The Drinking Vinegar That Brightens A Glass
A fruit shrub is a concentrated syrup made with fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with a garden bush. The word describes a sweet-tart mixer that can bring the flavor of berries, peaches, apples, or other fruit into many kinds of drinks. Shrubs were especially popular in colonial America, when cooks used vinegar or spirits to help preserve fruit flavors. The mixture could later be diluted with water or added to punch. Modern cooks have brought shrubs back as versatile ingredients for cocktails and alcohol-free drinks.