Favourite Strawberry Shrub Recipe
“Make a strawberry shrub”, Jody said. There’s a point in the summer when the strawberries are overflowing at the market and you can pick up a flat dirt cheap. Any good farmer will warn you though– you need to use up these berries quick! So we immediately turned to a recipe we discovered a few years ago for a ‘shrub’.
There’s a certain thrill in pouring yourself a glass of something icy, fizzy, and tangy, especially when it’s made with fresh berries and a dash of kitchen alchemy. Enter: the Strawberry Shrub.
This isn’t your average sweet drink. A strawberry shrub is bold, bright and a little old-school! And it’s exactly what we’re craving when the sun is high, the strawberries are ripe, and the thought of turning on the oven sounds like a crime.
Wait—What Is a Shrub?
Historically speaking, a shrub is a vinegar-based syrup that was wildly popular before refrigeration came along. Long before we could toss fruit into the freezer or smoothie ourselves into hydration, folks preserved seasonal fruit in sugar and vinegar, essentially creating a sweet-tart concentrate that could last months.
The word “shrub” comes from the Arabic word “sharāb,” meaning “to drink,” and the technique was later embraced in Colonial America. Think of it as the original soda syrup, made with what you had, built to refresh.
Today, shrubs are having a major revival in the culinary world, and we’re here for it. They’re non-alcoholic (or add some if you like), easily customizable, and give you that zing we’re all after on a hot day.
Why We Love This Strawberry Shrub
- It’s fast.
- It’s no-cook.
- It’s absolutely bursting with strawberry flavour.
- It gives you something wildly refreshing that feels way fancier than the effort involved.
It’s also one of our favourite teaching moments in class—because once people taste it, they always ask, “Wait, what’s in this again?”
Let’s get to it. This recipe makes enough shrub for 6-8 drinks. Feel free to double it.
- Prep Time: 5-10 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 Minutes
- Yield: 6-8 Servings
Ingredients
- A heaping 1/2 pint of ripe strawberries, washed and hulled
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (we love BRAGG Organic ACV for its zing and quality)
- Ice, sparkling water, and fresh mint for garnish
- Optional: gin, vodka or prosecco
Instructions
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In a large pitcher or bowl, mash the strawberries with sugar and apple cider vinegar. Really go for it–think “muddle like a mojito” energy.
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Stir for a couple of minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is juicy, fragrant, and pink.
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Strain if you like (or leave it pulpy if that’s your jam).
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To serve: Pour 2 ounces of shrub base into a rocks glass. Fill with ice, top with sparkling water, and finish with a sprig of fresh mint. Spike it up if you like!
Notes
Strawberry Shrub Substitutions & Creative Twists
The best part? Once you get the hang of shrubs, you can freestyle.
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No strawberries? Try raspberries, blackberries, peaches, or cherries.
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No white sugar? Use honey or maple syrup (note: they may take a bit longer to dissolve).
Cook With Us!
Like this recipe? You should try cooking with us! Start with an on-demand pre-recorded class, or jump in to the best experience with our live classes!
We have taken many classes over several years, and they never disappoint! Kristie & team always have great pointers and tricks to learn in the video. We love the Japanese burgers, and they are always a hit with guests. That's the thing: you make the recipe at home, it doesn't take a long time, and the result is so good that you want to make it again and again. Just try one, you'll see. 🙂I had such a fantastic experience at the cooking class! My daughter and I had an amazing time — our Bao Buns and Crispy Chicken turned out delicious, and we learned so much throughout the session. It was a fun, inspiring, and rewarding evening. I can’t wait to come back for another class. Highly recommend!Our virtual cooking class experience was top notch! Well organized, wonderfully communicated, and entertaining! A delicious outcome which boosted our confidence to try more challenging recipes in the future. Highly recommend!I have taken a few classes in the past - always find the products delicious, and I enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up 🙂
I subscribe the updates and get links to recipes - I recently made the Olive Oil Lemon cake. It turned out delicious – as you said in the description, very moist! My daughter has a birthday in strawberry season and typically she asks for strawberry shortcake with a traditional shortcake recipe… I served the lemon came this weekend with a bit of whipping cream and fresh strawberries (your picture was quite enticing) and her comment was that her birthday request this year would be to replace the traditional shortcake with this recipe!I've taken several on-line cooking classes from The Culinary Studio and have really enjoyed each one. The recipes are delicious and the instructions are very well laid out. I always learn new cooking tips and skills.It has been most likely a year and a half since I’ve made moussaka. Having the recording available was a godsend. So good and lots of leftovers! Having the recording is priceless!
I made Dan Dan noodles last month and again referred to the recording as it has been awhile. I was grateful for the reminders, tips and tricks. Not to mention, I love to cook with Kirstie and Jody. They make it so much fun!
Most of the meals I make are from your repertoire. I think I have close to 60!Love these ladies! Classes are easy to follow, informative, filled with all kinds of tricks & tips and best of all DELICIOUS!! This is our "night out" dining adventure that we can re-do & show off to our family & friends.My husband and I joined the Valentine's Day Date Night cooking class. Very enjoyable experience full of informative tips and thorough explanations followed by a delectable meal. Thank you Kirstie & Jodie. We'll be back!I recently did an online Lamb Briyani class. It used some cooking techniques I wasn't familiar with and produced a dish that was as tasty as the best Indian food I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying.I have done a few classes with the Culinary Studio and always enjoy the classes and the fabulous meals. They deliver the food to my door all prepped for the class if I like (which I do!). Highly recommended.We did a virtual zoom cooking class. It was better than cooking classes we have done in a actual class. We really enjoyed our ourselves. We have made the meal a couple of times since the class. We have friends over for the session and have great restaurant quality mealsThe Culinary Studio is an wonderful online chef duo!
You will learn delicious recipes taught in real time from start to end by two good friends who want nothing more than to teach you how to cook and and have fun doing it. Class presentation is practical and encouraging with one chef starting and one playing 'catch up' so you do not miss anything and no question will go unanswered!
The recipe with food pack is perfectly packaged and always arrives on time to make it easy so you do not have to shop!
Several recipes from the Culinary Studio are in our regular rotation!
Excited to keep cooking with you Kirstie and Jody!Online classes have allowed me the convenience to open my computer and learn in the comfort of my home and to do the class on my own schedule rather than missing out due to life's interruptions. Classes are paced well and the chef's are ready to answer your cooking questions even if they are unrelated to the class. I have used the recipes frequently in my day to day life and recently at an event where I overhead participants raving about the soup and cookies I had prepared, which were from Culinary Studio class recipes.
I was at the Studio for the very first class they held and I have continued to take classes for the past 13 years. While some things have changed over the years, the quality, knowledge and skills Jody and Kirstie bring to each class has not.The skills I learned through the their instruction have been used daily.To Chefs Kirstie & Jody! My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the recipes and techniques we have acquired by following your live sessions and on-demand courses available on your website. You have a casual and an informative style that is very appealing. Most importantly both of you thrive on good food and beverage as much as we do! Bravo - we hope your future includes many more years of teaching and developing new dishes. Thank you. 🙂 -
Out of sparkling water? Try tonic water, ginger ale, or club soda.
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Want to spike it? A splash of gin, vodka, or prosecco turns this into a next-level cocktail.
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Prefer it sweeter? Add an extra teaspoon of sugar to your glass.
Pro Tips from Jody & Kirstie’s Kitchens
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Let it rest: After mashing, let the shrub sit for 10–15 minutes to intensify flavour before serving.
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Make it ahead: The base will keep in the fridge for up to one week or more—and it gets better with time.
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Add some edge: A pinch of black pepper or a slice of ginger muddled in? Game-changer.
What to Know / Avoid for Shrubs
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Don’t skimp on the vinegar. The whole point of a shrub is that bright acidity.
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Don’t over-sweeten. You want that balance between sweet and sharp, like a good lemonade with flair.
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Use ripe fruit. This is not the moment for underripe or bland berries. You want them jammy and juicy.
Storage Recommendations
Pour your shrub base into a clean jar and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to one week, but honestly, it won’t last that long. The flavour deepens the longer it sits, making tomorrow’s drink even better than today’s.
Strawberry Shrub FAQ
Q: Can I make this with frozen strawberries?
A: Absolutely! Thaw them first so they’re easier to mash. Bonus: they release even more juice.
Q: Can kids drink this?
A: Yes! It’s non-alcoholic and refreshing. But do a taste test, some kids might find the vinegar tang a bit strong.
Q: Can I use other types of vinegar?
A: You can! White wine vinegar or champagne vinegar both work well. Avoid balsamic and just plain white vinegar, as it overpowers.
Q: Is this probiotic?
A: While apple cider vinegar has some probiotic properties, this isn’t a fermented drink, just a delicious one.
