Not your everyday garden shrub
Grevilleas are a type of Australian native shrub both delightful and distinctive; however, the shrubs I want to talk about are zingy fruit syrup mixers infused with Australian natives like Anise Myrtle, Peper Berry and Strawberry Gum. Local fruits combined with unique indigenous botanical flavours and artisanal “know how” is only half the story. The key to our premium range of Australian botanical shrubs is careful blending of herbaceous fruit syrups into an apple cider vinegar base.
Mocktail Makeover
The Botanikos team is on a mission to inspire home mixologists to reimagine mocktails in a way that is fresh interesting and comes with health benefits. Think bold Australian botanicals mixed with soda or sparkling water as pouring nature straight into your mouth. Oh boy are we excited to share our new line of Australian Native Shrubs best described as sweet acidic mixers.
Shrubs are used to create intriguing custom cocktails. From soda streams to tap water shrubs add a delicious tang to your glass. We have created a range of flavours hard to resist! Cinnamon, Ginger, Blueberry, Strawberry, Sour Cherry, Pineapple, Passionfruit, Hot Hibiscus, Cardamon and Juniper. A profile of each shrub’s unique Australian botanical will be released in July 2023
Historical Herbal Tonics
Fruit shrubs have been reinvented into bright punchy fruit vinegars infused with bold botanical flavours for your drinking pleasure. Fermented fruits and spices were used as medicinal tonics for the wealthy as far back as 500 BC. Herbal tonics have been used by Chinese Emperors to maintain overall wellness long before modern pharmaceuticals.
We are happy to recommend our shrub vinegars not only as tasty drink mixers but as a dietary adjunct for strengthening gut health. Infused with native herbs which carry a strong life force Botanikos Shrubs mix perfectly with local spring water to improve the quality of your daily hydration.
Shrubs as Drinking Vinegars
In the cocktail world a shrub (or drinking vinegar) is a concentrated syrup that combines fruit sugar and vinegar. A variety of fruits, such as apricots, peaches and berries provide the colour and fruitiness, while the herbs and spices creating interesting flavour combinations and help make the apple cider vinegar base drinkable.
Fermented apple cider vinegar has long been a home remedy for many common complaints; from a sore throat to improving gut health. Apple cider vinegar is the perfect acidic base for our shrubs to create excellent sweet sour drink mixers.
Health Benefits of Drinking Shrubs
Drinking shrubs can have several health benefits due to their fruit herb and vinegar ingredients. Here are some of the potential health benefits of drinking shrubs published online:
- Antioxidant protection: Shrubs contain polyphenols, which can enhance antioxidant protection and reduce the risk of cancer.
- Digestive health: Shrubs can help settle indigestion and improve digestion due to the presence of vinegar and other digestive herbs and spices.
- Weight loss: Shrubs can promote weight loss and stabilize blood sugar levels due to the presence of vinegar and other ingredients that can help regulate metabolism.
- Heart health: Apple cider vinegar, a common ingredient in shrubs, has been shown to improve heart health and lower cholesterol levels
It is important to note that the health benefits of drinking shrubs are not scientifically proven and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used in the shrub. Additionally, shrubs contain sugar, so it is important to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They are easy to use home and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 months.
Healthy Hydration
Infused waters are refreshing to drink. The combined benefits of drinking more water antioxidants from the botanicals with a dose of cider vinegar is great for gut health and general metabolic function. Beyond being a healthy drink that many people enjoy daily shrubs are downright delicious. There are countless ways that you can customise your drinks to your taste all it takes is a few quality mixers.
It is important to note that drinking shrubs are in different category to drizzle vinegars which are heavier and more acidic. Our drinking shrubs are made with a variety of local or Australian fruits which are juiced, flavoured with native herbs and blended into an apple cider or white wine vinegar base to create interesting, sweet sour flavour combinations for drinkers. Shrubs can be considered lighter brighter sweeter and herbaceous than culinary vinegars. Created this way for a premium drinking experience.
Brace Yourselves
Much like adding slices of lemon to freshen up a jug of water, botanically infused shrub vinegars are bright zesty and layered in ways that a squeeze of lemon or lime can never accomplish. Shrubs make boring soda water taste better instantly. Shrub syrups are simple to use, taste great, and offer the extra benefit of contributing to good health and hydration.
Mixing shrubs into water makes drinking the recommended 1-2 litres of water each day fun!
How to Drink Shrubs
Zingy vinegar-based syrups act as a substitute for citrus in cocktails, adding intriguing sour note to mixed drinks. A variety of cocktails benefit from adding a sweet tangy flavour. Vodka seltzers for a start! Just add a shot of the shrub with your choice of spirit topped with soda water for a refreshing beverage. For an easy drinking shrub beverage combine 1 ounce (30ml) of shrub 2 ounces (60ml) spirit with 4-5 ounces (120-150ml) of soda or tonic over ice.
Bartenders craft their own shrubs as a key ingredient for creating exciting new cocktails. Shrubs are quite versatile with one exception. Since shrubs are acidic best avoid mixing them with citrus and other highly acidic fruits.
For the Serious Drinkers
The best way to experience a shrub mixer is to experiment. Try the following combinations.
- Apple based shrubs like Cinnamon or Strawberry mix well with mezcal, tequila, vodka or whisky.
- Ginger shrub brings out warmth with a shot of bourbon topped with soda.
- Hot Hibiscus shrub mixes beautifully with rum and ginger ale
- Blueberry anise shrub makes one delicious daiquiri and delightful addition to a G&T
- Cardamon shrub is both sweet and pungent adding a smoky warmth and almost bittersweet lemony flavour to a gin martini.
If you have a passion for making healthy affordable delicious tasting drinks Botanikos Shrubs are destined to become your new crush. Delicious drinks in minutes.
Winter Tipples
Let’s celebrate the arrival of the cozy season with some new release recipes. Prepare for a warm hug with our Blueberry Gin and Festive Fizz. Its ridiculously easy! Just gather your ingredients measure and pour into a glass followed. Add a scoop of crushed ice to chill and dilute.
Festive Fizz
- 30ml Pomegranate juice
- 30ml Cranberry juice
- 30ml Ginger shrub
- 90 ml Club soda
- Scoop crushed ice.
Blueberry Gin Fizz
- 60ml Bombay Sapphire gin
- 30 ml Blueberry shrub
- 7 ml (Bar Spoon) Rosemary simple syrup
- 120ml soda
Happy Hydration!!