Schuster's Shrub: Vinegar-based fruit syrup from the Steigerwald

Shrub is a vinegar-based fruit syrup made from three ingredients: fruit, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Food technologist Hanna Schuster discovered it during a semester abroad in Pennsylvania—the vinegar-fruit syrup was a common summer drink in the U.S. in the 19th century—and developed the first recipe with her mother. The first varieties were presented at a trade fair in 2012; today, the family bottles them in a glass-walled production facility with an on-site farm shop in Untersteinbach in the Steigerwald.

How Shrub is made and how to use it

The fruit is macerated in apple cider vinegar, pressed after a few weeks, sweetened to taste with sugar, and hot-filled. The vinegar provides acidity and highlights the fruit; according to the manufacturer, no artificial flavorings or additives are needed. Diluted with water or sparkling water, it makes lemonade; with sparkling wine, an aperitif; or with oil and a little lemon, a salad dressing. According to the manufacturer, the bottles are shelf-stable even after opening.

Eight Shrub varieties, three Summer Spritzes, and mulled wine syrup

The Blueberry-Raspberry Shrub is the manufacturer's classic, while the Ginger Shrub is the spicy option for lemonade and long drinks. They are joined by Black Currant, Raspberry, Rosemary-Lemon, Lemon-Thyme, Orange-Cardamom, and the Oriental Shrub, which features eight spices instead of fruit. The Summer Spritz syrups—Hibiscus-Raspberry, Rosemary-Grapefruit, and Basil-Lime—are made for aperitifs with secco, while the Syrup for Mulled Wine, made from boiled-down spices and cane sugar, turns red wine into mulled wine in minutes—without any vinegar.

Order Schuster's Shrub online

At Leni & Hans, you can get Schuster's Shrub delivered to you in 1–3 days. You can find more syrups in the Syrup category, and vinegars in the Vinegar category.