A Refreshing Strawberry Mint Shrub Recipe
Are you looking for an exciting and unique way to enjoy the delicious flavours of summer? Or to recreate them any time of the year? If so, then a strawberry mint shrub is just the thing. Not only does this drink offers a sweet and tart combination of flavours, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. It’s refreshingly light and perfect for those hot days when you don’t want anything too heavy or sweet. So read on to learn how to make your own strawberry mint shrub!
The drinking shrub story
The making of shrubs is an age-old practice that has been recently gaining popularity. Shrubs, also known as drinking vinegar, are a type of syrup made from fruit, sugar and vinegar. The combination of sweet and tart flavours makes them incredibly versatile and delicious in drinks like cocktails or mocktails. They can also be used to flavour salads, marinades, sauces, jams, jellies and more.
Originating centuries ago as a way to extend the enjoyment of fruits during hot summers when refrigeration was not available, today’s shrub enthusiasts are bringing this traditional beverage back with modern twists on classic recipes. With the right ingredients and simple techniques, anyone can make their own unique version of this ancient drink at home!
Give strawberry mint shrub a try
• An easy and unusual recipe that will have you making this welcome refresher for your friends and family to enjoy.
• The sweet-tart taste of strawberries combined with the cooling flavour of mint makes this an unforgettable beverage.
• You can make it ahead of time so there’s no last-minute rush or lengthy preparation times when entertaining guests. Then you can all just focus on the enjoyment, and experiment with different ways to use it.
• It’s very versatile – add it to sparkling water over ice for a refreshing summer drink or incorporate it into cocktails like mojitos, or dressing for summer salads!
How to make a homemade strawberry mint shrub
Making a strawberry mint shrub is a creative and fun process that results in a refreshing, tangy beverage you can enjoy at any time.
To begin, you will need to acquire your ingredients: frozen strawberries, tart apple cider vinegar, sugar, and fresh mint leaves.
Place the frozen berries in a large bowl with the sugar and stir. Set aside for an hour (or more if needed) for the strawberries to thaw and the sugar to start to dissolve.
Add the strawberry-sugar mix, the vinegar and the mint to a pan and mix well together.
Bring to a boil, and then leave to simmer until it starts to become syrupy. Take the pan off the heat, and strain the syrup and bottle. Cool and store in the fridge – ready to enjoy. Voila!!
TIPS
1. You can use frozen or fresh strawberries for this recipe. For fresh ones, make sure that they are really good and ripe. Wash and hull them then quarter. Leave to macerate in the sugar for longer than with the frozen berries, so that they start to break down. Then proceed with the rest of the recipe.
2. Select the ripest mint leaves, from the tops of the stems, for a more aromatic fresh taste.
3. Bruise the mint leaves to encourage the release of the oils which impart more flavour to the mixture. Make sure to garnish drinks with some fresh mint leave too.
Customize strawberry mint shrub to your taste
Adjust the ratio of strawberries to mint:
Depending on how strong you want the flavour, you can adjust the proportion of strawberries to mint in your shrub recipe. Adding more berries will give it a sweeter, fruitier taste while more mint will add more of a herbaceous, fresh undertone.
Change up the vinegar type:
Instead of apple cider vinegar, try using white wine or rice wine vinegar for a change. These kinds of vinegar are milder than ACV but still acidic enough(5% acetic acid) to preserve your shrub properly. But you can also go all out with white balsamic vinegar, or fruit vinegar with a complimentary flavour e.g. raspberry vinegar (as long as the basic acidity requirements are met).
Spice it up with some heat:
Add a pinch (or two) of cayenne pepper or red chilli flakes for an unexpected kick! Not only does this spice things up but it’ll also enhance all of those delicious berry flavours!
Sweetening ways
Once you taste-test the shrub, you may want to add some honey, or maple syrup, for another level of flavour. It adds both sweetness and body which helps balance out that tartness from the vinegar even further by adding richness to each sip!
You can try 0.75 cups of honey instead of sugar in the recipe and see if that meets your needs.
Use brown sugar, coconut sugar or other sweeteners for taste and calorie variation.
Add other fruits & herbs:
You can top off your strawberry mint shrub recipe by substituting some of the strawberries with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Or, go for a different flavour by using herbs like basil, rosemary or thyme instead of mint.
Happy experimenting and bon appétit!
A few of the many ways to use strawberry mint shrub
1. Mix it with sparkling water for a refreshing, sparkling summer drink. **1-2 tablespoons of a shrub to a regular glass of sparkling(or still) water.
2. Use the shrub to make a delicious strawberry mint margarita – perfect for warm summer nights!
3. Combine equal parts of shrub and Greek yoghurt to create a tangy yet sweet fruit dip that’s great with apples or other seasonal fruits.
4. Create an innovative twist on classic mojitos by using strawberry mint shrub instead of the usual lime juice/simple syrup combination in your favourite recipe.
5. Add just enough of the shrub mixture to lemonade or tonic water to give it an unexpected hint of fruity flavour without overpowering sweetness.
6. Add a dash of the strawberry shrub to salad dressings, marinades, meat glazes and other sauces for an interesting burst of flavour!
This strawberry mint shrub recipe is a delightful way to enjoy the sweet and tart flavours of summer. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-make cocktail or just want a different, summery drink on your dinner table, this fruity delight will do the trick. With its tasty ingredients and simple preparation steps, it’s sure to become one of your favourite recipes in no time.
Serve it with sparkling water for mocktails or add some vodka or gin for a delicious boozy concoction – either way, you can guarantee everyone will be asking for more! So get out there and make yourself a refreshing drink of strawberry mint shrub today!
Strawberry Mint Shrub Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen scales
- Glass bowl
- Chopping board and knife
- Large saucepan
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
- Potato masher
- Ladle
- Strainer
- Funnel
- Clean, sterilised glass jar/bottle with sealable lids
Ingredients
- 350 g frozen strawberries
- 300 – 350 g sugar
- 350 ml apple cider vinegar
- ¼ mint leaves
Instructions
- Rinse the mint leaves, and let them drain off excess water.
- Lightly bruise the leaves with the clean bottom of a knife (carefully), and roughly chop them up.
- In a medium bowl, mix the frozen strawberries and sugar until the sugar is fully combined with the berries. Cover the bowl and let sit, at room temperature for 1 hour, or in the refrigerator overnight.
- Add the strawberry and sugar mixture, with the vinegar and mint to the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir from time to time.
- Use the potato masher to break down any remaining berries, and to further bruise the mint.
- After 15-20 minutes of simmering, or when it starts to take on a syrupy consistency, take it off the heat.
- Strain out all solids using a fine mesh strainer into a clean jug.
- Using the funnel, pour the shrub into an airtight jar/bottle, let it cool and store it in your refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Or you can freeze it for up to 4 months for extended enjoyment. Serve chilled over ice or use it as an ingredient in summer cocktails!
Notes
TIPS
1. You can use frozen or fresh strawberries for this recipe. For fresh ones, make sure that they are really good and ripe. Wash and hull them then quarter. Leave to macerate in the sugar for longer than with the frozen berries, so that they start to break down. Then proceed with the rest of the recipe. 2. Select the ripest mint leaves, from the tops of the stems, for a more aromatic fresh taste. 3. Bruise the mint leaves to encourage the release of the oils which impart more flavour to the mixture. Make sure to garnish drinks with some fresh mint leave too.Customize strawberry mint shrub to your taste
Adjust the ratio of strawberries to mint:
Depending on how strong you want the flavour, you can adjust the proportion of strawberries to mint in your shrub recipe. Adding more berries will give it a sweeter, fruitier taste while more mint will add more of a herbaceous, fresh undertone.Change up the vinegar type:
Instead of apple cider vinegar, try using white wine or rice wine vinegar for a change. These kinds of vinegar are milder than ACV but still acidic enough(5% acetic acid) to preserve your shrub properly. But you can also go all out with white balsamic vinegar, or fruit vinegar with a complimentary flavour e.g. raspberry vinegar (as long as the basic acidity requirements are met).Spice it up with some heat:
Add a pinch (or two) of cayenne pepper or red chilli flakes for an unexpected kick! Not only does this spice things up but it’ll also enhance all of those delicious berry flavours!Sweetening ways
Once you taste-test the shrub, you may want to add some honey, or maple syrup, for another level of flavour. It adds both sweetness and body which helps balance out that tartness from the vinegar even further by adding richness to each sip! You can try 0.75 cups of honey instead of sugar in the recipe and see if that meets your needs. Use brown sugar, coconut sugar or other sweeteners for taste and calorie variation.Add other fruits & herbs:
You can top off your strawberry mint shrub recipe by substituting some of the strawberries with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Or, go for a different flavour by using herbs like basil, rosemary or thyme instead of mint. Happy experimenting and bon appétit!A few of the many ways to use strawberry mint shrub
1. Mix it with sparkling water for a refreshing, sparkling summer drink. **1-2 tablespoons of a shrub to a regular glass of sparkling(or still) water. 2. Use the shrub to make a delicious strawberry mint margarita – perfect for warm summer nights! 3. Combine equal parts of shrub and Greek yoghurt to create a tangy yet sweet fruit dip that’s great with apples or other seasonal fruits. 4. Create an innovative twist on classic mojitos by using strawberry mint shrub instead of the usual lime juice/simple syrup combination in your favourite recipe. 5. Add just enough of the shrub mixture to lemonade or tonic water to give it an unexpected hint of fruity flavour without overpowering sweetness. 6. Add a dash of the strawberry shrub to salad dressings, marinades, meat glazes and other sauces for an interesting burst of flavour!Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.