I've been a great fan of making herbal goodies for a very long time. Each season brings annual rituals + new experiments too! I love to make herbal shrubs of all kinds. One of my favourites is, without a doubt, the Strawberry Basil Shrub ! What the heck is a shrub, you may ask.. There are a number of non-alcoholic beverages, which herbalists make during the year (well.. at least.. this herbalist does LOL) Here's one answer:
"A shrub adds sugar to fruit juice and uses vinegar to cut the sweetness."
I tend to combine fruit, herbs + a sweetener + a vinegar.. The result is a refreshing, somewhat tart, slightly sweet glass of delicious-ness.. Sometimes just for sipping or as a little 'shot' "pick me up" but more often, it's added to a glass of seltzer (or some sort of carbonated water) I LOVE it both ways.. and love to make these special scrubs to enjoy.
Whichever way you decide to enjoy it, I hope you'll try this recipe -- and maybe get hooked on making shrubs.. the possibilities are endless!!
Strawberry Basil Shrub
This is more of a guideline but hoping you can see how easy it is and how many opportunities there are for changing it up-- but I'm hoping you'll try this one
before you make changes.. as it is SO good!!
Strawberry Basil Shrub
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup raw honey
- bubbly mineral water or Seltzer
- Ice
Instructions
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Combine the strawberries, basil leaves, vinegar, honey in a glass jar
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Stir well + add a good lid to the jar.
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Place the jar in the fridge for 2-3 days.
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Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the strawberries +basil.
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Reserve the remaining liquid.|
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Combine ¼ cup of this liquid (this is your shrub!) +
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1 cup of sparkling mineral water or seltzer water in a glass + add the ice
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Don’t forget a sprig of basil!
Recipe Notes
Enjoy!
Basil is a wonderful anti-inflammatory herb. Also.. Uplifting + Calming + so good for us..
The only challenge, really? How to begin to see herbs like basil as so much more than a 'garnish' or strictly a "pesto" ingredient.
SO MUCH more to BASIL !!!! Here's a post about Basil and benefits of using Basil.
Another wonderful shrub recipe? Try this very special "Habanero Shrub" -- It's got a real kick + it's delicious. Check out that post here.
We are studied BASIL recently in my wonderful fun-filled HERBGALS group. Next month.. ? well tune in to learn more.. Wo continued this study with a focus
on Holy Basil (aka Sacred Basil), which is a cousin with a lot of medicinal healing attributes! Check out our HerbGals group here.. You are most welcome!
Here's to our health -- Here's to making tasty, easy + life-enhancing herb-infused goodness ~
until next time..
Carol xo
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