What's The Difference Between A Simple Syrup And A Shrub?

If you enjoy playing bartender, there are several simple ways to make yourself feel like a seasoned mixologist. However, it all starts with having a well-stocked bar, which is more than just having a great collection of liquors (though that doesn't hurt). While simple syrups are an essential component for any bar, shrubs can infuse your concoctions with that "grown-up" complexity to make your cocktails taste professional. They may not sound appetizing (especially when referred to as drinking vinegars), but vinegar-based shrub syrups have a fruity sweet-sour flavor that complements lots of drinks, from simple gin-based ones to whiskey sours and even non-alcoholic beverages.

A shrub syrup is made by mixing fruit and sugar, and then combining it with vinegar to preserve the concoction. The possible combinations are endless since you can add various spices to the mix to make more complex, layered flavors. While simple syrups can also be infused, their flavors are less nuanced than those of a shrub. The latter also offers some health benefits, especially if made with specific vinegars that are rich in probiotics. Ultimately, your home bar should feature both, since shrubs and simple syrups aren't exactly interchangeable. However, they're both relatively easy to make and have long shelf lives, so go ahead and stock both. Trying them side by side is the best way to understand the finer differences between the two, but we'll take a crack at giving you a sense. 

A basic simple syrup is made using a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. The mixture is heated till the sugar dissolves, cooled down, and then stored. It can also be infused with herbs and fruits as it cools . The process of making drinking vinegar has a few more steps and resembles pickling, except you use sugar instead of salt. The quick method resembles the simple syrup recipe and involves simmering fruit, sugar, and vinegar together to infuse the flavors and then straining the mixture. 

The cold method takes longer but results in a shrub that's more flavorful and retains more of its digestive benefits. Here, you use time instead of heat to do the infusing by leaving the fruit-sugar-vinegar mixture at room temperature for a day or two till the flavors meld together. It's best to use a natural, unfiltered variety such as apple cider or red wine vinegar to add complexity and those with "the mother" if you want those probiotic qualities. 

The main use of a simple syrup is to easily add sweetness to a cocktail. While infused syrups can add a few more flavor notes, it is predominantly the sweetness that comes through. Thus, simple syrups are versatile and can be used in everything from complex cocktails to simple lemonade and even cold coffees. While the punchy flavor of a shrub requires more judicious use, it is also quite versatile once you figure out which flavors it combines best with. For starters, use it as a substitute for citrus juice in a cocktail, or add a dash to highballs to up their complexity.

The best way to fold shrubs into your cocktails is to just make one (or a couple) and start trying them with various drinks. If you've enjoyed the flavors of wine cocktails like New York sours but find them challenging to make, a shrub can infuse very similar notes into boozy as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Classics that benefit from shrub syrups include gin and tonics, margaritas, and other sweet drinks that need to be balanced with acidity.

Another approach to using shrubs is to base your drinks on them. For example, a strawberry shrub makes a great base that just requires some vodka or gin and club soda to make a flavorful sipper. If you're a fan of the swicy food and drink trend and want to bring some heat into your cocktails, a tangy shrub makes a great starting point for a Bloody Mary, especially if you infuse some spice into it.

Because of their lightly fermented flavor, shrub syrups are great for making non-alcoholic drinks that still taste "adult." Try making a summer cooler made with just shrub and tonic (along with some fruity garnishes if you're motivated enough) and you'll be surprised at how satisfying it is. And if you're ever worried about how you'll use up all that shrub, just remember that in addition to their long shelf life that lets you store them (once opened) for up to a year; shrubs can even be used as salad dressings!