I can say in all honesty that I've been drinking vinegar since before it was cool. When I was little, I would down spoonfuls of the stuff straight. I doused salads with buckets of vinaigrette, which I would surreptitiously quaff after my bowl was emptied. And the only thing I loved more than super-sour cornichons pickles was the leftover brine, which I would guzzle. (Ok, maybe I still do that sometimes.)
I assumed that, like all foods I loved, vinegar must be unhealthy, but my dad assured me that it wasn't. In fact, he told me, some people even drank vinegar for health purposes.
But deep down, I still felt like a freak, and I hid my love of vinegar from all but my immediate family.
So it was a happy day when I discovered that drinking vinegar, or shrub, is a thing. A thing that non-freaky people enjoy, out in the open. A thing that is even considered to be rather hip. Shrubs are an old-fashioned way of preserving various kinds of fruit by combining them with vinegar and sugar or honey, letting the mixture sit for several days, then straining out the solids. Just as my dad said, shrubs were considered a kind of health tonic. Today, they get mixed with ice and sparkling water for a kicky soda for grown-ups, and added to cocktails at hipster bars everywhere.
Indeed, all the cool kids are drinking shrubs. You won't catch anyone singing, "I don't want no shrub. A shrub is a drink that can't get no love from me." No. Instead they sing, "Can't get enough of your shrub." (On second thought, they probably don't sing at all because that would be weird.)
In any case, I have Carey to thank for bringing me out of my vinegar-swilling closet and introducing me to the wonder of shrubs. Her recipes include such exquisite combinations as strawberry-rhubarb-balsamic (which is delicious!), fennel-apple-rhubarb, and blueberry-peach-basil, among many others.
When I overzealously bought a bunch of expensive, first-of-the-season kumquats that turned out to be inedibly sour (and that says a lot coming from someone who drinks pickle juice), I thought they might make a tasty shrub. I tried two different test batches: one with lemon wedges, sugar, and cracked cardamom pods, and a second with honey, lavender, and meyer lemon juice. I added apple cider vinegar to both and let them steep for a day. We tasted the cardamom one first, which was good. But the lavender honey took the cake. Each flavor blended together so seamlessly it was impossible to tell kumquat from lemon from lavender from honey from cider vinegar. It all just tasted like flowers and Spring – a little sweet, a little zippy, and very refreshing with ice and fizzy water.
I tinkered with the recipe a few times to get the right balance of ingredients. This version has some soft, floral tones from the lavender, which also lends the drink a pretty, reddish hue. The citrus blends with the apple cider vinegar, which gives the drink a gentle tartness laced with just a touch of funk, kind of like kombucha. The honey smooths away any rough edges. Raw honey and cider vinegar are also both full of nutrients (as are citrus fruits), making this drink into a sort of healthy tonic that tastes like damn fine soda.
But I knew I'd fully succeeded when I gave a jar to Jay to take to band practice at his friend's hipster bar where fancy, free beer flows from the taps like water, and each band member is a connoisseur. When he returned, he reported that not one drop of beer had been drunk; instead, everyone drank four glasses of shrub each.
Lest you think us teetotalers, we did try mixing this with several kinds of alcohol: gin, rye, white rum, vodka, and tequila. We liked the tequila best, though truth be told, we think the shrub shines brightest on its own.
Also, the strained-out kumquats needn't go to waste. I chopped mine up and ate them on toast with fromage blanc, honey, salt and pepper.
So I guess I'm not such a freak after all...at least, not for my love of drinking vinegar. I'll leave you with words from a wise man (Jay) who keeps repeating over and over while downing glasses of drinking vinegar, "Shrub-a-dub-dub."
More Drinks Recipes:
- Persimmon-Tangerine Smoothie with Turmeric, Ginger and Vanilla
- Nim Nam {Ginger-Vodka Cordial with Vanilla, Lemon, and Honey}
- Bergamot Mojitos
- Ginger Rhubarb Bee's Knees
- Tonic Water
- Lychee + Rose Boba with Pistachio Jelly {A collaboration}
- Mint and Celery Soda
More Shrub Recipes:
*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 lavender kumquat shrub recipe, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.*
Lavender Kumquat Shrub
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
For the shrub:
- 1 pound whole kumquats, quartered (about 3 cups / 450 grams)
- 1 cup mild honey (12 ounces by weight / 340 grams)
- 3 tablespoons lavender buds
- 1/2 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice (4 ounces / 120 mL)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar (8 ounces / 240 mL)
For serving:
- ice and fizzy water
Instructions
Make the shrub:
- Place the kumquats, honey, and lavender in a glass bowl or large jar and muddle to draw out the juices and oils from the citrus. Stir in the lemon juice and vinegar. Cover the shrub and let it sit at room temperature for 2 full days. After two days, strain the shrub, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. (The kumquats can be saved – see headnote for suggestions.)
- Store the shrub in the refrigerator for up to a month. To serve, pour a few tablespoons into a glass. Add ice and fizzy water until you like the way it tastes; 1 part shrub to 3 or 4 parts fizzy water is usually about right. Enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Love this recipe, Alanna! Fellow vinegar lover here. I thought I was the only one who liked to 'drink' the vinaigrette from the bottom of a salad bowl. Thanks for sharing. Pinning!
Alanna says
Thanks for the sweet note, Stacy! I'm glad to know I'm not alone. :)
Regina Melo-Jocknevich says
Hello! Definitely a very different recipe, well at least for me, but I certainly would like to try it.
Your photos are so beautiful!
Alanna says
Aw! Thank you, Regina!
Shelly West says
Oh my gosh - this looks and sounds delicious! I've heard of a shrub before and knew they were made with vinegar but didn't realize the process until reading this post. I'm a big fan of infusing alcohol and this sounds like a similar process that would also create a deliciously unique cocktail (or soda).
Alanna says
Thank you, Shelly! This is definitely similar to infusing alcohol, except that you can serve it to kiddos and not get in trouble. ;)
Ileana says
What beautiful photos! I haven't dipped into the world of drinking vinegars beyond pickle shots as chasers for vodka. And though that is delicious every time, your lavender kumquat shrub looks like a much more refined drink. Putting it on my list.
Alanna says
Thank you, Ileana! Pickle shots as vodka chasers - where have you been all my life?!
Ileana says
Ha! My friend in Austin showed me the way.
Alanna says
Brilliant! :)
deweil says
I started smelling them as soon as I started looking at this! Great photos!
Alanna says
That is so cool, Michael! Thanks!
Todd @ HonestlyYUM says
love love love this Alanna!! Wow...can't stop staring.
Alanna says
Awww... thanks, Todd. I feel that way about each of your posts.
realrawkitchen says
This sounds delicious! And these are such beautiful pictures, it makes the shrub look even more delectable!
Alanna says
Thank you so much!
Eileen says
This shrub looks & sounds so beautiful! I have never tried shrub before--drinking fruit vinegar never appealed, although I do share your love of pickle brine--but I may have to give it a try & change my tune. :)
Alanna says
If you like pickle brine, I have a feeling you'll love shrub! I'm happy to have you over for a cuppa anytime, Eileen. :)
Cheri Savory Spoon says
Wow! I've never tried shrub before, this really looks good. So is this kind of like a healthy soda?
Alanna says
Yes! With a touch of funk, a bit like kombucha. :)
carey says
Oh my GOODNESS!! This is too beautiful, Alanna, and it sounds beyond delicious! My shrub obsession usually doesn't get underway until summer, but this post has totally sparked my cravings. It's been so cold out here that I've actually started craving spring-like things. (Greens and fruit smoothies and the like....I even bought a bottle of violet liqueur a couple weeks ago.) The brightness of the kumquats and the floral lavender aligns so perfectly with all that. I hope that if I indulge enough in spring-like foods, it will come a little sooner. :)
Also, these photos are gorgeous, as usual! They're so bright and cherry. And I love that you didn't just toss out the citrus goody bits once you filtered the shrub. Awesome idea!
Alanna says
Thank you for the sweet note, Carey! And many thanks for introducing me to shrubs! I'm excited to hear what you do with the violet liqueur.
I wish I could trade you some of our freakish warm, dry, sunny weather for a bit of rain. The sun is nice, but not the drought, and I'd really like to take a guilt-free bath again. :/
Laura says
I luuuurve shrubs and everyone thought I was a freak when I started mixing fruit with vinegar for cocktails at work, but isn't it always fun to have the last laugh? This one sounds wonderful and bright--perfect for the especially long-feeling winter we've been having. I'll take anything with lavender and I've only been tempted to buy kumquats twice in the last week, so maybe this is a sign? Beautiful shots too.
Alanna says
Too true! Thank you for the kind words, Laura! Hope you're staying bundled up, and I hope you give this shrub a go - it's a pretty good cure for the Winter doldrums. Cheers to having the last laugh. :)
Lucy Parissi says
This looks absolutely gorgeous! I am so making it as soon as humanly possible...
Alanna says
Thanks, Lucy! Let me know how you like it.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
If you ask me whether I prefer sweet, salty or sour, I'd say vinegary. I crave vinegar! And kumquats... I'm one of those weirdos who adores them, from the tree or candied. Friends give me bags full during the season because no one wants them. Weirdos.
This recipe sounds so perfect Alanna! And the pictures are phenomenal!
Alanna says
Wow, lucky you! Thanks for the kind words, Paula! :)
DessertForTwo says
I'm so happy I found your blog through Warm Vanilla Sugar.
I am a pickle juice drinker. Always have been, always will be. When I first heard about shrubs from Food in Jars, I screamed and demanded to make them. Have I yet? No. And that's a damn shame. I will get to it though, thanks to you!
Gorgeous photos and lovely blog, by the way! :)
Alanna says
Thanks for the sweet note, Christina! So glad to know there are fellow pickle juice drinkers out there. I think you will become a shrubaholic once you take your first sip - we certainly have. :)
Monet says
Oh sweet girl, your pictures! STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING. I drink vinegar too (both for taste and for health) but I have yet to make a shrub. This must change...and quick! Thank you for sharing. Beautiful, as always.
Alanna says
Aw! Thank you, Monet! I love that you drink vinegar, too. Shrub is going to blow your mind! Thanks for the super sweet words. :)
Suzuki says
I drink this to your health (and mine)--it must be bursting with vitamin C! Came out great and I won't waste one bit of it. Cheers!
Alanna says
How sweet - thank you, Suzuki! I'm so glad you like the shrub. It reminds of the lavender honey ice cream they have at Fairfax scoop. :) I'm just about to make another batch myself!
Andj says
Perfect timing! I just grabbed some kumquats on a whim and have no idea what to do with them (other than admire how adorable they are). Thank you!
Alanna says
I agree - they are quite adorable! I hope you like the shrub as much as we do. :)
Aurelia says
This looks gorgeous, and sounds delicious! I love all of the ingredients so I have no doubt I'll love this, thanks for sharing the recipe. You didn't say though, did you use normal apple cider vinegar, or raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (to get the health benefits from the mother)?
Alanna says
Ooh, thanks for pointing that out - I'll update up top. I've made this with both raw and pasteurized cider vinegars, but I like the raw stuff for the reasons you've mentioned. I'm actually about to make another batch today - whoop. :)
Aurelia says
Awesome, thanks for the clarification :)
Alanna says
No problem. :)
kateswynn says
Mmm, this sounds delicious, can't wait to try it. I'd love to see the recipe for the cardamom version too - cardamom is my favourite spice!
Alanna says
Cardamom is my favorite, too! Here's what I tried: 1 cup kumquats, 10 cracked cardamom pods, half a meyer lemon, chopped (I tried putting the whole fruit into that batch), 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. This tester only made enough for 2 drinks, which is why I increased the liquid components in the version above. You could also try omitting the lavender in the posted recipe and adding 20-30 cracked cardamom pods instead. A friend of mine tried it with fresh ginger instead of lavender, which I also think sounds delicious. Please let me know if you play around with it. :)
Hannah Cross says
I'm so happy I found this! I didn't realize how easy it was to make your own shrubs—this is going to save me so much money. :)
Alanna says
I know, right?! How can they charge so dang much for those??
Anna Beguia says
Hi,
I’ve just made a batch of kumquat shrub following your recipe. I’ve have to admit, I was a bit sceptical with using lavender and honey but it smells so good! I can’t wait for it to be ready!
I have a question about the shrub making process. I’ve looked at other cold process shrub recipes and have given myself a head ache. One recipe calls for mixing the fruit and sugar leaving it for 2 days then adding vinegar. Is there a wrong way of doing this?
Alanna says
Hi Anna,
That is an excellent question! I'm by no means a shrub expert, and I'd be curious to know how the other method would work if made with honey. I'm not sure whether it would draw out the liquid from the fruit in the same way. If you end up with more kumquats and want to test it out, I'd be delighted to know the difference too! In any case, please let me know how you enjoy the shrub. :)
Hanna says
Hi,
This recipe looks so good! I’m so excited to try it. I was just wondering, why does it keep for only a month? I’ve seen shrub recipes that say that can keep up to six months, so I was just wondering if this could last for longer than a month or maybe even be frozen so it keeps for longer. Thanks!
Alanna says
That's a great question! It will probably keep for longer than a month; we just drank it all before I could test out that theory! Will you let me know if you try it?