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–+ servings
A shrub made of black grapes turned into a beautiful purple grape soda.

Black Grape Shrub

Meg van der Kruik
This grape shrub strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet, with the deep, robust flavor of black table grapes and a hint of warmth from cinnamon. It's a versatile ingredient that adds complexity to cocktails, spritzers, or even a simple glass of sparkling water.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 12 hours
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups
Calories 28 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the shrub:

  • 2 lbs black grapes
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup champagne vinegar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions
 

To make the shrub:

  • Rinse the grapes thoroughly under cold running water. Remove any stems and discard any damaged or bruised grapes.
  • Place the washed grapes in a medium-sized pot. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
  • As the grapes start to soften, use a masher or a large spoon to gently smash them, releasing their juices. Continue cooking until the mixture is simmering and the grapes have partially broken down, about 7-10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat. Add the sugar and champagne vinegar to the pot. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Carefully transfer the grape mixture to a blender. Blend on low to medium speed until the grapes are chopped up, but not pureed, about 15-30 seconds.
  • Pour the blended mixture into a clean glass container. Add the cinnamon sticks and stir to combine.
  • Cover the container and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours, or up to 48 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together.
  • Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl or pitcher. Press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
  • Transfer the strained shrub into a clean bottle or jar. Discard the solids. Keep the shrub refrigerated.

Storage:

  • The shrub can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a month. Shake well before using, as some separation may occur.

How to make grape soda:

  • Fill a glass with ice then add 2-4 tablespoons of the shrub to the glass, depending on taste you could use less or more. Then top with cold sparkling water, stir, and serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3tbspCalories: 28kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword black grape, cocktails, craft cocktails, drinking vinegar, drinks, grape, grape soda, mocktails, shrub, table grapes
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