Drinking Vinegars aka "Shrubs" | A Refreshing Healthy Tonic

What is a Drinking Vinegar or Shrub?

Drinking flavored vinegar or what some call shrubs or tonics is not a new trend, in fact, "shrubs" which by definition is "a beverage made by adding acidulated fruit juice to water" have been around since the pre-refrigeration days of the colonial era.  Fruit was preserved in vinegar and mixed with sugar or honey, essentially creating a juice or cordial that could be used to mix in water or alcohol for a simple drink or cocktail.  

Whole Fruits and Aromatic Spices Infused in Non GMO Apple Cider Vinegar For A Healthy Tonic

We started making our finishing vinegars back in 2010 and we follow the same process, we slow infuse fresh whole fruit ingredients in apple cider vinegar, add a bit of sweetness, herbs and aromatic spices and then we patiently wait and allow all the flavors to combine before we bottle.  It's a labor of love but the process is worth it.  The resulting vinegars have a slightly thicker consistency, rich natural fresh flavor, vibrant color and just enough sweetness to balance the acidity.  Our vinegars are not only served as a tonic for cocktails and seltzer but can be used as a healthy salad dressing for your everyday lunch greens.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and Spices in Shrubs

We use real non gmo USA sourced apple cider vinegar in our line so when you taste our vinegars or "shrubs", you will notice the difference - they have a wonderfully refreshing vinegar kick which is what you want in a shrub, you don't want it to taste like kool-aid or a sugar laden cordial.  Apple cider vinegar has been shown to have a number of health benefits including:

  • enhancing weight loss
  • stabilizing blood sugars
  • lowering cholesterol
  • maintain alkaline ph
  • promotes detoxification of the liver
  • eases digestion
  • fights free radicals to reduce aging                                      

Additional Health Benefits of Drinking Vinegar

With the infusion of whole fresh fruits, aromatics and herbs in our drinking vinegars, you are not only gaining the benefits of apple cider vinegar but you benefit from all the vitamins and antioxidant properties in the spices we use.  For example, take our Spiced Strawberry Rhubarb Vinegar - made with farm fresh strawberries, local garden rhubarb and spices including cinnamon, bay leaf, star anise and orange peel.  All those wonderful herbs, spices and fresh fruit ingredients are packed with vitamins and minerals.  Mix this in your seltzer water instead of chemical flavorings for a refreshing summer mocktail and know you are getting a variety of antioxidant benefits.  Did you know cinammon has the highest antioxidant property of all the spices and that star anise is known to fight off influenza?  Bay leaf is packed with Vitamin A, C, manganese, potassium and iron and strawberries are full of anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting properties!   I say, drink up!

Simply Mix 1 Part Drinking Vinegar with 3 Parts Seltzer 

We have created a number of recipes that use our drinking vinegars in both cocktails and mocktails but they are easily enjoyed by mixing 1 part drinking vinegar to 3 parts seltzer water or adjust to your desired taste.  You can choose from a variety of seltzer flavors and just serve over ice.  Our newest addition to our vinegar line is our Grapefruit Juniper and Honey Vinegar made with whole juicy Texas grapefruit, juniper berries and orange blossom honey - it's just perfect on a hot summers day over ice with seltzer water or mixed in a tequila paloma.  For a quick health boost, you can take a shot of it!

Get Creative and Make Your Own Drinking Vinegars or Shrubs

You can make your own drinking vinegars at home quite easily but the process isn't quick. We infuse our vinegars for up to 12 weeks, but if you got time on your side, it's actually quite easy and fun, especially during the summer months when fresh fruits and berries are at their peak of ripeness.  You can cook the ingredients on the stove top by combining fresh cut fruits and spices together in a honey or sugar syrup, strain off your spices and fruit pulp and then add your apple cider vinegar.  You can also infuse the ingredients cold, let steep and keep in the refrigerator.  You don't have to use apple cider vinegar, I don't recommend white vinegar but some people use champagne vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, etc.  You can experiment with whatever flavor combinations intrigue you and you can play around with a variety of wild herbs to create your own health benefiting tonics.  It's actually a great hobby and will put your herb garden to good use!

If you don't have the time to create your own, take a chance and try ours!  You won't be disappointed and like I said earlier, you can mix them into a variety of drinks or simply drizzle over your favorite salad greens. 

 

Our Drinking Vinegar Flavor Combinations Include:

1.  Spiced Strawberry Rhubarb Vinegar Shrub - the taste of grandma's strawberry pie in a bottle!  Fresh picked strawberries and local garden rhubarb infused in apple cider vinegar with warm aromatic spices including cinnamon, star anise and orange peel. 

2. Grapefruit Juniper & Honey Vinegar Shrub - fresh juicy Texas grapefruit packed with vitamin c infused in apple cider vinegar with floral orange blossom honey and juniper berries.  A complex refreshing and vibrant vinegar perfect over ice with seltzer water or drizzled over an arugula and goats cheese salad!

3.  Spiced Pear Ginger Vinegar Shrub - fresh handcut pears are infused in apple cider vinegar with fresh peppery ginger and spices.  This is one of my favorite drinking vinegars when mixed with vanilla seltzer!  It also makes a delicious white rum cocktail and is fantastic drizzled over a salad of spinach, grilled chicken, gorgonzola and candied walnuts.

4. Cranberry Saffron Vinegar Shrub - New England cranberries infused in apple cider vinegar with cinnamon, orange peel, bay leaf and velvety saffron.  This antioxidant packed shrub is just perfect in winter drinks and holiday sparklers.  Try with seltzer water and a splash of fresh orange juice for a cranberry orange fizz.  Drizzle over a salad of spinach, candied pecans and goats cheese for a delicious fall salad. 

 

 Grapefruit Juniper Honey Drinking Vinegar | Wozz! Kitchen Creations

 

Check out our entire line of slow infused drinking vinegars here

 Gourmet Vinegars | Drinking Vinegars | Wozz! Kitchen Creations

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