Have you ever heard of a "shrub" (as in drink, not bush)? It's basically a vinegar-based fruity cordial or soda. The acidity of the vinegar provides tang and intensifies the flavor of the fruit in much the same way that the acidity of lemons balances the sugar in lemonade, and makes lemonade taste so lemony. Vinegar allows you to make a soda with fruit, without it being cloyingly sweet. With this cucumber mint soda, first you make a simple syrup with water, sugar, and vinegar. Then you infuse the vinegar simple syrup with fresh mint leaves. To make the soda, you pour the syrup over ice and chopped cucumber and add seltzer water. Easy! Continue reading "Cucumber Mint "Shrub" Soda" » |