Drinking Vinegar Shrub Syrup Calculator
Calculate fruit, sugar, and vinegar ratios for drinking vinegar shrubs.
Scale recipes for any batch size.
What is a shrub?
A shrub (also called a drinking vinegar) is a concentrated syrup made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar. It dates back centuries as a way to preserve fruit before refrigeration. Today shrubs are mixed with sparkling water for a refreshing soda or used as a cocktail ingredient.
The basic shrub ratio: The classic ratio is 1:1:1 by weight — equal parts fruit, sugar, and vinegar.
For a milder, more fruit-forward shrub: 2:1:1 (double fruit). For a tarter, more vinegar-forward shrub: 1:1:1.5.
Two methods:
-
Cold process (recommended): Mix fruit and sugar, refrigerate 1–3 days until syrupy. Strain out fruit. Add vinegar. Age 1 week minimum. Produces brighter, fresher flavors.
-
Hot process: Cook fruit, sugar, and a little water into a syrup. Cool. Add vinegar. Ready faster but loses some fresh flavor.
Sugar options and their effect:
| Sugar Type | Flavor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White granulated | Clean, lets fruit shine | Standard choice |
| Raw / turbinado | Slight molasses | Adds warmth |
| Brown sugar | Rich, caramel | Pairs well with stone fruit |
| Honey | Floral, complex | Use 3/4 volume (sweeter) |
| Coconut sugar | Nutty, low-glycemic | Dissolves slower |
Vinegar options:
| Vinegar | Acidity | Best Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar | 5% | Berries, stone fruit, apple |
| White wine vinegar | 6% | Citrus, herbs, melon |
| Red wine vinegar | 6% | Dark berries, plum, fig |
| Champagne vinegar | 6% | Delicate fruits, pear |
| Rice vinegar | 4% | Tropical fruits, ginger |
| Balsamic | 6% | Strawberry, peach (use sparingly) |
Worked example: Making a strawberry shrub, 500 mL (about 2 cups) final volume:
- 1:1:1 ratio
- Fruit: 250 g strawberries (hulled, quartered)
- Sugar: 250 g white granulated
- Vinegar: 250 mL apple cider vinegar
- Cold process: mix fruit + sugar, refrigerate 2 days, strain, add vinegar
- Age 1 week in refrigerator
- Yield: ~400–450 mL after straining out fruit pulp (approx 85% yield)
Serving ratios:
- Sparkling water: 1 part shrub to 4–5 parts sparkling water
- Cocktail: 15–30 mL (0.5–1 oz) per drink
- Salad dressing: 1 part shrub to 2 parts olive oil
Shelf life: The combination of sugar and vinegar preserves the shrub. Stored in a sealed glass bottle in the refrigerator, a shrub lasts 6–12 months. The flavor mellows and improves over the first month.
Batch scaling: Scale all three ingredients proportionally. The formula stays the same regardless of batch size. Larger batches may need an extra day of maceration.