Martha Stewart Bourbon-Cranberry Shrub

Martha Stewart Bourbon-Cranberry Shrub is a tangy, bubbly cocktail with cranberries, white-wine vinegar and bourbon that comes together in 5 minutes. This easy holiday cocktail with few ingredients fits fall parties, Thanksgiving gatherings and cozy Christmas nights.

Let the cranberry syrup cool completely before you stir it into the glass, because warm syrup melts the ice too fast. Skip that wait and the drink turns watery and loses its crisp bite.

Martha simmers the cranberries right in the vinegar and sugar, so you get both a tart syrup and a handful of boozy berries to drop in the glass. A splash of seltzer lightens the strong vinegar and bourbon, which keeps it refreshing instead of heavy.

Martha Stewart Bourbon-Cranberry Shrub

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

280

kcal

Whole cranberries soften in a sweet vinegar syrup that you can keep chilled for weeks. Each glass is stirred with bourbon and a splash of seltzer, then topped with a spoonful of the berries.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  

• 1 cup sugar
  

• 1 cup white-wine vinegar
  

• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons bourbon
  

• 2 tablespoons seltzer
  

Directions

• Cook the shrub: Combine 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup white-wine vinegar in a pot, then bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Cool the shrub: Take the pot off the heat and let everything cool completely. Then refrigerate it for up to 3 weeks so you always have a drink ready.
• Fill the glass: For each cocktail, fill a rocks glass with ice. That keeps the drink cold and crisp from the first sip to the last.
• Stir the cocktail: Stir in 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons bourbon, 2 tablespoons seltzer and 2 tablespoons of the shrub liquid. Stir gently so the seltzer stays fizzy.
• Garnish and serve: Add 1 tablespoon of the shrub cranberries to the glass. Serve it immediately while it is still bubbly.

Tools for this recipe

• Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 3-quart saucepan, OXO steel double jigger, Ball regular mouth mason jars, 12 pack. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for the shrub?

Yes, frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones in this recipe. You can toss them in the pot straight from the freezer, since they soften while the syrup comes to a boil.

How long does the cranberry shrub keep?

The shrub keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, so you can make it well before a holiday party. Store it in a jar with a tight lid, cranberries and syrup together.

Can I make this drink without alcohol?

Skip the bourbon and add extra seltzer, which gives you a tangy, fizzy mocktail. You could also use a splash of apple cider for a sweeter, warmer flavor.

What can I use instead of white-wine vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is the easiest swap, and it adds a slightly fruity edge that suits cranberries. Use the same amount, and taste the syrup once it cools in case you want a bit more sugar.

What is the most common mistake with a shrub cocktail?

Pouring the syrup in while it is still warm is the biggest one, because it melts the ice and waters down the drink. Chill it fully first, then build each glass over fresh ice.