Rhubarb Shrub Recipe

This easy rhubarb shrub recipe is the perfect way to capture the essence of spring. Combining the fresh, tart flavors of rhubarb with the sweet and tangy essence of sugar and vinegar creates a versatile concoction that elevates cocktails, mocktails, and even culinary dishes to a new level of deliciousness.

From its humble roots in Colonial America to its current status as a modern kitchen staple, the shrub has come a long way. This rhubarb shrub recipe is an easy and delightful way to incorporate spring flavors into your food and drink repertoire. With its perfect balance of sweet, tart, and tangy, this shrub promises to make your beverages and dishes sing with flavor. Whether you're a cocktail lover, a culinary enthusiast, or someone looking to try something new and exciting, this rhubarb shrub recipe will surely impress.

What is a Shrub?

A shrub is a tart, concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar, and vinegar. This delightful mixture, also known as drinking vinegar, was popular in Colonial America for its refreshing taste and ability to preserve fruit long before refrigeration. Today, shrubs are enjoying a resurgence as a key ingredient in craft cocktails and artisanal mocktails, celebrated for their unique flavor profiles and versatility.

Why This Recipe?

This rhubarb shrub recipe is a springtime must-try because it's simple, straightforward, and incredibly rewarding. It's a wonderful way to use a surplus of rhubarb and introduce an imaginative twist to your beverages and dishes. The tartness of the rhubarb, combined with the vinegar's complexity and the sugar's sweetness, creates a perfectly balanced syrup that's bursting with flavor.

Ingredients

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is the star of this recipe, with its distinctively tart flavor that perfectly complements the shrub's sweet and acidic components.

Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is works well because of its fruity notes, but white or red wine vinegar can be used as a substitute, depending on the desired outcome. Vinegar not only preserves the shrub but also imparts an irresistible sharp tanginess.

Sugar

Sugar acts as a sweetener, balancing the rhubarb's tartness and the vinegar's acidity. While regular granulated sugar works fine, experimenting with honey or other sweeteners can yield interesting results.

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Clean bottle or jar for storage

Instructions

Combine chopped rhubarb and sugar in a saucepan and let sit to allow the sugar to start drawing out the rhubarb juices. Cook over medium heat, and stir until the sugar dissolves and the rhubarb is soft.

Remove from heat and add vinegar, stirring well. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing the solids to extract all juices. Let it sit on the counter until it comes to room temperature.

Pour the strained liquid and refrigerate for at least 48 hours before using.

How to Use a Rhubarb Shrub

The Rhubarb Shrub, given its balanced sweet-tart profile, is superbly versatile and can be used in numerous ways.

1. Beverages: It can transform basic beverages into gourmet refreshments. For instance, mix your rhubarb shrub with sparkling water for an easy, refreshing summer drink. Alternatively, the rhubarb shrub adds complexity and depth to traditional gin, vodka, rum, and tequila-based cocktails when used as a cocktail mixer. The shrub can also be mixed with club soda and a dash of citrus juice for a quick, bright, and delicious mocktail.
2. Culinary Applications: Beyond drinks, this tangy syrup also finds its way into the culinary realm. It can be incorporated into salad dressings, offering a surprise element of tanginess that perfectly complements crisp greens and ripe tomatoes. As a meat marinade or glaze for grilled meats, a rhubarb shrub lends a sweet-tart edge that can cut through the dish's richness, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Recipe Variations

A basic rhubarb shrub is nothing short of delicious but also serves as a perfect canvas for creativity. Try infusing your shrub with additional flavors to add intrigue and complexity.

1. Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs like mint or basil can add a pop of freshness to your shrub, while warmer spices like cinnamon, star anise, or cloves can lend a cozy, comforting undercurrent. Ginger is also a great addition, upping the zing factor of your shrub.
2. Fruits: Exploring the addition of different fruits can result in some delightful variations of the basic recipe. Peaches or apricots contribute a sunny sweetness, while berries can lend a deep, jammy richness. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, or limes add a refreshing sharpness that contrasts beautifully with the tang of the vinegar and the tartness of the rhubarb.
3. Vinegar: Lastly, experiment with the vinegar you use. Apple cider vinegar is a great base, but red or white wine vinegar can add a sophisticated note, while balsamic vinegar could create a shrub with a sweet and tangy richness.

Recipe Serving Suggestions

This rhubarb shrub recipe can be the basis for many delicious drinks and dishes.

1. Cocktails and Mocktails: Incorporate this shrub into an array of cocktails — the sharpness of the vinegar cuts through the booze, creating a balanced and layered beverage. For gin or vodka-based cocktails, a splash of this rhubarb shrub can enliven the drink. For a non-alcoholic version, mix the shrub with club soda and a squeeze of fresh lemon for a refreshing and sophisticated mocktail.
2. Culinary Dishes: Use the rhubarb shrub as a secret ingredient in your kitchen. It can be mixed into a tangy salad dressing, combined with mustard and honey for a vibrant marinade, or reduced into a glaze for grilled meats or roasted vegetables. It could also be drizzled over fresh fruit or ice cream for a unique and delicious dessert.