This Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn is sweet and tart with a subtle heat perfect for mixing into any spring and summer cocktails and mocktails!

Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn

This is a common combo for shrubs and that’s because it’s so good. I know it’s my family’s favorite!

I originally wanted to use pink peppercorns but I couldn’t find any and used regular black peppercorns instead.

When I was visiting with Matt from New Alchemy Distilling (one of the distilleries that will be featured in the DIY Gin Bar) I mentioned that I really wanted to try the shrub with pink peppercorns. He very generously gave me a whole bag and I was able to satisfy my curiosity.

Use whatever kind of peppercorn is available to you but both versions are really tasty. Black peppercorns add a little more heat that you can subtly feel in the back of your throat.

Pink peppercorns aren’t actually peppercorns but a dried fruit from a plant and they are part of the cashew family. They have a fruity-bright flavor with a slight peppery taste.

I chose to use red wine vinegar to really emphasize the beautiful red color of the strawberries.

Use this shrub in drinks, salad dressings, or even drizzle some over ice cream. You can specifically use it in this Strawberry Gin Fizz or this Orange-Basil Strawberry Mocktail (recipes coming soon).

DIY Gin Bar Recipes

This Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn 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

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Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn

This Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn is sweet and
tart with a subtle heat perfect for mixing into any spring and summer cocktails
and mocktails!

Course Beverages

Keyword beverages, quick and easy, shrubs

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 3 cups

Author Megan Wells

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 10 basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns you can also use pink peppercorns
• 1 cup red wine vinegar

Instructions

1. Add the sugar, water, strawberries, basil, and peppercorns together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Use a muddler to crush the ingredients together until the basil looks bruised and is fragrant. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the syrup has become the color of the fruit and the fruit has lost its vibrancy.
3. Add the red wine vinegar and bring the mixture back to a simmer (about 5 to 8 minutes)
4. Strain using a fine-meshed sieve covered with one layer of cheesecloth.
5. Pour into a jar and keep it in the fridge.

Recipe Notes

If you use pink peppercorns, the shrub will still have a pepper kick but will come out with a brighter, more citrus-flavored profile.