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Rhubarb Shrub

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You've got to try making this rhubarb shrub, whether you use it in a cocktail or mocktail, it's a wonderful, fruity syrup that you can use in lots of drinks.

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 super easy! It requires very little hands-on time and results in a very tasty, non-alcoholic syrup.

An overhead shot of a rhubarb shrub cocktail.

What's a Shrub?

A shrub is a combination of fresh fruit, sugar, and vinegar that marinates for a few days and results in 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 any kind of fruit, but berries are often used. They're great when paired with soda water, ginger beer, or lemonade. When mixing them into a cocktail, they pair well with gin, vermouth, sherry, and vodka.

The word shrub comes from the Arabic word sharab, which means 'to drink'.

ingredients for a rhubarb shrub on a cutting board.

Ingredients for a Rhubarb Shrub

To make this rhubarb shrub syrup you'll only need a few things. For shrubs, I always do 1 pound fruit, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup vinegar.

  • Fresh Rhubarb - You'll need at least one pound of rhubarb. You'll want to cut this into smaller pieces, about ¼ inch is perfect.
  • Sugar - You'll need 1 cup of granulated sugar. You could use another type of sweetener, but granulated sugar dissolves easily.
  • 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).
Chopped rhubarb in a glass bowl, tossed with sugar.
A closeup of rhubarb in sugar and vinegar.

More Cocktail Recipes to Try

If you like fruit cocktails, make sure to check out some of our other favorites.

Ingredients for a rhubarb shrub on a marble backdrop.

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.

Two glasses of rhubarb shrub cocktail.

Questions & Tips for Making Shrubs

Can you make a shrub with frozen fruit? Yes, you can absolutely make a shrub with frozen fruit. Let it defrost a little before adding the sugar.

Does a shrub have to be refrigerated? 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!

How long do shrubs last? 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.

Can you add herbs to a shrub? Yes, you can add herbs like mint and basil to a fruit shrub. Add them at the beginning with the fruit and sugar.

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Yield: about 1 ¼ cups of shrub syrup

Rhubarb Shrub

An overhead shot of a rhubarb shrub cocktail.

This fruity rhubarb shrub can be used in cocktails, lemonades, or soft drinks.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 2 days
Total Time 2 days 10 minutes

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

  1. Shrub Syrup - combine the sugar and rhubarb in a large bowl, stir to combine. Cover and place in a refrigerator for 24 hours. Stir 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.
  2. 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:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 223Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 0g

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