You've got to try this rhubarb shrub recipe! Whether you use it in a cocktail or non-alcoholic drinks, it's a beautiful fruit syrup that you can use in lots of drinks and a great way to add a little zing!
I'll also show you how to make my favorite rhubarb shrub cocktail using gin and ginger beer.
Making a shrub takes a few days, but it's easy and lasts long. It requires little hands-on time and results in a tasty, non-alcoholic rhubarb syrup.
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What's a Shrub?
A shrub combines fresh fruit, sugar, and vinegar, marinating for a few days to produce a sugary, vinegar-based syrup. Shrubs are often used in cocktails, so a shrub might refer to a cocktail or a soft drink (mocktail).
Shrubs can be made with all kinds of different fruits. Berries and stone fruits are often used, but a rhubarb drinking shrub is truly special! Shrubs are great with club soda/soda water, ginger beer, mineral water, or lemonade. Mixing them into a cocktail pairs well with gin, dry vermouth, sherry, and vodka.
The word shrub comes from the Arabic word sharab, which means 'to drink'.
Ingredients for a Rhubarb Shrub
To make this rhubarb shrub syrup, you'll only need a few things. I always use 1 pound fruit, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup vinegar for shrubs.
- One Pound of Fresh Rhubarb - You'll need at least one pound of rhubarb. You'll want to cut this into smaller pieces, about ¼ inch pieces is perfect.
- One Cup of Sugar - You'll need 1 cup of granulated white sugar. You could use another type of sweetener, but granulated sugar dissolves easily.
- One Cup of Vinegar - You'll need 1 cup of vinegar. I used white vinegar but apple cider vinegar also works well in shrubs (it will change the color though).
How to Make Rhubarb Shrub
First, combine the sugar and rhubarb in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours. Stir the mixture, then return it to the refrigerator for another 12 hours.
Next, stir in the vinegar and return to the refrigerator.
Allow the mix to sit in the refrigerator for another 12 to 36 hours.
Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer. Discard the fruit pieces and keep the fruit-based syrup. Transfer syrup to an airtight container, like a mason jar.
Use this fruity syrup to make your favorite drink, and store the remaining syrup in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
If you like fruit cocktails, make sure to check out some of our other favorites.
- Fig & Blackberry Smash Cocktail - an easy cocktail with figs and blackberries
- Blood Orange Whiskey Sour - a beautiful cocktail with citrus juices
- Ginger Lime Margarita - a kicky margarita with a lemongrass, ginger, and lime syrup
More Rhubarb Recipes to Try
Rhubarb is a wonderful (and pretty) spring and summer vegetable that acts like a fruit when it's baked or used with sugar. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it.
- Rhubarb Blueberry Galette - a gorgeous galette recipe with ripe rhubarb and blueberries
- Rhubarb Crisp - a zesty and sweet crisp with a nutty topping. Try this crisp with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert!
Questions & Tips for Making Shrubs
Yes, you can absolutely make a shrub with frozen fruit. Let it defrost a little before adding the sugar.
Technically, no; once you've added the vinegar, it should no longer need to be refrigerated. However, we still recommend it, just to be safe!
Shrubs can last for up to 6 months in the refrigerator if you're not using them often. If you pull it in and out of the refrigerator and use it often, try to use it within 6 to 8 weeks.
Yes, you can add herbs like mint and basil to a fruit shrub. Add them at the beginning with the fruit and sugar.
White wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or raw apple cider vinegar will work in this shrub, but the red vinegar will alter the color a bit.
This is the perfect recipe for the next time rhubarb season comes around or when you're ready to use up that frozen rhubarb you've been storing. Keep this cocktail mixer in your refrigerator, and the next time you're craving a special cocktail or mocktail, make a shrub drink!
If you try this fruit shrub recipe, let us know! Connect with us on Instagram and share your photos, or leave us a rating.
Rhubarb Shrub
This fruity rhubarb shrub can be used in cocktails, lemonades, or soft drinks.
Ingredients
Shrub Syrup Ingredients
- 1 pound rhubarb, diced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup white vinegar
Cocktail Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¼ cup ginger beer
Instructions
- Shrub Syrup: Combine the sugar and rhubarb in a large bowl and stir to combine. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours, stirring halfway through. Add the vinegar and stir, then allow to sit in the refrigerator for another 12 to 36 hours. Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
- Cocktail Recipe: Combine 1-ounce rhubarb shrub syrup with 2 ounces gin and ¼ cup of ginger beer. Serve over ice.
Notes
Shrub syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 223Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 0g
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