Go Back

Elderberry Shrub

Elderberry shrub is a sweet-tart mocktail base made by simmering dried elderberries, straining, and then gently dissolving sugar in vinegar. This deep-purple concentrate turns into a refreshing drink when you mix it with ice-cold soda water.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 42
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dried elderberries
  • 1 cup dried elderberries For a deep purple concentrate.
Water
  • 1 cup water
Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar Use for sharp tang.
Sugar
  • 0.75 cup sugar Dissolves to balance the vinegar.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Simmer
  1. Combine dried elderberries and water in a saucepan, then simmer at 200°F/93°C for 20 minutes with gentle bubbles.
  2. Maintain the simmer for the full 20 minutes so the liquid turns deep purple and the fruit softens.
Strain
  1. Pour the elderberry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl and press to extract as much liquid as possible.
  2. Discard the solids after straining and transfer the strained liquid back to the saucepan.
Combine and dissolve sugar
  1. Whisk the sugar and apple cider vinegar into the strained elderberry liquid until evenly combined.
  2. Simmer again over low heat at 180°F/82°C for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves.
Cool and store
  1. Let the shrub cool completely to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  2. Pour into a sealed glass bottle and refrigerate until chilled.
Serve
  1. To serve, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of shrub with soda water over ice until the drink is to your preferred strength.
  2. Taste and adjust with more shrub or more soda water as needed before drinking.

Notes

Pro tip: For the cleanest, most concentrated color, press the solids firmly during straining, then scrape any clinging liquid back into the bottle. Refrigerate in a sealed glass bottle up to 2 months. No freezing is recommended because the flavor and clarity can shift after thawing; for a dietary swap, reduce sugar to 1/2 cup for a less-sweet, more tart shrub while keeping the same vinegar ratio.