This is how a shrub is made using the cold-process technique. Although there are no exact measures in this recipe, if you get the ratios right, it is difficult to make a mistake. Although I prefer using fresh ingredients whenever possible, frozen fruit and berries do work nicely and occasionally provide a little bit extra juice (don’t tell!). I produce a tasty soda by combining the shrub with sparkling water. In addition, it can be used in salad dressing and cocktails.
| Prep Time: | 20 mins |
| Additional Time: | 2 days |
| Total Time: | 2 days 20 mins |
| Servings: | 12 |
| Yield: | 1 cup |
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh blackberries – rinsed, drained, and lightly crushed
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, or to taste
- 2 sprigs fresh sage, or to taste
- 1 cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Wash and sterilize a bowl or jar. Add blackberries; cover with sugar. Add thyme and sage. Stir well to combine. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until a pool of juice and syrup forms around the blackberries, 1 to 2 days.
- Remove thyme and sage from the bowl. Place a fine mesh strainer over a separate bowl and pour in blackberry mixture. Press lightly on the solids to expel all the juice.
- Sterilize a glass jar or bottle. Pour in juice and add vinegar. Cover with a lid and shake gently to dissolve any remaining sugar. Let rest until flavors intensify, at least 1 day.
- Use any berries or stone fruit you prefer; if frozen, make sure to let fruit thaw. Strawberries should be hulled and quartered. Stone fruit should be quartered and pitted.
- White granulated sugar provides a neutral sweetness; brown and raw sugars may also be used.
- A number of different types of vinegar can be used as long as it has at least 5% acidity. Distilled white vinegar has more of a clear, sharp flavor, while apple cider vinegar will be milder with a fruity flavor. Wine vinegar will have a superior smooth flavor. Balsamic vinegar is great with cherries and strawberries.
- Feel free to use any herbs you prefer.