Herbal Shrubs: A Refreshing Summer Herbal Beverage

At La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer, we’re always looking for ways to bring herbs into everyday life—especially in forms that feel refreshing, easy, and deeply connected to tradition. One of our favorite summertime ways to do that - the humble herbal shrub.

A shrub, also known as drinking vinegar, is a bright, tangy beverage made by infusing fruit and herbs into vinegar and sweetener. It’s an old-world preparation—once used as a way to preserve the harvest and offer a tonic beverage with flavor and function. Long before kombucha or seltzers hit the shelves, shrubs were a staple in home kitchens and apothecaries alike.

These days, shrubs are getting a lot of new attention—especially thanks to the rise of fizzy, gut-friendly sodas like Poppi. In fact, Poppi recently caught the eye of PepsiCo and was acquired after just a few short years on the market. Their flagship drinks, made with apple cider vinegar and fruity flavors, are rooted in the same idea herbalists have embraced for generations: that a little tang, a little plant magic, and a whole lot of fizz can go a long way in supporting digestion and feeling good.

But here’s the thing—we were making shrubs long before they were trendy. And you can too.

What Is an Herbal Shrub?

An herbal shrub is a syrup made from:

• Vinegar (often raw apple cider vinegar)
  

• Sweetener (like honey or sugar) - we get our honey from the bees on our farm that make it for hydromel Charlevoix.
  

• Fruit and/or herbs
  
  

You can drink it diluted with still or sparkling water, mix it into mocktails or cocktails, or simply take a spoonful as a pre-meal digestive tonic. The vinegar helps extract the benefits of the herbs, while the sweetener rounds out the flavor.

We love shrubs because they’re:

• Shelf-stable and easy to make
  

• A great use for seasonal herbs and fruit
  

• A beautiful balance of sweet, sour, and botanical
  

• Supportive for digestion, especially when made with apple cider vinegar
  
  

DIY Herbal Shrub Recipe

This basic formula is endlessly flexible—use what you have, what’s in season, or what your body is craving.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (berries, peaches, plums, apples…)
  

• ½ cup fresh herbs (like basil, anise hyssop, mint, tulsi, lemon balm, or rosemary)
  

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar (raw and unpasteurized)
  

• ½–1 cup honey or sugar (to taste)
  
  

Instructions:

1. Combine herbs and fruit in a clean mason jar.
   

2. Cover with vinegar, pressing down to submerge everything.
   

3. Cap with a plastic lid or use parchment under a metal lid (vinegar can corrode metal).
   

4. Let infuse for 5–7 days in a cool, dark spot, shaking daily.
   

5. Strain, then stir in your desired amount of sweetener.
   

6. Refrigerate and use within 6 months.
   
   

To serve: mix 1–2 tablespoons into still or sparkling water. Add a sprig of fresh herbs or a splash of citrus juice to elevate it further.

Flavor Ideas from the Garden

Here are some farm-inspired shrub combos we love:

• Strawberry + Anise Hyssop – cooling, gently uplifting, floral and sweet
  

• Peach + Tulsi + Ginger – calming, digestive, warmly spiced
  

• Blueberry + Lemon Balm – mood-brightening and soothing
  

• Apple + Rosemary + Cinnamon – grounding, warming, autumnal
  
  

These aren’t just tasty—they carry the energetics of the herbs they’re made with. And unlike many commercial sodas, you’ll know exactly what went into each bottle. Need some high quality herbs for your next shrub creation.  You can find our Organic chamomile, tulsi, anise hyssop or our collection on our website.  Purchase direct from the farm and sent right to you for maximum freshness for your next drinking vinegar.

From Poppi to Pepsi: Shrubs Go Mainstream

We’ve watched with curiosity as drinks like Poppi and Olipop have turned vinegar tonics and prebiotic sodas into big business. Poppi, in particular, is built around apple cider vinegar—long used for digestive and blood sugar support. Their stylish branding and fruit-forward flavors helped move ACV from pantry to pop culture. And when PepsiCo acquired Poppi in 2024, it signaled something even bigger: the mainstream is catching on to the value of gut health, herbal ingredients, and time-tested tonics.

While we don’t fault anyone for cracking open a store-bought can, we’re here to say: you can make something even better at home.

Closing Thoughts

Shrubs are herbalism you can sip. They’re lively and flavorful - a perfect invitation to explore herbs in your everyday life.

Whether you’re growing tulsi on your windowsill or foraging wild berries in summer, there’s a shrub waiting to be made. And as more and more people look for alternatives to sugary sodas, this simple kitchen tonic offers something both old and new: a delicious, nourishing way to care for your belly and delight your senses.

Ready to give it a try? Share your favorite herbal shrub creations with us—or stop by the farm to taste a few of ours.

Interested in knowing more about what's going on on the farm? Our occasional emails bring you stories from the field, new herbs for sale, and herbal insights.
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