A thoughtfully made shrub is the perfect way to add a burst of tart, fruity flavor to your mocktails or cocktails! My Apple Cider Shrub Mocktail is refreshingly tangy, slightly sweet, and incredibly easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients. It works well with sparkling water as a non-alcoholic option, but you can easily add your favorite spirit for a boozy twist! I love using apple cider as the base for this recipe (it’s budget-friendly and perfect for the festive season!), but I’ve also shared some variations below for you to try.
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We all know alcohol can totally blow up a budget. In fact, I spoke to The New York Times about great ways to save money when it comes to holiday meal budgets back in November. I recommended trying a mocktail instead of wine or liquor to save big! Yes, you can still mix this recipe with liquor or sparkling wine (to make an apple cider mimosa) if it’s within your budget, but we don’t need alcohol to feel festive around here! Try my refreshing apple cider shrub mocktail and get in the holiday spirit without breaking the bank.
What is A Shrub Drink?
A shrub, also known as drinking vinegar, is a fruit-infused vinegar-based syrup made from equal parts vinegar, fruit, and sugar. I use apple cider vinegar, apple cider, and granulated sugar in this recipe for a perfectly balanced, tangy flavor—great for the holidays! Mix it with sparkling water for a refreshing, low-cost drink that makes a nice alternative to store-bought sodas or alcohol this Christmas and New Year.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this apple cider shrub:
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance out the tartness from the vinegar. I like using granulated sugar because it has a neutral flavor and lets the other ingredients shine.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: You can play around with different kinds of vinegar when you make shrubs, but I always reach for apple cider vinegar when I make this recipe. It has a really nice balance of sweetness and acidity. This also means my recipe has all the added health benefits of apple cider vinegar!
- Apple Cider: I use regular apple cider, but you can also use apple juice if you like.
- Sliced Apples: I add some sliced apples to my mixture for added flavor. Any variety will work here! You can use them to garnish your drink, but they’re also delicious to eat after they’ve been soaking in the apple cider mixture.
- Sparkling Water & Fresh Rosemary: Use these ingredients if you want to turn this recipe into a simple apple mocktail.
The Best Ratio for A Shrub
Making a shrub mocktail is all about finding the perfect ratio of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors—which is really easy once you know the formula! The general rule I follow is a 1:1:1 ratio. So, as you can see in this recipe for apple cider vinegar shrub, I have used 1 part sugar, 1 part vinegar, and 1 part juice. This creates a perfectly balanced drink that’s not too sweet or too sour!
Variations to try!
You can play around with different vinegar (red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar are all popular options!), juice, and fruit combinations to make other flavors based on whatever you have to hand. You can also use muddled or pureed fruit instead of fruit juice! Different herbs and spices can also make a nice addition. So, let your imagination run wild! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Pineapple juice and white wine vinegar
- Cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, and fresh cranberries (switch the sparkling water for ginger ale to make a Christmas punch-inspired mocktail!)
- Strawberry puree, basil leaves, and sherry vinegar
- Muddled blueberries, cardamom, and apple cider vinegar
- Blackberry puree and red wine vinegar
One of my favorite books to recommend to any home cook or bartender is The Flavor Bible. It’s the perfect kitchen handbook for those who are pretty confident in the kitchen but want to experiment with more interesting flavor combinations or try out new ingredients.
Storage Instructions
Homemade shrubs can last several months when stored in the refrigerator (although mine never lasts that long!). This is because vinegar and sugar act as a natural preservative. I recommend sterilizing your jar and lid before adding the ingredients and, if using, removing the fresh apple slices after about 3 days. I thoroughly wash my jars and lids with hot, soapy water, then bathe them in a pot filled with hot water, letting them boil for at least 10 minutes. You can also sterilize your jars in the dishwasher on the high heat setting.
If you notice any odd changes in color or smell or see signs of fermentation (such as bubbles), it’s best to discard it and make a new batch.
Apple Cider Shrub Mocktail Recipe
Servings 8 servings, 1 oz of shrub per cocktail (2 Tbsp)Ingredients
Shrub Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar ($0.08)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ($0.14)
- ¼ cup apple cider* ($0.11)
- 1 small apple, sliced (or ½ a large apple), to fill the jar to the top ($0.62)
(Optional) To Make Two Mocktails, You'll Need:
- 1 can sparkling water** ($0.48)
- fresh rosemary, for garnish*** ($0.22)
Instructions
- To make the shrub, add granulated sugar to a small, sterilized 6 oz mason jar.
- Then, pour apple cider vinegar on top.
- Finally, pour in the apple cider (or apple juice). You can stop here and skip to step 5 if you don't have any fresh apples on hand.
- If using, add thinly sliced apples to the jar until it's full, but not overflowing. The marinated apples add flavor but also make a nice garnish!
- Screw the lid on and shake until the sugar dissolves.
- Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
- To make two apple mocktails, add 1 oz prepared apple shrub to each glass over ice. Top them off with soda water and garnish with fresh rosemary (or your garnish of choice!).
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
- 6 oz. Mason Jar
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!
how to make AN Apple Cider Shrub Mocktail – step by step photos
To make the shrub, add ¼ cup granulated sugar to a small, sterilized 6 oz mason jar.
Then, pour ¼ cup apple cider vinegar on top.
Finally, pour in ¼ cup apple cider (or apple juice). You can stop here and skip to step 5 if you don’t have any fresh apples on hand.
If using, add thinly sliced apples (either from 1 small apple or ½ a large apple) to the jar until it’s full, but not overflowing. The marinated apples add flavor but also make a nice garnish!
Screw the lid on and shake until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
To make two apple mocktails, add 1 oz prepared apple shrub to each glass over ice.
Top them off with 1 can of soda water and garnish with fresh rosemary (or your garnish of choice!).
My apple cider shrub mocktail recipe is a great alternative to traditional holiday drinks. The tangy, fruity flavor will be a hit with your guests, and it’s a fun way to mix things up!
