Before there was Coca-Cola, there were shrubs. Not the kind that grow in your garden, but a sweet-and-sour drinking vinegar that’s irresistible, especially in hot weather. Infused with fruit, herbs, and spices, shrubs not only slake your thirst but also provide an inventive way to preserve seasonal bounty. And just like baking sourdough and fermenting your own sauerkraut, shrubs are on the verge of a comeback.
Shrubs are more than a drink. They’re a tradition with deep roots that stretch from ancient medicine-makers to seafarers, pirates, and hard-working early American colonists, all the way to the mixologist at your local hipster bar. For good reason, too: Shrubs taste delicious and are one of the easiest things you can make in your kitchen….