Three Holiday Shrub Recipes Perfect For Bourbon Cocktails
If there is one thing that every cocktail party should have on standby, it's a homemade shrub!
Easy to make - most importantly it can be done ahead of time - this vibrant syrup is a unique addition to a number of different beverages (mocktails included). In the spirit of the season, we're whipping up three holiday shrub recipes that are sure to be a major hit! Not to mention all go perfectly with bourbon and ginger beer, which makes your bartending stock list much easier to fill. From spicy ginger cranberry, to herbaceous thyme and blackberry, we've got all the best winter flavor combos covered...even a spiced apple shrub that could moonlight as a boozy bourbon pie.
So round up the troop and break out the coupes because it's time to toast to the season shrub-style, go grab all three recipes below!
- BONUS DIY -
Looking to add a little golden glow to your bar station!? A quick and easy way to get your setup looking stylish is to take mismatched glass bottles from the craft store and give them a swipe ofliquid gold foil for a uniform look. For an extra sparkle, also try painting caps and corks with gold foil for a one of a kind trio that would make for a gorgeous gift as well. Fill these bottles with your shrub creations for an easy do-it-yourself serving station that is boasts instant glam on the cheap!
CRANBERRY GINGER SHRUB
SHRUB INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
2 inch piece of ginger, skin removed and chopped into 4 pieces
1 cup sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
SHRUB DIRECTIONS
Add cranberries, ginger, sugar and vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Reduce to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add to a sterile sealable jar and allow to sit overnight and up to 2 days. Strain out solids and store in a clean sealable jar for up to 3 weeks.
COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS
2 oz bourbon
1 oz cranberry ginger shrub
Ginger beer or tonic water
COCKTAIL DIRECTIONS
Place bourbon and shrub into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well and strain into a coup. Top with ginger beer or tonic water and garnish with fresh sliced cranberries.
SPICED APPLE CIDER SHRUB
SHRUB INGREDIENTS
2 apples chopped
2 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise
1 tsp whole cloves
1 cup sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
SHRUB DIRECTIONS
Add apples, spices, sugar and vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Reduce to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add to a sterile sealable jar and allow to sit overnight and up to 2 days. Strain out solids and store in a clean sealable jar for up to 3 weeks.
COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS
2 oz bourbon
1 oz spiced apple shrub
Ginger beer or tonic water
COCKTAIL DIRECTIONS
Place bourbon and shrub into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well and strain into a coup. Top with ginger beer or tonic water and garnish with an apple slice studded with whole cloves.
BLACKBERRY THYME SHRUB
SHRUB INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
1 small bunch of fresh thyme
1 cup sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
SHRUB DIRECTIONS
Add berries, sugar and vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Reduce to low, add the fresh thyme and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add to a sterile sealable jar and allow to sit overnight and up to 2 days. Strain out solids and store in a clean sealable jar for up to 3 weeks.
COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS
2 oz bourbon
1 oz blackberry thyme shrub
Ginger beer or tonic water
COCKTAIL DIRECTIONS
Place bourbon and shrub into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well and strain into a coup. Top with ginger beer or tonic water and garnish with fresh blackberries and an herb sprig.
