fun with you. I love to cook, bake, create recipes, mix cocktails and try new things!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • poolish-pizza-dough-round
      Poolish Pizza Dough
    • apple-cider-martinis-ginger-liqueur-and-vodka
      Apple Cider Martini
    • stack of pink crumbl copycat cookies
      Crumbl Cookie Copycat Recipe
    • homemade vanilla vodka in a bottle
      Vanilla Vodka Recipe
    Caraway Home Copper Pot and Pan Set
    March Sale at Caraway Home - Get up to a $100 Gift Card with Your Purchase!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 EMILY FABULOUS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT