Blueberry Mint Shrub Cocktail Recipe
July at Christina Maser Co. means we are up to our knees in blueberries. We bring plump, juicy berries picked by local farmers into our kitchen and work a little bit of magic to turn them into pantry staples that will last long after blueberry season passes. One way we transform our blueberries is by making shrub.
So what is shrub? Shrub, or drinking vinegar, is a concentrated fruit syrup made with simple ingredients. We make ours with organic apple cider vinegar, organic cane sugar, and local, sustainably grown fruit. Like other methods of canning and preserving, storing fruit in barrels of sugar was a popular practice of keeping fruit from spoiling in colonial America when refrigeration wasn't available. Over time, the fruit would ferment, resulting in a fruited vinegar or shrub syrup. While their method differed slightly from modern shrub making (we add the vinegar in ourselves), the outcome is virtually the same.
Shrub isn't typically consumed on it's own, as it's very sweet. Instead it creates a refreshing, fresh, fruit-forward beverage mixed seltzer (that you'll be pleased to know kids love too!) or a crowd-pleasing cocktail mixed with your favorite spirit and seltzer or tonic.
For our easy, satisfying Blueberry Shrub cocktail (or mocktail) recipe, read on.
You'll Need:
- Ice cubes
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves (plus 2-3 for an optional garnish)
- 1 oz. dry gin or vodka (omit for a mocktail)
- 1-2 oz. Blueberry Shrub (adjust for your taste preference)
- 4-5 oz. tonic water (substitute with seltzer if you prefer)
To Make the Cocktail:
1. Muddle the mint leaves and blueberry shrub in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add your spirit of choice and ice to above the liquid. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
3. Fill a short glass halfway with ice. An emptied and cleaned Christina Maser Co. candle tumbler works wonderfully here.
4. Strain cocktail over ice. Top with tonic water.
5. Garnish with mint leaves if desired and enjoy!
You can purchase our Blueberry Shrub here.
Have you tried our Blueberry Mint Shrub Cocktail recipe? Leave a comment and let us know how it went. Or, share a photo with us on Instagram and tag us @christina_maser_co.