Dec. 16, 2025 – Andy is in OurLittleCorner today.
Let’s Shrug Off 2025 and Shrub In 2026
As we are getting ready to bid 2025 adieu, what better way to prepare for 2026 than to make a batch of cranberry shrub (aka “drinking vinegar”)? Granted, you probably could come up with better ways to prepare for 2026, but I can make a compelling case for the shrub option. For starters, consider the health benefits of vinegar-based shrub (at least according to wozzkitchencreations.com , which may be an obscure source but I like what they have to say):
- enhance weight loss
- stabilize blood sugars
- lower cholesterol
- maintain alkaline ph
- promote detoxification of the liver
- ease digestion
- fight free radicals to reduce aging [Editors’s note: I’m not sure what “free radicals” are, but I’m all for reducing aging]
And beyond these reputed life-enhancing super powers, the cranberry shrub I’m sharing is downright delicious — with just enough sweetness to enhance the tart cranberry/vinegar combination. To top it off, its vibrant holiday-red makes it as pretty as it is healthy.
2026- here we come!
Cranberry Shrub
- 4 c water
- 9 c (about 2 lbs) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3 c sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks (or you can use allspice berries, cloves, or another favorite spice. )
- 4 c good quality apple cider vinegar such as Bragg organic
In a large saucepan, heat the water, cranberries, sugar and cinnamon until the mixture starts to boil. Reduce the heat and cook at a very gentle simmer until the cranberries are completely soft, about 5 or 6 minutes.
Remove from heat and pour the cranberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, gently pushing on the cooked cranberries to release as much liquid as possible without pressing any solids through the sieve. (Note: the residual cranberry pulp makes a tasty cranberry sauce).
Add the vinegar to the cranberry mixture and stir. Transfer the shrub into bottles or jars, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use (to allow the flavors to fully develop, I generally let the shrub sit for about 3 weeks). The shrub mixture can be kept for several months in the refrigerator.
To make a festive nonalcoholic drink fill a glass halfway with ice and top with 1 part shrub base and 5 parts sparkling or tonic water. Stir once. Garnish with a cinnamon stick (optional). Or you can kick it up a notch or two by adding a splash of gin or vodka.