Raspberry Fruit Vinegar, also known as Raspberry Shrub
Shrubs, a drinkable form of fruit flavored vinegar, have been popular in contemporary mixology for a while, but they are far, far older. Historic Shrub - and Why You Should Drink It! In the 1700s, "shrub" denoted an alcoholic beverage. By the nineteenth century, "shrub" has moved to a non-alcoholic version. Perhaps to keep that distinction clear, the name of the drink has changed to "fruit vinegar,' but the change is not always consistent. "Shrub" still appears as an interchangeable name, although "fruit vinegar" is more preponderant. My first encounter with the concept of a drinkable vinegar came from The Kentucky Housewife of 1839, which is still one of my favorite period cookbooks. Important Lessons Learned Along the Way I first tried making shrub a number of years ago, primarily for historic interest. I learned several valuable (and rather funny) lessons from my first experience. 1. Strain the shrub.