This shrub drink is a delightful pick-me-up made with fresh fruit, sugar and vinegar.

What’s a shrub? In two words: drinking vinegar. Before refrigeration was invented, shrubs were an excellent way to preserve fruit. Fresh fruit was mixed was sugar and fermented over several days creating to create a thick syrup that could then be added to water and cocktails.

Shrubs don’t have to be alcoholic and are certainly not girly. You can finally serve a pretty pink drink that both men and women can enjoy together. Though similar in color, this shrub drink is a far cry from a Cosmopolitan.

The sweetness of fruit and sourness of the vinegar makes a refreshing combination when added to tall glass of seltzer. The tangy flavor in similar to other fermented drinks like kombucha.

A typical shrub cocktail revolves around the syrup. Usually made with fresh fruit, sugar and vinegar, the shrub syrup can be made in a variety of ways. Shrub enthusiasts will first make their own fruit vinegar. That vinegar is then added to a combination of fresh fruit and sugar left to sit out and ferment over a few days. This strawberry rhubarb shrub enlists a less traditional but time-saving technique of cooking the fruit, vinegar and sugar together, rather than waiting a week for fermentation. Add this shrub syrup to an iced glass of seltzer for a thirst-quenching aperitif. Make the shrub syrup up to three days before and store in the fridge. The combination of strawberry and rhubarb is perfect with a botanical gin like Hendrick’s or Magellan in this cocktail.

Quick and Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Shrub Drink  

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup chopped fresh rhubarb
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup sugar
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
4 oz. Hendrick’s gin
24 oz. seltzer
ice
4 mason jars

Directions

Combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for about ten minutes, stirring constantly until the fruit begins to break down. Remove from heat and allow the fruit soak for 15 minutes, stir again

Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the liquid from the pulp and chill in an air-tight container in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

Fill each mason jar with 3-4 medium ice cubes and 1 ounce of the strawberry rhubarb liquid. Then add 1 ounce gin, stir with a spoon and then top off with 4 ounces selzer. Serve with a straw.

Related on Eco Salon

How to Make Your Own Drinking Vinegar 

Raspberry Rhubarb Muffins 

9 Homemade Cocktail Mixers 

Photos by Ally-Jane 

The post Quick and Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Shrub Drink   appeared first on EcoSalon.

Start your cocktail infusions obsession immediately. 

Infusion is one of those words that immediately makes me think of hip bartenders with driving caps and a well kept mustache. Cardamom infused bitters? Why yes, yes I do want that. But infusions are a fairly simple process that can easily be done at home, whether it’s with water, liquor, olive oil or vinegar.

Infused water is an easy, summer concoction that can be put together in a matter of minutes, but if you’re infusing spirits, you’ll want to leave a little more time. The best policy is to do regular taste testing, as some ingredients – like vanilla and hot peppers – can infuse well in less than a day, while others take much longer. In general, you are looking at a few days to a month. After all, the only thing you have to do is strain out the solids and pour into a clean bottle for storage. Then you can start adding to cocktails and mixing to your heart’s content.

From herbs to fruit, you can infuse with just about anything, but here are 10 ingredients that lead to a delicious infusions just about every time.

1. Basil

Basil can work with vodka, gin, whiskey and everything in between. A classic is of course basil infused vodka, which can be used for Bloody Marys, a basil strawberry cocktail and beyond. The herb is also good for infusing in simple syrups. Try it with blackberry and sparkling water.

2. Figs

Fig infused bourbon? That is pretty much the perfect match made in heaven. You can use fresh or dried figs depending on what you have on hand, and drink it on its own or use it for a twist on a bourbon and ginger.

3. Fennel

Adding fennel to vodka will give your drinks a very Scandinavian taste. The distinct flavor of fennel offers the chance to try your hand at more savory cocktails, or just a good fennel vodka on the rocks.

4. Mint

Mint is a go-to classic, as it pairs well with most cocktail combinations and is a nice accent to sweet and savory flavors. Lemon and mint will add a little extra punch to your water, and infuse it into some bourbon and you have the perfect base for a late summer cocktail.

5. Cucumber

A couple of slices of cucumber in a pitcher of water immediately change the look and taste, making staying hydrated much more interesting, and cucumber in gin with a little bit of lemon is the perfect hot afternoon drink. You can even add it to tequila. Cool, refreshing and mixes well with sparkling water.

6. Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is an often forgotten ingredient, but if you like a good citrus flavor you should keep some on hand in your kitchen at all times. Perfect for water and cocktails alike, use it in any drink infusions where you want an additional lemon element, like a lemon verbena lemon drop.

7. Jalapenos

You can never go wrong with a spicy tequila infusion, and jalapenos are the perfect match. Whether you’re making a spicy margarita or drinking it straight, it’s an easy way to ensure you serve a punchy drink.

8. Ginger

Ginger infused rum anyone? It’s no surprise that with it’s extra kick ginger is a favorite for a good infusion. Pair it with lemongrass for a tequila infusion, or with pear in a pitcher of sparkling water.

9. Peach

Bottle up the taste of summer with a peach infusion. Make a peach-infused vinegar, a grilled peach-infused bourbon or a peach and mint iced tea. Perfect for putting an overflow of farmers market peaches to good use.

10. Rosemary

Rosemary works just as well for cocktails as it does for dressing up a bottle of your favorite olive oil. Just be sure to use fresh rosemary sprigs.

Related on EcoSalon:

Sparkling Blackberry and Basil Infusion

10 DIY Cocktail Syrups for Delicious Summer Drinking

Image: Andrew Hyde

The post Infusions: 10 Perfect Ingredients For Delicious Culinary Creations appeared first on EcoSalon.