Apple Pie Shrub
Warm spices combined with sweet apples create a cozy, festive shrub that's perfect for Christmas mocktails or winter entertaining
Del Holland
- prepare
- Easy
Photo credit:Supplied
Fruit shrubs, also known as drinking vinegars, are a brilliant way to preserve seasonal fruit and create sophisticated, complex drinks for entertaining. This old-fashioned preservation method combines fruit, sugar, and vinegar in equal parts to create a sweet-tart syrup that's perfect for mixing with sparkling water, adding to cocktails, or creating impressive mocktails. The beauty of shrubs is their simplicity and versatility. You can use whatever fruit is in season or needs using up, pair it with herbs or spices, and create your own signature flavours.
Ingredients
- 250g apples, cored and chopped (no need to peel)
- 250g caster sugar
- 250g apple cider vinegar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Wash and core the apples, then chop them into small pieces. Leave the skin on for extra flavour and colour. Place in a clean glass jar.
- Add sugar, vinegar and spices: Pour the sugar over the apples. Add the cinnamon stick and cardamom. Shake the jar to distribute everything. Add the vinegar t
- Macerate: Cover and leave at room temperature for 24-48 hours, shaking occasionally. The apples will release their juices and the spices will begin to infuse
- Infuse: Cover and leave to infuse for 5-7 days at room temperature or in the fridge, shaking daily. The spices need a bit longer to fully develop their warm flavours
- Strain and bottle: Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the fruit to extract all the liquid. Remove and discard the spices. Pour into a clean bottle and refrigerate
- Store: Keeps for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
