Shrubs

Shrubs?

What the heck are shrubs?

Good question!

Shrubs are vinegar, sugar, and fruit macerations that work as soda bases with seltzer or as flavor ingredients for cocktails. They were big in the 90s - the 1790s. According to Wikipedia they were also known as "drinking vinegars." Up until a few days ago I had never even heard of a shrub. Now, they're available at K&L.

Shrub & Co. is a new adventure for us here in the cocktail department because it's the first time we've really been excited about something without alcohol in it. We normally just focus on the booze. However, these tangy, tart, and intensely flavorful "drinking vinegars" really captured the hearts of our K&L staff members and everyone wanted to have some around. So they're on the shelf.

What do you do with them?

You add them to soda water and make non-alcoholic aperitifs. Or you go to the Shrub & Co. website that I linked above and check out some of their cocktail recommendations. I'm going to take these home tonight and give 'em a whirl. Here's what we've got for you right now:

Shrub & Co. Grapefruit Shrub 16oz. $19.99

Shrub & Co. Spicy Ginger Shrub 16oz. $19.99

Shrub & Co. Tart Apple Shrub 16oz. $19.99

This recipe from the website sounds delicious:

Harvest Gold

2 oz bourbon whiskey

.75 oz Tart Apple Shrub
.5 oz fresh lemon juice

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake well and serve in a cocktail coupe with a twist of lemon.

-David Driscoll

David Driscoll