{"id":44999,"date":"2015-10-30T11:15:08","date_gmt":"2015-10-30T15:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=44999"},"modified":"2021-05-14T05:20:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T09:20:37","slug":"healthy-cocktail-shrub-drink-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/healthy-cocktail-shrub-drink-recipes\/","title":{"rendered":"The Healthy Cocktail Ingredient For You to Try"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We all love a good cocktail but when your mojito is loaded with more sugar than a Snickers bar<\/a>, it can leave you feeling blah. That\u2019s why more bartenders are ditching simple syrup in favor of shrubs. Nope, we\u2019re not talking about the bushes sitting in your front yard \u2014 but rather the latest ingredient taking the bar world by storm. \u201cShrubs are vinegar-based syrups you can use to flavor cocktails,\u201d says Dean Feddaoui, head bartender at LILT Lounge<\/a> at the EPIC Hotel in Miami, FL. \u201cBack in the day, especially in Caribbean areas where there was no refrigeration, soaking fruit in vinegar was a way to preserve the fruit,\u201d he explains. That conservation method is now reemerging in a way that will delight both your tastebuds and be kinder to your body.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> How Many Calories Are in Your Cocktail? [Infographic]<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people are trying to stay away from [added] sugar,\u201d says Feddaoui. That\u2019s inspired a surge of alternatives to sugar-based simple syrups. Shrubs sweeten your sips with fructose, or fruit\u2019s natural sugar<\/a>, rather than relying on sucrose, aka table sugar. \u201cThe vinegar releases the sweetness of the fruit, which then dilutes the vinegar\u2019s acid a little bit,\u201d says Feddaoui. \u201cAlso, the cocktail world is always looking for new, interesting things to do.\u201d Translation: Serve up a shrub-based cocktail at your next party and you\u2019ll be sure to impress any guests.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>The Bitter Truth About Sugar and Its Effects on Our Health<\/a><\/p>\n

How to DIY Your Own Shrubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are two main components to the healthiest shrubs: fruit and vinegar. That means whipping them up on your own is easy enough \u2014 but there are still a few shrub saboteurs you\u2019ll want to avoid. \u201cThe most common mistake when making shrubs is not choosing fruits carefully,\u201d says Feddaoui. The first thing to look for is sweetness. \u201cYou need the natural sweetness of the fruit itself to flavor the syrup,\u201d says Feddaoui. In other words, if you\u2019re going for an autumn-inspired fall drink, nix the Granny Smith Apples and opt for sweeter varieties like Gala instead.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>9 Autumn-Inspired Cocktail Recipes Under 200 Calories<\/a><\/p>\n

The ideal fruit for shrubs will be super ripe, because that hints at high water content. \u201cThe fruit needs to have enough water in it to swell with vinegar,\u201d says Feddaoui. In addition to choosing fruits that explode with juice when you bite into them, be sure they explode with flavor, too. \u201cIf the fruit isn\u2019t ripe enough, it may not have enough water or sweetness,\u201d says Feddaoui. Strawberries are his favorite fruit for shrubs, but he\u2019s also a fan of peaches, mangos, raspberries and blackberries.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to reach for the right vinegar. Feddaoui suggests picking up white balsamic vinegar, champagne vinegar, or rice wine vinegar. \u201cThey have enough acidity to allow the fruit to express its flavor, but their pH levels aren\u2019t high enough to overwhelm the sweetness,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>How Bad Is Your Happy Hour? Try This Alcohol Calculator<\/a><\/p>\n

Even better: Shrubs are totally customizable. You can even experiment with adding herbs and spices you think would mix well with the other flavors. And while some recipes do call for sugar (like the options below), you don\u2019t have to use it at all. You can opt for a natural sweetener like stevia or just cover two to three cups of chopped or crushed fruit with just enough vinegar to completely coat it, then refrigerate for two days, says Feddaoui. If the end result is too tart, sweeten it afterwards to suit your tastes.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got the hang of it, you can experiment with whichever fancy shrubs-based concoctions you dream up. But first, try these recipes from Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n

\"Healthy
Photo courtesy of Poste Modern Brasserie<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Park Cocktail Recipe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Courtesy of <\/em>Poste Modern Brasserie<\/em><\/a> at the Hotel Monaco, Washington D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shrub serves 4, cocktail serves 1<\/i><\/p>\n

Ingredients
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For the peach shrub:
\n<\/em>2 medium, ripe yellow peaches
\n1 cup white sugar (optional)
\n.5 cup white wine vinegar<\/p>\n

For the cocktail:
\n<\/em>1.5 ounces Maker\u2019s Mark bourbon
\n1 ounce peach shrub (recipe below)
\n1 ounce Dolin Blanc vermouth
\n4 ounces soda water
\nDehydrated peach slices
\nThyme sprigs<\/p>\n

Preparation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. For the shrub:<\/strong> Dice peaches and combine with sugar.<\/li>\n
  2. Cover and allow to rest for two days. Add vinegar, cover and allow to rest for two more days.<\/li>\n
  3. Keep peach solids submerged under liquid to avoid molding.<\/li>\n
  4. Strain out solids and use or refrigerate in a sealed container.<\/li>\n
  5. For the cocktail:<\/strong> Combine all ingredients in a stemless wine glass.<\/li>\n
  6. Quickly stir drink to incorporate all ingredients.<\/li>\n
  7. Serve with ice and garnish with dehydrated peach slice and thyme sprigs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Healthy
    Photo courtesy of Outpost at the Goodland Hotel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Spoon Fight Cocktail Recipe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Courtesy of <\/em>Outpost at the Goodland Hotel<\/em><\/a>, Santa Barbara<\/em>, California<\/em><\/p>\n

    Shrub serves 4, cocktail serves 1<\/i><\/p>\n

    Ingredients
    \n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    For the bell pepper saffron shrub:
    \n<\/em>3 cups chopped red bell pepper
    \n3 cups sugar (optional)
    \n1 teaspoon Spanish saffron
    \n18 ounces distilled white vinegar
    \n6 ounces rice wine vinegar<\/p>\n

    For the cocktail:
    \n<\/em>1.5 ounces     Sotol por Siempre
    \n<\/a>.5 ounce bell pepper saffron shrub (recipe below)
    \n1 ounce fresh pineapple juice
    \n1 dash habanero bitters
    \n1 dash orange bitters
    \nRosemary sprigs<\/p>\n

    Preparation<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. For the shrub:<\/strong> Put bell peppers and saffron in large plastic container and cover fully with sugar.<\/li>\n
    2. Cover container and let sit 24 hours at room temperature, or until mixture has a syrup-like consistency.<\/li>\n
    3. Stir well and add both vinegars, stirring until all the sugar is dissolved.<\/li>\n
    4. Cover and let sit another 24 hours.<\/li>\n
    5. Strain out solids and use or refrigerate in a sealed container.<\/li>\n
    6. For the cocktail:<\/strong> Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake with ice.<\/li>\n
    7. Double strain into a small vintage cocktail glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig balanced on the rim.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \"Healthy
      Photo courtesy Jsix<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Pineapple Express Cocktail Recipe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Courtesy of <\/em>Jsix<\/em><\/a> at the Hotel Salomar in San Diego, California<\/em><\/p>\n

      Shrub serves 4, cocktail serves 1<\/i><\/p>\n

      Ingredients<\/h3>\n

      For the pineapple habanero shrub:
      \n<\/em>2 cups diced pineapple
      \n<\/span>2 cups sugar
      \n<\/span>Equal parts apple cider vinegar
      \n<\/span>3 sliced habanero peppers<\/span><\/p>\n

      For the cocktail:
      \n<\/em>1 ounce pineapple habanero shrub (recipe below)
      \n.5 ounce Gancia Americano
      \n1.5 ounces Espolon Tequila
      \nPineapple chunks<\/p>\n

      Preparation<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. For the shrub:<\/strong> Cover pineapple with sugar for two days.<\/li>\n
      2. Stir and strain out fruit.<\/li>\n
      3. Add equal parts apple cider vinegar to amount of juice.<\/li>\n
      4. Add 3 sliced habanero peppers, cover with sugar for two days.<\/li>\n
      5. Strain out solids and use or refrigerate in a sealed container.<\/li>\n
      6. For the cocktail:<\/strong> Pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake with ice.<\/li>\n
      7. Double strain into a rocks glass full of fresh ice.<\/li>\n
      8. Garnish with a pineapple chunk.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        This new cocktail trend makes it even easier to indulge without overdoing it. Plus, it’s easy enough to do at home. Your drinks just got a delicious upgrade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,9],"tags":[28,36,44,51,347,415],"class_list":["post-44999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-healthy","category-recipes","tag-alcohol","tag-cocktails","tag-drinks","tag-food-choices","tag-tax1family","tag-tax2toddlers"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44999\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}