Apple Shrub Recipe

Name: Apple Shrub
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 apples (shredded); 2 inches fresh ginger (peeled and chopped); 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 3/4 cup water; 1/3 cup sugar of choice (more or less depending on how sweet you like things - I used swerve); For Serving: sparkling water (soda water or prosecco)

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Prepare for love at first sip with this Apple Shrub Recipe! You are going to love the sweet and tangy flavor. It is refreshing, and so satisfying.

Photo of two glasses of an apple shrub recipe surrounded by lemons and apples.

Have you ever heard of a shrub?

Until a few years ago, I thought a shrub sounds like something you would plant in your yard.

It turns out, it is also a fun drink to make with fresh fruit.

It is a fun elixir that is the perfect way to liven up your sparkling water and give an extra punch of flavor to sparkling wine if alcoholic drinks are more your thing.

The idea of drinking vinegar might seem odd, but if you like kombucha, this is something you are going to go wild for. The combination of fruit sugar and vinegar is magical.

With fall just around the corner, this Apple Shrub is the perfect way to mix up your drink game and enjoy the best flavors of the season.

Ingredients for Making This Apple Shrub Recipe

Apples: You can use any apple you like. Using two different types is also an option.
Ginger: I recommend using fresh ginger. You can store leftover ginger in the freezer.
Apple Cider Vinegar: I typically use Bragg’s. If you would like to play with the vinegar, red wine vinegar or white vinegar can be used.
Lemon Juice: Fresh squeezed lemon juice will yield the best taste.
Sweetener: I have been staying away from sugar lately, so I used Swerve. Whatever sweetener you want to use works. Brown sugar or white sugar are options.
Sparkling Water or Prosecco: Combine it with sparkling water or prosecco for an adult beverage just before you are ready to serve.

Tips & Tricks

Feel free to play with this apple cider vinegar shrub recipe and make it your own. If you want more vinegar, go for it. Likewise, if you prefer a fruiter drink, you can do that too.
Fresh herbs, like mint, can add a more complex flavor. Herbs and spices are a fun way to mix up the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a shrub?

A shrub is a vinegar-based syrup that can be added to alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

They are a fun way to get creative because the flavor pairings are near-endless.

What does shrub syrup taste like?

Done well, a shrub is balanced and refreshing. Vinegar is surprisingly good at quenching your thirst because it stimulates salivation.

They are a blend of sweetness and tartness that is especially appealing to adults.

Tools Needed to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Shrub

Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
Saucepan

Storage

Store this in the refrigerator for up to one week.

How to Make Apple Shrub

First, start by shredding the apples and ginger. You will want to peel the ginger, but peeling the apples is optional.

Place them in a mason jar that has a tight-fitting lit.

In a saucepan, heat the vinegar, lemon juice, water, and sweetener. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sweetener is dissolved.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Pour the vinegar mixture over the apple and ginger. Refrigerate for 5 days.

Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Apple Shrub

When you are looking for a refreshing drink, this Apple Shrub is perfect!

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: drinks

Servings:

Calories: 33kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

2 apples shredded
2 inches fresh ginger peeled and chopped
1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
¼ cup lemon juice
¾ cup water
⅓ cup sugar of choice more or less depending on how sweet you like things - I used swerve
For Serving: sparkling water soda water or prosecco

Instructions

Place the shredded apple and ginger in a jar with a tightly fitting lid.
Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, water, and sweetener in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sweetener dissolves.
Remove from heat, and allow to cool to room temperature.
Pour over the apple ginger mixture. Refrigerate for 5 days.
Strain through a fine metal sieve and keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, covered.
To serve, add 2 tablespoons of the shrub syrup to 8 ounces of sparkling water, soda water, or prosecco.

Notes

Note that nutritional information uses swerve and deducts the sugar alcohols from the total. It includes the apples, which are not actually consumed so it is not entirely accurate.

Nutrition