Apple Cardamom Shrub

Originally published in January 2020; updated October 2021

Honestly, I haven’t been into cocktails lately. I’m more into drinks I can sip on without having to worry about my blood alcohol level and whether or not I’m going to need a nap later because I decided to go back for seconds. I like drinks that taste great and make me feel amazing, like this Apple Cardamom Shrub mocktail. It’s sweet, tart, tangy, and effervescent all at the same time which makes it feel like a fancy cocktail, but in reality it’s a mocktail you could sip on all day long if you wanted to!

The base of this mocktail is called a shrub. No, not the kind you grow in your yard, this one you make in your kitchen! If you’ve never had one before, a shrub is basically a sweetened vinegar-based syrup, often called ‘drinking vinegars’. They’re typically comprised of 3 ingredients; fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Of course you can add spices and herbs like I did here with the green cardamom pods too if you want!

The Shrub

There are 2 ways to make a shrub…cold and hot process. For this Apple Cardamom Shrub Syrup we are going with the simplest method, the cold process method.

To make a cold process shrub you simply combine shredded apples in a large glass jar with brown sugar and cracked cardamom pods. Pour apple cider vinegar over the top. Stir to combine, seal the lid on tight, and place in a cool dark place, like your pantry for 3-7 days. Everyday, shake or stir the shrub well. On day 3 begin tasting the liquid, once the flavor is intense enough for you and all of the brown sugar has dissolved, strain out the solids and refrigerate the syrup for over a month.

Looking for apple inspired mocktails to try in the new year? Here are four more ways you can indulge in celebratory sips without the libations!

Sparkling Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail || Yes to Yolks

Sparkling Berry Apple Cocktail || The Little Epicurean

Caramel Apple Cocktail || Savor the Flavour

Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Mimosa || Watch What U Eat

Apple Cardamom Shrub

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Nutritional Information

Ingredients

• 2 large Stemilt Piñata® apples, cored and grated on a box grater
• 5-7 green cardamom pods gently cracked open with the back of a knife
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of apple cider vinegar

Looking for apple inspired mocktail? This Apple Cardamom Shrub is sweet, tart, tangy, and effervescent all at the same time, making it feel like a fancy cocktail, but in reality, it's a mocktail you could sip on all day long!

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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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• Yield
  2 cups servings
• Prep time
  00:10
• Cook time
  23:59
• Total time
  23:59
• Cuisine
  Indian
• In Category
  Drinks
• Level
  Easy

Instructions

1. Combine the shredded apples in a large glass jar with the brown sugar and cracked cardamom pods.
2. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the top.
3. Stir to combine, seal the lid on tight, and place in a cool dark place, like your pantry for 3-7 days.
4. Everyday, shake or stir the shrub well. On day 3 begin tasting the liquid, once the flavor is intense enough for you and all of the brown sugar has dissolved, strain out the solids.
5. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
6. To make an Apple Cardamom Shrub mocktail:
7. 3-4 tablespoons Apple Cardamom Shrub syrup
8. Sparkling water or club soda
9. Ice
10. Fill a glass with ice. Add the desired amount of Apple Cardamom Shrub, fill to the top with sparkling water or club soda. Stir and serve.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving

• Calories: 431