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    Home » Recipes » 4th of July

    How to Make a Raspberry Shrub Drink (low-sugar)

    Published: Jun 28, 2016 · Modified: Apr 9, 2023 by Sally Cameron · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Here's a thirst-quenching drink to combat the heat of summer. It's a vinegar drink called a shrub. While it might sound strange it's delightful. It cools you down without any alcohol or added sugar. Sparkling mineral water, fresh mint, flavored liquid stevia drops, and the secret ingredient - vinegar.  Seriously, try this shrub drink when you want something tasty and refreshing but don't want alcohol.

    Raspberry Shrub | AFoodCentricLife.com
    A finished raspberry vinegar drink called a shrub.

    Vinegar Drinks: Shrubs and Switchels

    We're all familiar with apple cider vinegar benefits, so drinking vinegar is not too crazy of a concept. While not an apple cider vinegar drink, this recipe uses raspberry vinegar; it's called a raspberry shrub. Let me introduce you to drinking vinegar.

    The History of Shrubs

    Called shrubs and switchels, drinking vinegar in beverages has a long global and cross-cultural history. Old English versions often contained spirits and citrus juices. The American version of the shrub used vinegar as an alternative to citrus juices as a way of preserving berries and other fruits before refrigeration was invented.

    Like all things, they fell out of fashion but were resurrected in 2011-2012 by American restaurants and bars. Unfortunately many recipes use lots of sugar because they are based on simple syrup (sugar syrups).

    Raspberry Shrub|AFoodCentricLife.com
    Beautiful fresh red raspberries in a blue carton.

    How I Discovered Shrubs

    I discovered shrubs by accident. One of my ingredient splurges is special vinegars from Germany by Vom Fass. As I was buying some I said these are so good you could drink them, and they said yes! You actually can! Their Raspberry Balsamic vinegar is amazing. I use it for delicious summer vinaigrettes and try it over ice cream.

    Stores are scattered so I order online these days. They have small sizes available for you to try (100ml). I generally by the 250ml size. Alternatively find raspberry vinegars at Williams-Sonoma, Amazon, and oil and vinegar boutiques.

    Raspberry Shrub|AFoodCentricLife.com
    Adding drinking vinegar to a glass over ice.

    How to Make a Sparkling Raspberry Vinegar Shrub

    When I want to replace sugar in something, I often turn to Sweet Drops, the flavored liquid stevia drops. The berry flavor was the perfect way to make a quick and healthier version of a shrub without a sugar syrup.

    Many recipes start with a pound of fruit and 2 cups of sugar and turn it into a syrup. Too much sugar for me. That's like eating jam. My recipe? No simple syrup, no infusing berries. Just fruit-based vinegar, flavored liquid stevia drops and sparkling water. I use San Pellegrino. So easy!

    Fill a glass with ice, pour in about 2 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar, fill with sparkling San Pellegrino water, add mint and fresh raspberries and you have a refreshing, non-alcoholic vinegar drink.

    Raspberry Shrub|AFoodCentricLife.com
    Pouring sparkling water over ice and vinegar with raspberries, mint.

    Don't skip the mint. It's not just for looks. It adds wonderful flavor. And mint is so easy to grow in warm months. Get a pot going in your backyard, porch, balcony or kitchen window.

    Raspberry Shrub|AFoodCentricLife.com
    Vom Fass raspberry vinegar bottles.

    The Ultimate Raspberry Vinegar

    Yes, you do have to ship them and no they are not cheap. If you are adventurous and love to find speciality artisan ingredients, treat yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you. Their fruit vinegars have a high fruit content, mild acidity and intense aromas and flavors. All of the flavors make incredible vinaigrettes for salads. Call for pricing and more information. 

    Here is a link to more information about their vinegars. The blueberry vinegar you can drink off a spoon. Here is a recipe I did with the blueberry vinegar, a grilled chicken salad with blueberry vinaigrette.

    Raspberry Shrub|AFoodCentricLife.com

    More Helpful Links

    Sweet and Sour: Cooling Off With Switchels and Shrubs

    📖 Recipe

    Raspberry Shrub | AFoodCentricLife.com

    Sparkling Raspberry Shrub Drink

    Sally Cameron
    Cool and refreshing without added sugar or alcohol, use good quality raspberry vinegar and chilled sparkling water. For the sweetness without sugar, use Sweet Drops in berry flavor, by Sweet Leaf.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 minutes mins
    Course Beverage, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 10 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Ice to fill a glass
    • 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
    • 12 ounces sparkling water like San Pellegrino
    • 3-4 drops flavored liquid stevia drops Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops
    • 2 sprigs fresh mint optional garnish, but adds flavor
    • 4-5 fresh raspberries optional garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Fill glass with ice, pour raspberry vinegar over the ice cubes.
    • Add a few drops of the berry flavored liquid stevia and fill the glass with the sparkling water. Stir, and top with the mint and raspberries.

    Notes

    Don't skip the mint. It's not just for looks. It adds wonderful flavor. And mint is so easy to grow in warm months. Get a pot going in your backyard, porch, balcony or kitchen window.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 10kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 73mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbie says

      August 09, 2018 at 9:26 pm

      Thanks Sally!!!

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        August 14, 2018 at 3:23 pm

        My pleasure!

        Reply
    2. Debbie says

      July 27, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      I can't find the Vom Fass vinegar on Amazon. Is the brand name perhaps something different??

      Thanks!!!

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        July 28, 2018 at 1:04 pm

        Hi Debbie. Unfortunately it is not on Amazon. You have to go direct to their site. Look to see if there is a store anywhere near you and if not call the closest store and place an order. That is what I now do. My closest store is San Diego, which reminds me I need apple and sherry vinegar!

        Reply
    3. Rachael says

      July 01, 2016 at 1:42 pm

      YUM! What perfect flavor choices! Wish we were neighbors...we could just have an entire shrub bar!

      Reply
      • Sally Cameron says

        July 01, 2016 at 3:16 pm

        That would be so fun! So many flavor combos. One reader already shared that she made a tangerine shrub with tangerine balsamic and orange stevia drops. Love it!

        Reply
    4. Denise says

      July 01, 2016 at 8:42 am

      I have to try this! Vinegar? Sounds crazy but I will trey it! Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Stacey says

      June 30, 2016 at 3:48 am

      OMG this looks so delicious! I can't wait to try this! Thank you Sally!

      Reply

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