Summer Berry Shrub

Ingredients

12 oz. berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries) sliced or quartered

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 c. vinegar (red wine, white wine, apple cider, white balsamic, or unseasoned rice)

Club soda, fresh berries, and herb sprigs (optional) for serving

Gin, vodka, or tequila (optional) for serving

Directions

1. Gently mash berries in a medium bowl with a fork. Transfer to a jar, add sugar, and stir to combine. Seal jar and let fruit mixture sit at room temperature, shaking a couple of times, until berries are very soft and falling apart and sugar is at least mostly dissolved, about 1 day. The mixture should look very juicy.

2. Strain the fruit mixture through a fine-mesh sieve (or line sieve with a layer of cheesecloth) into a medium bowl and discard fruit. Scrape any undissolved sugar left in jar into bowl. 

3. Add vinegar to syrup and stir to combine. Taste shrub and add more sugar or vinegar to your liking. It should taste both sweet and sharp but not overpowering in either direction. The flavors will meld as the shrub ages. Pour shrub into a clean jar, cover with lid and chill until flavors come together and mellow, at least 1 week. Shrub can be made 6 months ahead. Keep chilled.

4. For a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, pour 2 T. shrub into a glass filled with ice and top off with club soda. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with berries and/or herbs if desired. Add a shot of gin, vodka, or tequila for a cocktail.

Notes

Shrub can be customized by infusing with other flavors, such as: a 2 in. piece of fresh, peeled, thinly sliced ginger; a small bunch of fresh basil or mint; a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme; or a 3 in. piece of lemongrass, tough outer layers removed.