Quick Balsamic Fig Shrub

5 from 2 votes

Here’s another sumptuous quick shrub for those of you who crave instant gratification—and it’s a combination that works so well in cocktails. Warren's Quick Balsamic-Fig shrub calls upon flavors you already know and love: Who hasn’t enjoyed a salad of figs (and, perhaps, arugula) drizzled with good-quality balsamic? There’s a reason it’s such a good match: Fresh figs, with their sweet funkiness, are a great foil for tart, viscous balsamic vinegar. Printed with permission of Fair Winds Press

Prep Time15

Total Time30

Course: Drinks, shrub, syrup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fig shrub

Servings: servings

Calories: 151kcal

Author: Warren Bobrow

Equipment

Fine mesh strainer
Nonreactive bowl

Ingredients

5 plump fresh figs quartered
1 cup demerara sugar or other vegan sugar
1 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Place the fig quarters in a nonreactive bowl, and cover them with the sugar. Add the vinegar immediately, and mix well. Cover tightly, and let the mixture sit on the countertop for 2–3 days. Press down on the fruit mixture with a wooden spoon to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
Then, uncover the fig mixture, and mash it up a bit with a fork. Place a nonreactive strainer over another nonreactive bowl, and transfer the mixture to the strainer.
Voila: a shrub is born.
Store the mixture in a sterilized bottle or jar, and use in your mock-or cocktails immediately.

Nutrition