Shrub Drinks

What Is A Shrub Drink?

I'm always intrigued by just how cocktails get their names-- and also after searching my fair share of bar menus, there is one term particularly I have actually constantly contemplated: the shrub. What makes a drink a shrub? And how did this word, which I connect with a well-groomed yard, happened related to cocktails?

"Shrub" is really the name of 2 different alcohol-related refreshments, and also vinegar plays a pretty large role in this drink's history. One kind is a fruit liqueur that was specifically prominent in 17th century England, made with rum or brandy, sugar, fruit as well as citrus juice-- though vinegar was used rather than citrus to protect berries in the off-season. This liqueur would after that be blended with flat or sparkling water to produce an alcoholic drink. The other type of shrub is a sweetened vinegar-based syrup that can be utilized to make a drink-- this is also called "drinking vinegar," as well as is typically infused with fruit juice, natural herbs as well as seasonings.

The history of words "shrub" originates from the Arabic sharbah, which indicates "a beverage," though "sherbet" and "syrup additionally originated from this origin. Do I notice a theme? Shrubs extend back to the Babylonians, that blended date vinegar into water to make it risk-free to consume alcohol, as well as the Romans, that produced posca from combining vinegar and water.