Blackberry Shrub Recipes

SHRUB

Steps:

• Wash and sterilize a bowl or jar. Add blackberries; cover with sugar. Add thyme and sage. Stir well to combine. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until a pool of juice and syrup forms around the blackberries, 1 to 2 days.
• Remove thyme and sage from the bowl. Place a fine mesh strainer over a separate bowl and pour in blackberry mixture. Press lightly on the solids to expel all the juice.
• Sterilize a glass jar or bottle. Pour in juice and add vinegar. Cover with a lid and shake gently to dissolve any remaining sugar. Let rest until flavors intensify, at least 1 day.

BLACKBERRY SHRUB

Steps:

• Crush berries with sugar, cover and let stand overnight.
• Press through a cheesecloth lined sieve, extracting as much juice as possible.
• Mix in lemon juice.
• Taste for sweetness if too tart, add sugar, stirring until dissolved.
• Pour into bottle, cover and refrigerate.
• Serve as is on the rocks in punch cups or small glasses, or, half fill a tall glass with shrub, add ice, and fill with club soda, or, pour into punch cups and top each serving with a scoop of tart sherbet.

BLACKBERRY-AND-SAGE SHRUB

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive pot (such as stainless steel), combine berries, sugar, and sage. Let stand 1 hour, stirring a few times. Cook over medium heat until warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Add vinegars and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a bare simmer (do not let boil). Remove from heat; let stand at room temperature, uncovered, 24 hours. Remove and discard sage. Strain shrub base; reserve pickled berries (which can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week) for another use. Transfer shrub base to another airtight container; refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 1 month.
• Fill glasses halfway with ice. Top with 1 part shrub base and 4 to 5 parts sparkling water. Stir once; garnish with more sage and fresh berries, if desired. Serve immediately.