If you could bottle the flavor of summer and sip on it all season long it would most definitely taste like this Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Mocktail!
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Honestly, I haven’t been into cocktails lately. I want a drink I can sip on without having to worry about my blood alcohol level and whether or not I'm going to need a nap later because I decided to go back for seconds. I like drinks that taste great and make me feel amazing, like this Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Mocktail. It’s sweet, tart, tangy, and effervescent all at the same time which makes it feel like a fancy cocktail, but in reality its a mocktail that is actually pretty darn good for you.
What the heck is a shrub and am I supposed to plant it or eat it?
The base of this mocktail is called a shrub. No not the kind you grow in your yard, but one that you make in your kitchen! If you’ve never had one before, a shrub is basically a sweetened vinegar-based syrup, often called drinking vinegar. They're typically comprised of 3 ingredients; fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Of course you can add spices and herbs like I did with the pink peppercorns too!
I personally prefer to use Pompeian Organic Vinegar, in this case I used their Organic Red Wine Vinegar, because Pompeian does not filter or pasteurize their organic vinegars in order to maintain their natural, genuine benefits, and to preserve the presence of the “mother" which is desired for its many health benefits including keeping your stomach acid levels in check! Honestly, if you suffer from heartburn, try sipping on a drink made with a shrub. It works wonders!
Which process is for me, cold or hot?
There are 2 easy ways to make a shrub in your kitchen, which one you choose is up to you depending on how quickly you want to sip on your creation. You can go with my personal favorite, the cold process method, but you will need 3 days for the ingredients to turn into a syrup. Or, if you are in a hurry you can go with the hot process method for practically instant gratification. Both processes create an incredibly delicious syrup and use the same ingredients although the measurements vary slightly.
To make a cold process shrub || For a cold process shrub you will need 1 pound chopped or crushed fruit, 2 teaspoons pink peppercorns, 2 cups sugar, and 2 cups vinegar. Combine the fruit in a bowl with the sugar and let this mixture sit, covered securely with a dishtowel, on your kitchen counter for 3 days. Stirring once a day. The mixture will become very juicy. After 3 days, strain the mixture into a measuring cup, discard the fruit, then combine the syrup with the vinegar. If you aren't the biggest fan of the tart and tangy flavor of vinegar do this slowly, adding ½ cup - ¾ cup at a time then tasting before you add more so that you get a shrub that is just vinegar-y enough for you. Pour the shrub into a jar and store it in the fridge.
To make a hot process shrub || For a hot process the ratios are a tad bit different. You will need 1 pound chopped fruit, 2 teaspoons pink peppercorns, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup vinegar. First make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the sliced fruit and peppercorns then bring the syrup-fruit mixture to a low simmer. Let it bubble away until the syrup has become the color of the fruit and the fruit wilts. Stir in the vinegar and bring the mixture just to a simmer; strain out and discard the fruit and pour the shrub into a jar. Allow to cool completely then store in the fridge.
Whatever you do this summer, make sure you save time to whip up a batch or two of our strawberry peppercorn shrub so you can be sipping on delicious mocktails ALL summer long!!
If you’ve tried this Strawberry Mocktail Recipe I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintStrawberry Pink Peppercorn Mocktail
Make this mocktail a cocktail by adding 1 ounce of vodka.
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think about this Strawberry Mocktail Recipe in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 3 days
- Total Time: 72 hours
- Yield: 3 cups syrup or 12 drinks 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Fermented
- Cuisine: Mocktail
Ingredients
For the shrub
1 pound sliced strawberries
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pink peppercorns
2 cups Pompeian Organic Red Wine Vinegar with the "mother"
For the mocktail
ice
sliced strawberries, optional
prepared strawberry pink peppercorn shrub
club soda
Instructions
Make the shrub
In a large bowl combine the sliced strawberries and peppercorns with the sugar. Stir well and let this mixture sit, covered securely with a dishtowel, on your kitchen counter for 3 days. Stirring once a day. The mixture will become very juicy. After 3 days, strain the mixture into a measuring cup, discard the fruit and peppercorns, then combine the syrup with the Pompeian Organic Red Wine Vinegar. If you aren't the biggest fan of the tart and tangy flavor of vinegar do this slowly, adding ½ cup - ¾ cup at a time then tasting before you add more so that you get a shrub that is just vinegar-y enough for you. Pour the shrub into a jar and store it in the fridge.
For the Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Mocktail
Fill a large glass with ice and sliced strawberries, if desired. Add ¼ cup (or more if you wish) of the prepared strawberry pink peppercorn shrub. Fill to the top with club soda, stir, and serve immediately.
Notes
I prefer the cold process method for making shrubs, but if you need a quicker prep time you can use the hot process method below.
You will need 1 pound chopped fruit, 2 teaspoons pink peppercorns, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup vinegar. First make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the sliced fruit and peppercorns then bring the syrup-fruit mixture to a low simmer. Let it bubble away until the syrup has become the color of the fruit and the fruit wilts. Stir in the vinegar and bring the mixture just to a simmer; strain out and discard the fruit and pour the shrub into a jar. Allow to cool completely then store in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 35.1 g
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.6 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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What are the health benefits of red wine vinegar?
Red Wine Vinegar helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Like red wine, it also contains disease fighting antioxidants.
Click here for more information on the health benefits of red wine vinegar.
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