Have you ever heard of a Mango Shrub?
It’s one of those refreshing drinks that instantly tastes like summer. Honestly, all you need is a few ice cubes and a splash of sparkling water – and boom, summer in a glass.
But wait a second… where does the shrub actually come from?
The story behind it is pretty cool – so come along for a quick little journey through the world of shrubs.
A Short History of the Shrub
The concept of the shrub goes way back to colonial times. Back then, people preserved fruit with vinegar – and out of that came this idea of a “shrub.” The word itself has Arabic roots: sharab means “drink” or “elixir.” From the Arabic world, the concept traveled to Europe, and then on to the New World. In America, shrubs became super popular – a clever way to preserve fruit and turn it into something delicious to drink.
homemade Mango Shrub
Just a heads up: I use grams and Celsius degrees in all my recipes, as I’m based in Germany.
Equipment
- 1 Jar with lid
Ingredients
- 1 piece mango
- 3 twigs mint
- 1 piece ginger thumbsize
- 300 g sugar
- 300 g apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Peel the mango and ginger, then cut them into thumb-sized cubes.
- Place them in a large sealable jar together with the mint.
- Sprinkle the sugar on top and let it sit for 24 hours (out of direct sunlight), stirring occasionally.
- After 24 hours, add the apple cider vinegar and mix everything well.
- Let it infuse for another 24 hours, then strain through a sieve into a clean, sterilized bottle.
- Store in the fridge and enjoy!
Nutrition
The nutritional values are automatically calculated – I use them as a rough guide myself when I want to keep track.
Disclaimer
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So What Makes a Mango Shrub So Special?
Simple answer: the mango itself. And yes, it has to be ripe.
I once made this with a mango that wasn’t quite there yet – and let’s just say it didn’t blow me away. But if you find a beautifully ripe one, the balance between sweetness and acidity is absolutely perfect. So take your time and pick the ripest mango you can find – trust me, that’s the secret to the best mango shrub.
What Can You Do with a Mango Shrub?
So much!
You can pour it over ice with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic summer refresher. Or top it off with prosecco for an easy summer cocktail. It also makes a lovely homemade gift for friends and family – just bottle it up nicely and add a handwritten tag. Plus, it keeps in the fridge for weeks… though I doubt it’ll last that long. 😉
How to Make a Mango Shrub
It’s easy! Here’s what you’ll need for your own homemade mango shrub:
- 1 ripe mango
- A small piece of fresh ginger
- A few sprigs of mint
- Sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- And: time (about 2 days)
Day 1: Slice the mango, grate the ginger, and combine both with the mint and sugar in a jar. Let it sit and macerate – the fruit will release all its juices.
After Day 1.
This is what your shrub will look like after the first day. Make sure to give it a stir now and then!
Day 2: Add apple cider vinegar, stir everything together, and let it infuse for another 24 hours.
After Day 2
Here’s how it looks once the vinegar is added and the magic starts to happen.
Now just strain it into a clean, sterilized bottle. That’s it!
So there you have it – your homemade mango shrub. It’s a drink, a little story, and a pause from the everyday.
Try it out and take a small, delicious break.
Cheers to summer moments in a glass!
love,
Sabrina 💛
