Raspberry shrub cocktail with homemade raspberry vinegar, sugar, and prosecco. Three ingredients, sharp and fruity, fizzy and tart. No shaking, no muddling.
What is a shrub, and why should you put one in a cocktail glass? A shrub is a fruit vinegar syrup, tart and sweet and concentrated. This one uses raspberry vinegar, homemade or store-bought, mixed with a teaspoon of sugar in a glass and topped with prosecco. Three ingredients. No shaking. No muddling.
The raspberry vinegar is sharp and fruity, and the prosecco fizzes through it and lifts the flavour. The sugar dissolves in the vinegar and takes the edge off. It tastes like a champagne cocktail with a tart, berry backbone. You can garnish with extra sugar on the rim if you want it sweeter. Pretty damn good for three ingredients.
Tips for Making a Raspberry Shrub Cocktail
Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar first
One teaspoon of sugar stirred into two to three tablespoons of raspberry vinegar until dissolved. This prevents grainy sugar sinking to the bottom of the glass.
Taste the mixture before adding prosecco. If the vinegar is very tart, add slightly more sugar.
Top with cold prosecco
Pour the prosecco gently over the vinegar mixture. Do not stir aggressively. One light swirl is enough.
The prosecco should be well chilled. Warm prosecco loses its fizz faster and the drink goes flat.
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Raspberry Shrub Cocktail
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Makes 1 cocktail 1x
Description
Enjoy a refreshing and cooling raspberry cocktail in these hot summer days.
Instructions
- In a glass, mix the sugar and raspberry vinegar until the sugar is dissolved.
- Fill the glass with prosecco and stir gently.
- Garnish with extra sugar on the rim if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 10
Frequently Asked Questions
What is raspberry vinegar?
Vinegar infused with raspberries. You can make it by steeping fresh raspberries in white wine vinegar for a week, then straining. Some specialty stores sell it bottled.
Can I use a different sparkling wine?
Yes. Champagne, cava, or any dry sparkling wine works. Prosecco is slightly sweeter, which balances the tartness of the shrub.
Can I make this non-alcoholic?
Yes. Substitute the prosecco with sparkling water. The shrub is flavourful enough to carry the drink on its own.