A few weeks back my daughter and I were watching Kelsey Nixon on the Cooking Channel, and quickly became intrigued by a Blackberry Sipping Vinegar she prepared.
This deliciously intense drink, also known as a blackberry shrub or fruit shrub syrup, is essentially a fruit syrup, preserved with vinegar and mixed with water or alcohol to make a tangy, refreshing beverage.
After a bit of research I have learned that these drinking vinegars were popular during Colonial America as a way to capture the freshness of seasonal fruits. They seem to be back in vogue on cocktail menus when served with Vodka. Also, served to guests during a meal, these sipping vinegars will aid with digestion. If you have a friend whose dinner parties often leave your belly rumbling, you might want to consider bringing a batch of homemade fruit shrub as a hostess gift. Pretty sneaky!
Making a sipping vinegar is a multi-day process, but is rather simple and well worth the effort.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups blackberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Step 1: Mash the blackberries and sugar together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Add the vinegar to the macerated blackberries and refrigerate for another day.
Step 3: Press the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, discarding the solids.
Step 4: Transfer your sipping vinegar to a container and enjoy for weeks to come.
This recipe can be made with so many different fruits. I’m sure to be making cherry and cranberry varieties in the very near future.
Shrubs and sipping vinegars can be served in a variety of ways. You can serve them in small glasses to be sipped straight, but my preferred method is to put 1/4 cup of the shrub mixture into a glass and top with ice and club soda. I like to garnish with a couple of fresh berries. You can optionally add a splash or two of Vodka to the glass.
Blackberry Shrub
Ingredients
- 2 cups blackberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Mash the blackberries and sugar together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days, stirring occasionally.
- Add the vinegar to the macerated blackberries and refrigerate for another day.
- Press the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, discarding the solids.
- Transfer your sipping vinegar to a container and enjoy for weeks to come.
I’ve never heard of a sipping vinegar so I appreciate the explanation. I probably would have gulped it down before realizing it’s sweetened vinegar 😛
GORGEOUS photos! And, a yummy sounding drink. 🙂
I LOVE blackberries so this sounds delicious!
I’m always looking for new drinks to try. This looks delicious! I think I would enjoy the tangy flavor, and my husband would, too!
i have never heard of this. i bet it also has great health benefits along with the party appeal.
Wow, I swear you learn something new everyday!! Thanks so much, I want to see how this tastes.
Ok, this just sounds pretty fabulous. I could probably handle making it too!
This actually sounds delicious to me – I love apple cider vinegar… and am intrigued by the idea of mixing it with fresh fruit. We will definitely have to try this out very soon!
I have heard that drinking Apple Cider vinegar is very healthy! I would drink this drink. I bet the Blackberry vinegar drink tastes delicious! I will have to try it!
I’m not familiar with shrub sipping vinegars, but that drink looks divine!I know how good apple cider vinegar is for you, so I’m going to try this soon!