Shrub (drink)
In terms of mixed drinks, shrub is the name of two different, but related, acidulated beverages. One type of shrub is a fruit liqueur that was popular in 17th and 18th century England, typically made with rum or brandy and mixed with sugar and the juice or rinds of citrus fruit.[1][2][3]
The word shrub can also refer to a
History
The early English version of the shrub arose from the medicinal cordials of the 15th century.[1] The drink gained popularity among smugglers in the 1680s trying to avoid paying import taxes for goods shipped from mainland Europe:[1][3] To avoid detection, smugglers would sometimes sink barrels of spirits off-shore to be retrieved later;[1] the addition of fruit flavours aided in masking the taste of alcohol fouled by sea water.[1] [unreliable source?] An early Rum Shrub recipe from The English and Australian Cookery Book called for almonds, cloves, cassia, and the peel of oranges, "infused in the best rum," with the addition of a thread of ambergris and vanilla. "Good shrub is very delicious, and were it fashionable it would obtain rank as a liqueur."[10]
As a mixture of fruit and alcohol, shrub is related to punch, however punches were normally served immediately after mixing the ingredients, whereas shrubs tended to have a higher concentration of flavour and sugar and could be stored for later use, much like a pre-made drink mixer.[1] The shrub was itself a common ingredient in punches, either on its own or as a simple mix with brandy or rum.[1] It was also served during the Christmas season mixed with raisins, honey, lemon, sherry, rum and other spirits.[1] The shrub was sold in most public houses throughout England in the 17th and 18th centuries, although the drink fell out of fashion by the late 1800s.[1]
A proprietary cordial known as Shrub was developed by J. R. Phillips of Bristol. "Rum and Shrub" was a popular drink in Bristol and the west of England in the 20th century long after the convention had died out elsewhere. It is still sold today.[11]
The American version of the shrub has its origins in
21st century usage
The serving of vinegar-based shrub drinks became popular again in 2011 in American restaurants and bars.
Etymology
The term "shrub" is
See also
- Gastrique – Caramelized sugar, deglazed with vinegar
- Oxymel – Mixture of honey and vinegar, used as a medicine
- Posca – Ancient Roman drink
- Raspberry vinegar – drink made from raspberry juice, vinegar and sugar
- Squash (drink) – Non-alcoholic concentrated syrup
- Switchel – Type of drink containing vinegar and ginger
- Sekanjabin – sour and sweet drink
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Oakley, Tim (August 9, 2011). "Shrubs". Class Magazine. Difford's Guide. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "shrub2". Oxford Lexico. Oxford University Press. February 2020. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Toland, Bill (September 6, 2012). "Spirits: Vinegary 'shrubs' are growing on people". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Gelt, Jessica (May 26, 2012). "What's shaking in the cocktail scene? Shrubs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Christians, Lindsay (May 8, 2012). "Salud! Shrubs for sipping, not clipping". 77 Square. madison.com. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1592537976. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "Sharp as a Tack - DIY drinking vinegars and shrubs are a snap to make at home". Imbibe (37). May–June 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1603582865. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
shrub.
- ^ Virbila, S. Irene (February 10, 2012). "When is a shrub not a bush? Hint: when you can drink it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Abbott, Edward (1864). The English and Australian Cookery Book.
- ^ "Phillips of Bristol Shrub (Old English Alcoholic Cordial)". Master of Malt.
- ^ a b c d Gill, Alexandra (August 28, 2012). "Cocktails take an acid trip". Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Brockhoff, Anne (May 15, 2012). "Bartenders revive the tang of old-time 'shrubs' in modern cocktails". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "Syphons, soda and shrub". Good Housekeeping. 11. University of Michigan: Hearst Corporation: 164. 1890. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c D'Ambrosio, Felicia (June 12, 2012). "Mind the Shrubs: A Colonial Cocktail Ingredient Is Back in Vogue". The Drink Nation. Fruition Capital. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Millman, China (November 16, 2011). "Harvest meets cocktail: Vegetable fruit vinegar beverage is reborn as tangy drink mixer". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Simonson, Robert (October 11, 2011). "Make Mine a Vinegar Solution". New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Sterling, Justine (September 6, 2012). "Trend: Tangy Vinegar Cocktails". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ a b "65. Because shrubs are the new bitters". The Grid. Torstar. June 27, 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-07-10. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Orr, Gillian (February 10, 2012). "Sweet on sour: Vinegar adds an intriguing acid twist to everything from roasts to cocktails". The Independent. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Crisp, Regan (August 17, 2022). "A Culture of Drinks: How Fermented Beverages Are Changing Café Menus". Fresh Cup. Fresh Cup. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "English: shrub2". Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged (10th ed.). William Collins Sons & Co. 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
Further reading
- Michael Dietsch, Shrubs: An Old Fashioned Drink for Modern Times, Countryman Press (October 6, 2014), hardcover, 224 pages ISBN 978-1581572445