Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey

This Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey is surprisingly rich and deep with bursts of vanilla-berry goodness!

Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey

For this shrub, I decided to use the Vanilla Bean Sugar instead of plain sugar. I wanted a very London Fog type vibe, so I added Earl Grey tea at the tail end and let it steep for 3 minutes before straining.

I used red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon balsamic to up that dark color and add a little more richness to the flavor. This is by far the richest of the shrubs and I used it to make this Blackberry Gin Fizz and this Vanilla Earl Grey Blackberry Mocktail (recipes coming soon).

Someday when I get the Blackberry Goat Cheese Ice Cream published on the blog, you should drizzle a little of this on top, it adds back a little tartness that makes the ice cream shine even more. You can also use this shrub in salad dressings.

DIY Gin Bar Recipes

This Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey will be featured in the DIY Gin Bar along with four others.

Here are all the recipes that are part of the DIY Gin Bar!

Infused Sugars

• Vanilla Bean Sugar
• Orange Sugar with Szechuan Peppers
• Lemon Zest Sugar with Cardamom
• DIY Citrus Sugar with Lemon and Dill
• Lemon and Lavender Infused Sugar

Shrubs

• Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn
• Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey
• Lemon Shrub with Cardamom and Mint
• Orange Shrub with Cardamom and Thyme
• Orange Shrub Recipe with Yunnan Tea and Szechuan Peppers

Cocktails

• Strawberry Gin Fizz
• Blackberry Gin Fizz
• Mint Gin Fizz
• Lemon Gin Fizz with Cucumber and Dill
• Orange Gin Fizz
• Gin Lemonade Cocktail

Mocktails

• Orange-Basil Strawberry Mocktail
• Vanilla Earl Grey Blackberry Mocktail
• Sparkling Basil Lemon Mocktail
• Lemon-Dill Cucumber Mocktail
• Rosemary & Mint Lemonade Mocktail

5 from 1 vote

Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey

This Blackberry Shrub with Vanilla and Earl Grey is
surprisingly rich and deep with bursts of vanilla-berry goodness!

Servings 3 cups

Cook Time 26 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup Vanilla Bean Sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 and 1/3 cups blackberries
• 2/3 cups red wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea

Instructions

• Add the sugar and the water together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Add the blackberries and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the syrup has become the color of the fruit and the fruit has lost its vibrancy.
• Add the vinegar and bring the mixture back to a simmer (about 5 to 8 minutes). Turn off the heat and add the tea leaves, letting them steep for 3 minutes.
• Strain the fruit and the leaves out using a fine-meshed sieve covered with one layer of cheesecloth.
• Pour into a jar and keep it in the fridge.

Author: Megan Wells

Course: Beverages

Keyword: beverages, quick and easy, shrubs