Drinking Vinegar Shrub Syrup Calculator
Calculate fruit, sugar, and vinegar ratios for drinking shrubs using cold or hot-process methods.
Scale from 1 cup to gallon batches with vinegar options.
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.
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This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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