You might be surprised to know that balsamic vinegar is made in much the same way as wine (by fermenting grapes). What’s even more surprising is that some vinegars are sweet enough to drink on their own! A Taste of Olive carries a wide variety of high-quality fruit vinegars that can be used in a bunch of different ways, but did you know that they can also be used to make cocktails?
The history of drinking vinegar dates all the way back to 15th century England, who imported balsamic vinegar from the Italian peninsula. Colonists took the vinegar with them to America and invented the mixed drinks known as “shrubs.” The settlers mixed the vinegar with sugar to create a syrup that they added to spirits, water, or even seltzer to make an early version of soda!
While the use of these drinks has persisted over time, in the past few years, chefs, mixologists, foodies, and even celebrities like Oprah have taken to adding fruit vinegars to their favorite drinks. It’s easy to see why - vinegars offer many health benefits including reducing cholesterol, helping the body absorb Calcium, aids with digestion, sates your appetite quicker, and regulates the breakdown of sugar in digestion.
Shrubs are regaining popularity today in bars and restaurants across North America. The most important part of a good shrub is choosing a vinegar with the right balance of sweetness, fruit flavor, with a hint of sour. A Taste of Olive sources all of its balsamic vinegars from Modena, the same region that gave the vinegar that England fell in love with hundreds of years ago. The grape farmers and vinegar artisans of Modena have perfected the production of vinegars that are naturally sweet enough on their own. Our fruit vinegars are made from high-quality grape must, pinot grigio wine vinegar, and the fruit puree.
We invite you to try adding a dash of some fruit vinegars to champagne, vodka, sparkling water, or even lemonade for new refreshing drinks to enjoy the rest of the summer. So whether you are mixing up a tangy mimosa or taking a break from sugary soft drinks by making your own, come in and taste the difference.
Want to see how easy it is? Watch how Carrie shows you how to make a shrub in about a minute:
