How to Make Your Own Shrub

These DIY pear, pomegranate and lemon-ginger shrubs can be used to create festive, flavorful mocktails.

By Camille Berry | Experience Life

Makes 4 cups
Prep Time 15 minutes active, 4 days inactive
Cook Time 0 minutes

Ingredients

Pear Shrub

5 ripe pears, roughly chopped
1½ cups cane sugar
1½ cups apple-cider vinegar

Lemon-Ginger Shrub

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 4 or 5 lemons)
2-inch ginger root, peeled and grated
1½ cups cane sugar
1½ cups apple-cider vinegar

Pomegranate Shrub

1½ cups pomegranate seeds (from about 1 large pomegranate) or ¾ cup pomegranate juice
1½ cups white cane sugar
1½ cups apple-cider vinegar

Directions

Pear Shrub:

STEP 1

Place the pears in a large jar and add the sugar. Secure the lid and shake well to combine. Leave for 48 hours at room temperature, shaking occasionally. If needed, gently press the pears with a spoon to submerge them in their juices as they break down.

STEP 2

After 48 hours, strain the pears from the liquid, gently pressing the fruit to expel any remaining juice. Stir the vinegar into the mixture and secure the lid. Leave the mixture for another 48 hours at room temperature, shaking occasionally.

STEP 3

Refrigerate until ready for use. Store in the refrigerator for up to six months.

STEP 4

Add a bit of this shrub to your favorite mocktail or use it in one of the recipes featured below.

Lemon-Ginger Shrub:

STEP 1

Combine the lemon juice, grated ginger, and sugar in a large jar. Tighten the lid and shake well. Allow the mixture to stand at room temperature for 48 hours, shaking the jar occasionally.

STEP 2

After 48 hours, strain the ginger from the liquid. Stir the vinegar into the mixture and secure the lid. Leave the mixture for another 48 hours at room temperature, shaking occasionally.

STEP 3

Refrigerate until ready for use. Store in the refrigerator for up to six months.

STEP 4

Add a bit of this shrub to your favorite mocktail or use it in one of the recipes below.

Pomegranate Shrub:

STEP 1

If using pomegranate seeds, gently crush them with a wooden spoon to release their juices, then transfer to a large jar. Alternatively, simply pour the pomegranate juice into a large jar.

STEP 2

Add the sugar and stir. Secure the lid and shake well to combine. Allow the mixture to stand at room temperature for 48 hours, shaking the jar occasionally.

STEP 3

After 48 hours, strain the seeds (if using) from the liquid, gently pressing the seeds to extract all their juice. Stir the vinegar into the mixture and secure the lid.

STEP 4

Leave the mixture for another 48 hours at room temperature, shaking occasionally.

STEP 5

Refrigerate until ready for use. Store in the refrigerator for up to six months.

STEP 6

Add a bit of this shrub to your favorite mocktail or use it in one of the recipes below.

Find a collection of recipes to for your shrubs at “6 Shrub-Based Winter Mocktails.”

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