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    Home / Drinks

    Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

    Published Aug 6, 2014

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    glasses of refreshing Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

    I stopped drinking soda and juice around a decade ago when the media was all like, "Soda is Satan! It makes people obese! Don't drink soda or you'll die!!!" Drinking a soda, even a healthier version of one (say Fentimen's Rose Lemonade...) felt like the ultimate indulgence, like I may as well have been mainlining corn syrup-sweetened heroine right into my veins. I still enjoyed beer, wine, and cocktails, however, and after a while I realized that I was drinking alcohol when what I simply wanted was a tasty iced beverage to refresh on a warm day.

    bowl of cherries

    liquid poured onto cherries

    So I was thrilled to discover kombucha a few years ago, which despite being made from tea and sugar, was drunk by healthy people for healthy reasons. I began lugging bottles home from the grocery store, which would sometimes leak from the carbonated pressure, making a mess. Wanting to make my own, I inherited a scoby from a friend, which I promptly neglected and killed.

    muddling cherries

    cherry mix in jar

    Then shrub came into my life via Carey's lovely site Reclaiming Provincial. Shrubs are old-fashioned drinking vinegars made from fruit, sweetener, and vinegar. When made with raw cider vinegar, they provide some of the same good bacteria present in kombucha. Shrubs can be mixed with ice and fizzy water for a simple soda of sorts, not too sweet and flavored with whatever you like.

    vinegar added to cherries

    jar of cherries

    You can also add booze.

    cherries in sieve

    As a way to extend cherry season a bit further, I've been whipping up this simple shrub with sweet cherries, vanilla bean, and maple syrup. I add raw cider vinegar and a splash of balsamic. Mixed with ice and sparkling water, it tastes surprisingly like cherry-vanilla soda.

    sprtizer added to shrub

    I've found that adding alcohol can sometimes give shrubs a medicinal edge, but rye whiskey was pretty perfect here. Highly recommended!

    shot of two glasses of Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

    I'm looking forward to sharing (and drinking) more shrubby concoctions. In the meantime, I wish everyone a lovely summer filled with plenty of refreshing beverages, healthy and otherwise.

    overhead shot of Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

    More Drinks Recipes:

    • Lavendar Kumquat Shrub
    • One For the Money Cocktail {with Cocchi Americano, Saffron and Cardamom}
    • Grapefruit, Ginger and Lemongrass Sake Cocktails
    • Hibiscus Ginger Palomas
    • Lychee + Rose Boba with Pistachio Jelly {A collaboration}
    • Mint and Celery Soda

    *Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram,  Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this maple shrub recipe, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet  and  #bojongourmet.*

    Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar in glasses
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    Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    This healthy drink is full of goodness!
    Alanna Taylor-Tobin
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Resting time: 1 day
    Total: 1 day 10 minutes
    Servings: 12 to 16 drinks (makes cups).

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups stemmed sweet cherries (10 ounces / 280 grams)
    • 1/2 vanilla bean
    • 1/2 cup maple syrup (5.25 ounces / 150 grams)
    • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (preferably raw, such as Bragg's) (4 ounces / 115 grams)
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

    Instructions

    • Place the cherries in a large jar or bowl (it's fine to leave the pits in). Add the vanilla and maple syrup, and use a muddle stick (or other blunt objecto mash the cherries to a pulp. Stir in the vinegars. Cover and let the shrub sit for 24 to 48 hours. Strain the shrub, pressing on the solids to extract all the good stuff. Discard the pulp.
    • Pour the shrub into a jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator. It should keep for at least 1 month.

    Notes

    Inspired by Carey's Cherry Balsamic Shrub.
    Use grade A maple syrup here if you want a lighter flavor and brighter color (as pictured); grade B will have a deeper maple taste and the sodas will look a bit muddier, but they'll still be super tasty.
    Give yourself 1-2 days to make this recipe as the mixture needs to infuse for at least 24 hours.
    To drink, mix 1 part shrub with about 4 parts soda water, top with ice, and add a splash of rye whiskey or bourbon if you like.
    All ounce measurements here are by weight.
    Nutritional values are based on one of twelve drinks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 54kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 1.7mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.1mg
    Making this? I'd love to see!Tag your snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet!

    Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

    Inspired by Carey's Cherry Balsamic Shrub

    Use grade A maple syrup here if you want a lighter flavor and brighter color (as pictured); grade B will have a deeper maple taste and the sodas will look a bit muddier, but they'll still be super tasty. Give yourself 1-2 days to make this recipe as the mixture needs to infuse for at least 24 hours. To drink, mix 1 part shrub with about 4 parts soda water, top with ice, and add a splash of rye whiskey or bourbon if you like.

    All ounce measurements here are by weight.

    Makes about 1 1/2 cups

    2 cups (10 ounces / 280 grams) stemmed sweet cherries
    1/2 vanilla bean
    1/2 cup (5.25 ounces / 150 grams) maple syrup
    1/2 cup (4 ounces / 115 grams) apple cider vinegar (preferably raw, such as Bragg's)
    1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

    Place the cherries in a large jar or bowl (it's fine to leave the pits in). Add the vanilla and maple syrup, and use a muddle stick (or other blunt object) to mash the cherries to a pulp. Stir in the vinegars. Cover and let the shrub sit for 24 to 48 hours. Strain the shrub, pressing on the solids to extract all the good stuff. Discard the pulp.

    Pour the shrub into a jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator. It should keep for at least 1 month.

    three glasses of Cherry Vanilla Maple Shrub {Drinking Vinegar}

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

      August 06, 2014 at 11:24 pm

      This is gorgeous! And I love the photos...great recipe!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:07 am

        Thanks Katrina!!

        Reply
    2. Pang @circahappy says

      August 07, 2014 at 12:36 am

      I am SO going to make this refreshing beverage very soon. Your wonderful photos help pushing this recipe to the top of my TO-MAKE list. Btw, I really don't think it would last a day at my house :)

      Always a wonderful post, Alanna :)

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:08 am

        Aw, thank you Pang! it did go down pretty easy in our house, too. :)

        Reply
    3. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

      August 07, 2014 at 1:14 am

      This looks beautiful! I have some cherries soaking in bourbon right now with honey and a vanilla bean. But now I really want to try your recipe here for a lovely, non-alcoholic version!!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:08 am

        Omg, that sounds amazing!! Why bother with non-alcoholic? ;)

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth - SugarHero.com says

      August 07, 2014 at 1:43 am

      So I am a little scarred by kombucha. I have had way too many friends assure me "it's delicious!" only to find myself drinking a fizzy vinegary monstrosity with a slight fruit flavor. Perhaps it is not for me. However. These pictures are SO gorgeous, and your description is SO enticing, that I might be persuaded to try a shrub this summer! Plus, the name. How could I not love it?!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:10 am

        I feel you! I've tried some kombuchas that fit that description. Some are more flavorful/less sour than others. This shrub is especially not vinegary since it has a higher proportion of fruit and sweetener than most. I think you'd like it!

        Reply
    5. Crystal S. | Apples & Sparkle says

      August 07, 2014 at 5:56 am

      This sounds great! I've been curious about shrubs, I think I would love this. : )

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:12 am

        I hope you do!

        Reply
    6. Nicola Miller says

      August 07, 2014 at 11:26 am

      After reading 'What Katy Did' where they took a bottle of shrub to drink at one of their picnics I have harboured all kinds of romantic ideas about it. This recipe is definitely one I will try so thank you.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:12 am

        Oh how interesting and lovely! Please let me know how you like it.

        Reply
    7. chefmimiblog.com says

      August 07, 2014 at 11:39 am

      Beautiful. And gorgeous pics. I didn't realize what a shrub was. I thought it was like a bramble. It's obviously not. Sounds divine.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:13 am

        Ooh, now I want to try a bramble! Thanks for the kind note. :)

        Reply
    8. Ileana says

      August 07, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      Goodness, so pretty!!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:14 am

        Thanks!!

        Reply
    9. Cheryl says

      August 07, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      Whoa.... this sounds amazing. I am a huge fan of super tart kombucha (maybe because I tend to let my scoby chill in my batches too long?) and this ingredients list sounds like the culinary version of a Letters to Penthouse..

      ..which I really think we need, actually.

      That being said, I am ALL over this. Mmmmm.. mmmm.. MM!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:42 am

        Yes, I concur! Thanks, Cheryl!

        Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      August 07, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      This sounds delicious.... is that 1/2 cup or 1c. of the vinegar? 1 cup is 8 oz..... Thanks! :)

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:43 am

        Eek! Fixed it up top - thanks for pointing that out! Proof that I should not write posts from the woods. :)

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        August 11, 2014 at 9:56 pm

        :) Going to try a strawberry, honey, and lavender balsamic version. It will take some experimenting to see what kind of booze complements those flavors.....

        Reply
    11. Eileen says

      August 07, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      What a great way to preserve the summer cherries! Much better than jars of jam that I for one will never eat. :) I haven't ever tried making shrub, so I'm looking forward to the experiment.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:44 am

        Quite! I'm not much of a jam girl myself. Hope you love this, Eileen!

        Reply
    12. Dessert for Two says

      August 07, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      You've finally convinced me to make my own shrubs. I love vinegar, and I've been eyeing them for ages, but your cherry version (with or without rye whiskey!) sounds awesome!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:44 am

        Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! Hope you love this one, too. :)

        Reply
    13. Sully Sullivan says

      August 07, 2014 at 11:55 pm

      See if you can find yourself a bottle of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. It's a fairly new product from Heaven Hill. I think that would pair perfectly!

      http://www.bernheimwheatwhiskey.com

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:45 am

        Oooh, thank you so much for the suggestion, Sully. I'll keep an eye out for it.

        Reply
    14. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

      August 08, 2014 at 1:23 am

      I have yet to make a shrub myself, but I have started brewing my own Kombucha this summer. I love the idea of using cherries and maple (and whiskey for that matter) to make these beauties!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:46 am

        Oh that's so cool! I wish I lived closer so I could come share a glass with you. :)

        Reply
    15. lynn liccardo says

      August 10, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      just finished decanting. i used chocolate balsamic and it's great in seltzer. after the sun goes down, i'll add a shot of chocolate bourbon

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:49 am

        Wow! Lynn, I was totally thinking of the chocolate bourbon recipe you gave me last year when I made this. I was so close to putting cacao nibs in the shrub. Please let me know how it works with the shrub (is there any question??). Thank you for trying the recipe - I need to make yours ASAP!

        Reply
      • lynn liccardo says

        August 12, 2014 at 12:27 am

        "is there any question??" just had a sip and yes, that is a rhetorical question:)

        re adding cocoa nibs to the shrub: i let the bourbon percolate for three weeks before straining, so i'm not sure how much flavor would be released in 24-48 hours. and i did try adding dried cherries to a batch of the chocolate bourbon, but couldn't discern any cherry flavor.

        Reply
    16. Cooksophiecook says

      August 11, 2014 at 4:59 am

      Hahah, this sounds just like me. I will pin this deliciousness for when Sydney warms up (hurry up ....)!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 11, 2014 at 7:50 am

        Yay! I hope it hurries up!

        Reply
    17. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

      August 12, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      i can't get enough of cherries at the moment! awesome recipe and one i will definitely be trying.. with the addition of booze of course!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 18, 2014 at 10:27 pm

        Hells yeah!! Thanks, Thalia!

        Reply
    18. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

      August 14, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      So, so gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 18, 2014 at 10:27 pm

        Thanks Laura! You know gorgeous. :)

        Reply
    19. Unknown says

      June 08, 2015 at 10:22 pm

      Hi,
      Quick question-do you let it sit out on the counter or in the fridge for the 24-48 hours?
      Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        June 10, 2015 at 11:40 pm

        On the counter. Thanks for asking and happy shrub-making.

        Reply
    20. Cindy Marlow says

      July 30, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      Last year I canned Chinese 5 Spice cherries with molasses and vinegar. The canning liquid was so yummy and I was delighted to find that drinking it was actually a thing.... A shrub! Now I'm happy to find all these amazing recipes for this refreshing drink. Salud!

      Reply
    21. Cindy Marlow says

      July 30, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      Last year I canned Chinese 5 Spice cherries with molasses and vinegar. The canning liquid was so yummy and I was delighted to find that drinking it was actually a thing.... A shrub! Now I'm happy to find all these amazing recipes for this refreshing drink. Salud!

      Reply
    22. Cindy Marlow says

      July 30, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      Last year I canned Chinese 5 Spice cherries with molasses and vinegar. The canning liquid was so yummy and I was delighted to find that drinking it was actually a thing.... A shrub! Now I'm happy to find all these amazing recipes for this refreshing drink. Salud!

      Reply
    23. Cindy Marlow says

      July 30, 2015 at 5:41 pm

      Last year I canned Chinese 5 Spice cherries with molasses and vinegar. The canning liquid was so yummy and I was delighted to find that drinking it was actually a thing.... A shrub! Now I'm happy to find all these amazing recipes for this refreshing drink. Salud!

      Reply
    24. Cindy Marlow says

      July 30, 2015 at 5:41 pm

      Last year I canned Chinese 5 Spice cherries with molasses and vinegar. The canning liquid was so yummy and I was delighted to find that drinking it was actually a thing.... A shrub! Now I'm happy to find all these amazing recipes for this refreshing drink. Salud!

      Reply

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