Cranberry Shrub Recipe

Prep Time:

5 mins

Stand Time:

1 day

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

20

Yield:

2 1/2 Cups

A cranberry shrub might be the most festive drink for everyone at your Thanksgiving table. It’s also a stellar option for any fall gathering or just to have on hand and enjoy a glass yourself.

What is a shrub, you ask? It’s a sweet-tart combination of vinegar, sugar, and fruit that makes a concentrated base to dilute with seltzer or sparkling water. This cranberry version can be made with fresh or frozen berries, bay leaves give it a herbal note, and toasted peppercorns spice it up in the most delightfully subtle way. After a quick simmer, the mix is steeped for 24 hours and then strained (you can keep it in the fridge for up to a month). Finish it with seltzer or turn it into a cocktail, known as a shim, by adding a splash of white wine, vermouth, gin, or vodka, or replace all of the seltzer with sparkling wine.

Making Cranberry Shrub Ahead

This cranberry shrub is a great recipe for holiday entertaining, The shrub base must be made ahead to allow time for the flavors to mingle at room temperature and then for the shrub to chill in the refrigerator. You can make it up to one month before you want to use it.

Directions

Toast peppercorns; add cranberries, sugar, vinegar and bay

In a nonreactive pot, toast peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add cranberries, sugar, both vinegars, and the bay leaves. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a bare simmer (do not let boil). Reduce heat to low and continue cooking until cranberries swell and begin to burst, 3 to 5 minutes.
Let stand for 24 hours; strain and refrigerate:

Remove from heat and let stand at room temperature, uncovered, for 24 hours. Strain mixture, discarding solids. Transfer shrub base to an airtight container and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour, or up to 1 month.
Mix shrub base with seltzer and garnish:

Fill glasses halfway with ice and top with 1 part shrub base and 5 parts seltzer. Stir once, garnish with more cranberries and bay leaves, and serve immediately.

Other Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drinks to Try:

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

72	Calories
0g	Fat
17g	Carbs
0g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 20
Calories 72
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 17g	6%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 0g	0%
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Vitamin A 1mcg	0%
Vitamin C 3mg	3%
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Vitamin E 0mg	2%
Folate 0mcg	0%
Vitamin K 1mcg	1%
Sodium 2mg	0%
Calcium 7mg	1%
Iron 0mg	1%
Magnesium 2mg	1%
Potassium 24mg	1%
Zinc 0mg	0%
Vitamin B12 0mcg	0%
Omega 3 0g