Vegan Raspberry Shrub Syrup

A shrub syrup is made from berries or fruit, not your garden shrub, so put down those pruners!  Shrub syrups have been around since the 17th century, they're also known as drinking vinegars.  The reason vinegar was used in the 17th century was to preserve the fruit harvest during the winters.  You can mix the syrup with liquor, or as I prefer, with sparkling water.  By mixing the syrup with sparkling water you have just created your very own homemade soda.  Perfect for the hot summer days ahead.


Ingredients:

2 cups organic fruit
16 oz. organic vinegar, (apple cider vinegar, wine vinegars, or balsamic)
1 1/2 cups organic pure cane sugar



Method for making syrup:

Place fruit into a sterilized glass jar that has a secure lid.

Pour vinegar into a small pot, over medium heat, bring vinegar to just boiling; remove from heat.

Pour the vinegar over the fruit and secure lid.

Let the mixture cool, and then place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Strain the vinegar through a sieve; keep doing this until the vinegar is no longer cloudy.  You can use the fruit for another purpose if you like (perhaps a salad dressing).

Place the vinegar in a saucepan, add the sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and let cool.

Pour the syrup into a clean jar and store in the refrigerator.

Method for making soda:

Mix 3 tablespoons of the syrup into a glass of sparkling water; taste, and if you prefer a stronger flavor add 1 tablespoon at a time.