Recipe by High Plains Spice Company
A shrub is a concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar and vinegar. Shrubs are also referred to as “drinking vinegars” and are most commonly made with apple cider vinegar. Shurbs generally take from one day to 2 weeks for the flavors to combine properly, but they are well worth the wait.
Our Bourbon Cherry Balsamic Shrub Cocktail is full of rich, dark flavors. These flavors combine perfectly with refreshing lemon-lime soda. This unique and delicious cocktail is well worth the 2 weeks it takes to prepare it!
Prep Time: 2 weeks | Cook Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 2 weeks + 5 minutes |
Servings: 6-8
This Recipe is: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal Type:Alcoholic Beverage, Beverages
Cuisine Type: American
Ingredients:
For the Shrub:
- 3 cups pitted and halved sweet cherries
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups Traditional Style Balsamic Vinegar or Cherry Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup honey
For a Single Bourbon Balsamic Cherry Shrub Cocktail:
- 2 oz. Bourbon
- 1 oz. Balsamic cherry shrub
- Lemon-lime soda
- Limes for garnish
Directions:
In a sterile 1-quart jar, muddle together cherries, vanilla bean seeds or vanilla bean paste until cherries are well mashed. In a small saucepan, bring the Traditional Style Balsamic Vinegar or Cherry Balsamic Vinegar to a boil and pour into jar. Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean cloth. Cover the mouth of the jar with plastic wrap then screw on the lid. Refrigerate for 2 weeks. Each day, give the jar a hearty shake, then return to the refrigerator.
After 2 weeks, remove jar from refrigerator. Strain cherry mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a small saucepan. Add sugar and honey. Bring mixture to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely. Once cool, pour shrub into a sterilized jar. Shrub can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
To Make the Bourbon Cherry Shrub Cocktail: Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Shake together bourbon and balsamic cherry shrub. Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a lime slice if desired.