Shrub Drinks

Project Manager, Consultant, and Designer in Missoula, MT

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What Is A Shrub Drink?

I'm always captivated by how cocktails obtain their names-- as well as after surfing my reasonable share of bar menus, there is one term specifically I've always contemplated: the shrub. What makes a drink a shrub? And also how did this word, which I relate to a clean yard, come to be connected with mixed drinks?

"Shrub" is in fact the name of 2 different alcohol-related drinks, as well as vinegar plays a quite large function in this beverage's history. One kind is a fruit liqueur that was particularly prominent in 17th century England, made with rum or brandy, sugar, fruit and also citrus juice-- though vinegar was utilized rather than citrus to preserve berries in the off-season. This liqueur would after that be blended with flat or carbonated water to develop a mixed drink. The various other sort of shrub is a sweetened vinegar-based syrup that can be used to make a drink-- this is likewise called "alcohol consumption vinegar," and is typically instilled with fruit juice, natural herbs and seasonings.

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