Cranberry Shrub Soda
A shrub is fruit syrup with vinegar, and it is the secret to alcohol-free drinks that do not taste like juice: the acid gives the same bite a cocktail has. This one is a fall classic gone sparkling. Make the shrub a week ahead and it only gets better.
What you'll need
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 0.5 cup sugar
- 0.5 cup water (120 ml)
- 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar (120 ml)
- 1 strip of orange peel
- 1.5 oz cranberry shrub (45 ml)
- 5 oz sparkling water (150 ml)
- orange peel and cranberries
How to make it
Simmer the cranberries, sugar, water and orange peel for 10 minutes until the berries have burst.
Mash gently and strain through a fine sieve, pressing the fruit. Stir in the vinegar and chill.
Fill a glass with ice, add the shrub and top with sparkling water. Stir once.
Glass: Highball glass. Garnish: An orange peel twist and a few cranberries.
Chef's secrets
Cider vinegar with 'the mother' tastes the most rounded.
Taste after adding the vinegar; add a teaspoon of sugar if it bites too hard.
Good to know
The shrub keeps in the fridge for two weeks. Mix the drinks to order.