A shrub is essentially a tart drinking vinegar that can be made with whatever berries or fruit you have on hand. Use for spritzers, cocktails, even ice cream floats.

Ingredients

1 cup of seasonal fruit (such as plums, berries, or other stone fruit)

1½ cups sugar

1 cup white wine vinegar

8–10 cups club soda or sparkling water

Preparation

Place fruit in a 1-qt. jar. Bring sugar and vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar.

Pour hot vinegar mixture over fruit and mix with a fork, crushing berries gently to release more flavor. Seal jar and store in a cool dark place 4 days.

Strain shrub through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean jar; cover and chill. Check shrub every week or so until vinegar flavor mellows to your liking.

For each drink, combine 3 Tbsp. shrub with 1 cup club soda or sparkling water in a glass filled with ice. Taste and add more shrub if you like.