Best Peach And Bay Laurel Shrub Recipes

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PEACH-AND-BAY LAUREL SHRUB



Peach-and-Bay Laurel Shrub image

You can make a shrub into a low-alcohol cocktail called a shim by adding a splash of sparkling wine, vermouth, or your favorite aperitif. Try our Strawberry-and-Tarragon and Blackberry-and-Sage variations, too.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Drink Recipes

Time 2h40m

Yield Makes 2 1/2 cups shrub base (enough for about 20 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound yellow peaches, cut into 1/2-inch wedges (about 3 cups)
1 1/2 cups sugar
8 fresh bay leaves
1 1/2 cups champagne vinegar
Chilled sparkling water, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large nonreactive pot (such as stainless steel), combine peaches, sugar, and bay leaves. Let stand 1 hour, stirring a few times. Cook over medium heat until warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a bare simmer (do not let boil). Remove from heat; let stand at room temperature, uncovered, 24 hours. Remove and discard bay leaves. Strain shrub base; reserve pickled peaches (which can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week) for another use. Transfer shrub base to another airtight container; refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 1 month.
  • Fill glasses halfway with ice. Top with 1 part shrub base and 4 to 5 parts sparkling water. Stir once; garnish with more bay leaves and fresh peaches, if desired. Serve immediately.

BLACKBERRY-AND-SAGE SHRUB



Blackberry-and-Sage Shrub image

You can make a shrub into a low-alcohol cocktail called a shim by adding a splash of sparkling wine, vermouth, or your favorite aperitif. Try our Strawberry-and-Tarragon and Peach-and-Bay Laurel variations, too.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Drink Recipes

Time 2h40m

Yield Makes 2 1/2 cups shrub base (enough for about 20 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound blackberries (about 3 cups)
1 1/2 cups sugar
10 fresh sage leaves
3/4 cup red-wine vinegar
3/4 cup sherry vinegar
Chilled sparkling water, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large nonreactive pot (such as stainless steel), combine berries, sugar, and sage. Let stand 1 hour, stirring a few times. Cook over medium heat until warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Add vinegars and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a bare simmer (do not let boil). Remove from heat; let stand at room temperature, uncovered, 24 hours. Remove and discard sage. Strain shrub base; reserve pickled berries (which can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week) for another use. Transfer shrub base to another airtight container; refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 1 month.
  • Fill glasses halfway with ice. Top with 1 part shrub base and 4 to 5 parts sparkling water. Stir once; garnish with more sage and fresh berries, if desired. Serve immediately.

SWEET BAY-PEPPERCORN SHRUB



Sweet Bay-Peppercorn Shrub image

This citrus-based shrub, in which lemon and grapefruit peels are muddled with sugar, black peppercorns, thyme, cloves and bay leaves before being combined with citrus juice, acts as a lightly spiced base for any drink - whether you're adding alcohol or not. Use it in a No-ABV French 75 or simply pour an ounce or so over ice and top with sparkling water or tonic. Or try it in a low-A.B.V. French 75, or in lieu of simple syrup in a classic French 75.

Provided by Rebekah Peppler

Time 6h15m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 medium lemons, peeled and fruit reserved
1 small grapefruit, peeled and fruit reserved
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns, crushed
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 cloves, crushed
2 bay leaves

Steps:

  • Place the citrus peels in a medium bowl or a large jar. Add the sugar, peppercorns, salt, thyme, cloves and bay leaves.
  • Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to muddle the mixture together, working the sugar mixture into the peels until the peels begin to express their oils and start to turn slightly translucent. Set aside at room temperature for at least 6 hours or overnight. Much of the sugar should be dissolved, and the citrus peels will be mostly translucent.
  • Juice the reserved lemons and grapefruit. (You should have about 1ΒΌ cups juice.) Add the juice to the mixture and stir (or cover and shake the jar) until the sugar and salt dissolve. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids and transfer to an airtight container. The shrub can be stored, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 month.

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