As soon as rhubarb season arrives, I look for every excuse to enjoy those beautiful tart stalks. While rhubarb cake and compote are always favorites, homemade rhubarb shrub is one of my favorite ways to preserve that bright, fresh flavor a little longer. This traditional drinking vinegar perfectly balances the natural tartness of rhubarb with just the right amount of sweetness and the mellow acidity of apple cider vinegar.
Although shrubs have become trendy again in recent years, they’re actually a centuries-old way of preserving fruit. Long before refrigeration, fruit was combined with sugar and vinegar to extend its shelf life while creating a wonderfully refreshing drink concentrate. Today, shrubs are making a well-deserved comeback, and once you’ve tried one, it’s easy to see why.
A splash of rhubarb shrub transforms sparkling water into a refreshing summer drink, but it’s equally delicious in mocktails, cocktails, tonic water, or even homemade lemonade. If you love rhubarb as much as I do, be sure to check out my Rhubarb Cake or my Quick Vanilla Pudding with Rhubarb Raspberry Compote—the perfect easy summer dessert.
Why You’ll Keep Making This Rhubarb Shrub
Homemade rhubarb shrub couldn’t be easier to prepare, and it’s surprisingly versatile. The combination of tart rhubarb, gentle sweetness, and fruity apple cider vinegar creates a perfectly balanced concentrate that isn’t overly sweet or overly acidic.
Another reason I love this recipe is that it gets even better with time. As the flavors meld together during the resting period, the shrub develops a wonderfully complex taste that elevates all kinds of summer drinks. If you’re looking for something different from traditional syrups, this is definitely worth trying.
Helpful Kitchen Tips for the rhubarb shrub
For the best flavor, choose fresh, firm rhubarb stalks. The redder the stalks, the prettier your finished shrub will be.
Store the finished shrub in a clean, sterilized bottle in the refrigerator. It keeps well for several weeks, so you’ll always have a refreshing drink concentrate ready whenever the weather calls for it.
My favorite way to enjoy it is simply mixed with sparkling water and plenty of ice cubes, but it’s also delicious with tonic water, ginger beer, prosecco, or in both cocktails and mocktails. If you’re looking for another fruity variation, you’ll also love my Mango Shrub, which has a naturally sweeter flavor thanks to the ripe mango.
Rhabarber Shrub
Just a heads up: I use grams and Celsius degrees in all my recipes, as I’m based in Germany.
Equipment
- 1 big glas
Ingredients
- 500 g rhubarb
- 300 g sugar
- 300 g apple cider vinegar
- 10 g ginger optional
Instructions
- Cut the rhubarb into thumb-sized pieces. If you're using ginger, slice it as well and add both to a large jar or bottle with a wide opening.500 g rhubarb, 10 g ginger
- Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb, give it a quick stir, and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Keep it out of direct sunlight and stir occasionally.
- After 24 hours, pour in the apple cider vinegar and stir well.300 g sugar
- Let the mixture rest for another 24 hours.300 g apple cider vinegar
- Strain the shrub through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean, sterilized bottle and seal it tightly.
- Store the rhubarb shrub in the refrigerator and enjoy it however you like—my favorite is mixed with sparkling water and plenty of ice.
Notes
One serving equals about 2 tablespoons of rhubarb shrub—perfect for a glass of sparkling water or a refreshing mocktail.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to enjoy rhubarb shrub is simply mixed with sparkling water and plenty of ice. If you’d like to try something different, here are a few delicious combinations:- 2 tbsp rhubarb shrub + sparkling water
- 2 tbsp rhubarb shrub + tonic water
- 2 tbsp rhubarb shrub + Prosecco
- 2 tbsp rhubarb shrub + ginger beer
- 2 tbsp rhubarb shrub + unsweetened iced tea
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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Variations
One of the best things about homemade shrub is how easy it is to customize. Fresh ginger adds a gentle warmth, while strawberries make the flavor even fruitier.
Fresh herbs such as mint or rosemary add a refreshing twist, and if you’re in the mood to experiment, try infusing the shrub with vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon. It’s a simple recipe that leaves plenty of room for creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the rhubarb shrub:
What is a shrub?
A shrub is a traditional fruit drinking vinegar made with fruit, sugar, and vinegar. It’s usually mixed with sparkling water, soda, or used in cocktails and mocktails.
How long does rhubarb shrub last?
Stored in the refrigerator, it keeps well for several weeks.
How do you serve rhubarb shrub?
Mix a few tablespoons with sparkling water, tonic water, ginger beer, prosecco, or use it in cocktails, mocktails, and even salad dressings.
Which vinegar is best for the shrub?
Which vinegar is best?
Apple cider vinegar is my favorite because its mild, fruity flavor pairs perfectly with rhubarb.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to enjoy rhubarb shrub is simply with sparkling water and plenty of ice. If you’d like to mix things up, here are a few delicious combinations:
- 2 tablespoons rhubarb shrub + sparkling water
- 2 tablespoons rhubarb shrub + tonic water
- 2 tablespoons rhubarb shrub + prosecco
- 2 tablespoons rhubarb shrub + ginger beer
- 2 tablespoons rhubarb shrub + unsweetened iced tea
Feel free to adjust the amount depending on how sweet or tart you like your drinks.
Whether you make it with classic sugar or experiment with alternative sweeteners, homemade rhubarb shrub is one of the easiest ways to capture the flavors of spring and summer. Just a small splash adds a bright, tangy twist to sparkling water, cocktails, or mocktails, making every glass feel a little more special.
I hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as I do!
love,
Sabrina 💛
