Last month, on DC Shop Small Saturday, I placed a few orders, including one from Salt and Sundry. I splurged on a few items I might not typically pick up, all in the name of supporting small business. That meant stocking up on a few cocktail accouterments, one of which is a drinking vinegar from Mother Shrub, a company that actually happens to be based outside of Richmond!
First, What is a Drinking Vinegar, You May Ask?
Drinking vinegar is exactly what it sounds like: vinegar you drink. And, a shrub is a vinegar that is mixed with sweetener and fruit. In the case of Mother Shrub’s Grapefruit Shrub, it’s apple cider vinegar mixed with pink grapefruit and organic cane sugar.
You can use a drinking vinegar, or a shrub, in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. In fact, I first tried drinking vinegar in a mocktail while I was in Colorado last summer — I had my only ocular migraine ever while we were out at a cocktail bar and the bartender thought the carbonation might help. Soda, rosemary, and pineapple shrub were the ingredients.
Shrubs have become standard fare in hipster cocktail bars and I love the little bit of zest they add to a cocktail. It’s a simple little add in that gives an otherwise plain cocktail or non-alcoholic drink depth of flavor and a touch of something special.
OUTFIT DETAILS: I got a bunch of questions when I posted this dress on my Insta stories but, unfortunately, it’s an old find from Target! However, they do still carry a very similar style: check out this gingham dress for just $50. I did also find this similar one from J.Crew Factory and linked a few more options below. Necklace is from Mallory Shelter and my nails, for all you socially distancing, are press-on.
Grapefruit Shrub Cocktail
This grapefruit shrub cocktail is a refreshing drink, perfect for a warm day — a different take on a Paloma, really. From the mezcal, you just get a bit of smokiness, but the overall flavor is one of a delicious, spritzy soda.
1 oz. mezcal
1 oz. grapefruit shrub
1/2 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. soda water
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail glass, stir, and add a big ice cube. Sip. Enjoy!
If you’re looking to stock your bar cart with essentials, check out this post, or the items below. And, if you need all the fixins for cocktails, I’ve got them detailed in this post. Cheers!
Shrubs are super fun and easy to make at home. I use fruit that’s about to go bad. Last summer, I made a peach shrub and used it in cocktails and on ice cream!