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Elderberry Shrub

Elderberry shrub with tangy apple cider vinegar and deep plum elderberry syrup—mixed into a bright instant tonic in just 5 minutes. Chill briefly, then pour over ice and top with sparkling water for a tart, old-fashioned sipper.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Elderberry syrup
  • 1 cup elderberry syrup
Apple cider vinegar
  • 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
Sparkling water for serving
  • 1 sparkling water, for serving
Ice for serving
  • 1 ice, for serving

Equipment

  • 1 jar

Method
 

Mix the shrub concentrate
  1. In a jar, whisk together the elderberry syrup and apple cider vinegar until fully combined, using firm strokes until smooth and uniform. Stop when no streaks remain.
  2. Cover the jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Keep it chilled until ready to serve.
Serve
  1. Fill a glass with ice and pour in 2 to 3 tablespoons of the shrub mixture. The concentrate should pool slightly at the bottom over the ice.
  2. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Stir just until the drink looks evenly cloudy and the ice starts to frost.
  3. Taste and adjust the ratio of shrub to sparkling water to preference. Aim for a tart balance—more shrub for a stronger tang.
Store
  1. Store any remaining shrub concentrate in the fridge for up to two weeks. Keep it tightly covered so the flavor stays consistent.

Notes

Pro tip: start with a small splash of shrub and add more, since the tang intensifies as it sits. Refrigerate the concentrate for up to 2 weeks; keep serving water separate so it stays fizzy. Freezing isn’t recommended because carbonation can be affected after thawing. For a lighter option, use a no-sugar-added elderberry syrup if your syrup label supports it.