The bourbon pumpkin shrub uses warm spices and seasonal flavors to make a great autumn cocktail. The base of the recipe, the pumpkin shrub, is the key to this flavorful beverage. But what exactly is a shrub?
Sometimes called drinking vinegars, shrubs are a combination of sugar, vinegar and, usually, fruit. The mixture is allowed to sit in the refrigerator overnight to concentrate the flavor and then strained and used as a mixer or on it’s own with some club soda, similar to kombucha.
Yield:
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PinIngredients
For the Cocktail:
2 oz. Bourbon
2 oz. Pumpkin Shrub (see recipe below)
Dash of bitters
4 oz. Sparkling wine
For the Pumpkin Shrub:
1 lb. Pumpkin, roasted or 1 (15 oz.) can unsweetened pumpkin puree
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
For the Rim:
1 Tablespoon simple syrup
Instructions
To make the shrub, add the granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, grated fresh ginger, ground cinnamon and pinch of salt to a large mason jar. Add in the pumpkin and shake well. Cover with the lid and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then strain and keep refrigerated for up to a week. Note that, if you use pumpkin puree, you may find you need to strain the mixture through cheesecloth.
Pour a tablespoon or two of the rimming sugar into a shallow bowl. Brush the edges of a cocktail glass with the simple syrup and and roll in the rimming sugar.
To make the cocktail, add the bourbon, shrub and bitters to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, shake well and pour into the prepared glass. Top with the sparkling wine.