Rhubarb Pineapple Balsamic Shrub

Rhubarb is one of my favorite veggies. I love the color, the flavor, and how delicious it is in a pie, crisp, and canned into jam or syrup. It is pretty easy to get 1 3/4 cup chopped rhubarb; even a new gardener can cultivate this amount. It is also available in grocery stores. Just be sure to be careful with the leaves as they are poisonous.

This shrub recipe is absolutely a good one for newbies to try. However, it is a bold shrub, that is strong tasting because of the balsamic vinegar. Remember as you make it, it will be diluted significantly with water and/or spirits. It won’t taste as strong as it smells. Don’t let that make you shy away. I have made a great many shrub recipes and this remains of the very best. One addition I made that was NOT my favorite was with one batch I added pickling spice, which included bay leaves. It wasn’t that good. Stick with the pepper, and the fruit mix, as that really results in a sweet-tart-savory mix that is delicious and oh-so-good with tequila. You don’t have to mix it with tequila of course but if that’s your libation of choice, you are in for a real treat.

• 1 ¾ cup chopped rhubarb
• ¼ cup chopped fresh pineapple
• 1 ½ cup granulated sugar (though I wanted to try honey…stay tuned for an update on my next batch)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (delicious- don’t skip, and maybe add more if you’re inclined or use 1 teaspoon of peppercorns)
• 1 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup good quality cider vinegar
• up to 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped

Combine the rhubarb, pineapple, sugar, and pepper in the jar. I used my half gallon jar, but a quart would work. After an hour, give the sugar and fruit a stir and screw on the lid.

Let the mixture sit 24 hours. Add the vinegar, stir, and let the shrub sit for about a week on your countertop. Stir (or shake) daily. After 3-4 days, strain through a sieve into a clean jar. Use a cheesecloth if you care about a little sediment. I did not. Discard solids. Store in the refrigerator.

Rhubarb Pineapple Shrub Cocktail

Combine:

1 part rhubarb pineapple shrub

1 part tequila

2.5 – 3 parts sparkling water

Add the above to a glass full of ice and enjoy. This is over the moon delicious in a weird, spicy-sweet vinegar-y way. The pepper is good in the same way that a Bloody Mary is good in a peppery, savory way.

If you are a mason jar drinker like me, a half pint wide mouth jar accommodates:

¼ shrub

¼ cup tequila

½- ¾ cup of sparkling water and several large ice cubes.

That makes a strong and bold tasting drink. You might split it between two jars just to start out. Everything in moderation, Dear Readers 😉