shrubdrinks

What Is A Shrub Drink?

I’m always intrigued by how alcoholic drinks obtain their names— and after surfing my reasonable share of bar menus, there is one term specifically I’ve constantly considered: the shrub. What makes a beverage a shrub? And also how did this word, which I associate with a well-groomed yard, become associated with cocktails?

“Shrub” is really the name of two various alcohol-related refreshments, as well as vinegar plays a pretty huge function in this drink’s history. One kind is a fruit liqueur that was particularly preferred in 17th century England, made with rum or brandy, sugar, fruit as well as citrus juice— though vinegar was utilized rather than citrus to protect berries in the off-season. This liqueur would then be mixed with flat or carbonated water to develop a cocktail. The various other kind of shrub is a sweetened vinegar-based syrup that can be used to make a drink— this is additionally called “drinking vinegar,” and is usually instilled with fruit juice, herbs and also seasonings.