I am slowly going through all the apples we picked at Gabriel Farms and I wanted to make something that wasn’t a sauce, cake or muffin. It’s still unusually hot here and a Apple Vanilla Ginger Shrub was a nice and refreshing alternative to use those apples.
What is a Shrub you ask? It’s a vinegar based syrup that is infused with herbs and fruit and you can use it to make a healthy soda or cocktail.
Apple Vanilla Ginger Shrub
- 1 Cup apples cut into small cubes with the skin on
- 1 Inch of ginger grated with the skin on
- 1 Vanilla pod cut in half and seeds scrapped off
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1/3 Cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 Cup Honey
Place all the ingredients in a glass jar and mix well. Cover the jar with a cheese cloth and a rubber band. Keep away from sunlight, ideally store in the cupboard and let sit for 48 hours. Stir every 12 hours. Once you see the apples breaking down after 48 hours strain the fruit out and keep just the concentrate in a glass jar in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to 6 months.
To serve place 2 tablespoons of the concentrate into a glass and top with ice and soda water. Garnish with some rosemary and a cinnamon stick with a few slices of fresh apples.