Shrubs!

I am obsessed with this cranberry shrub (recipe from Sunset).  I've been making it almost every week since November and mixing it with sparkling water, vodka, or gin.  It's absolutely wonderful.

 

Ingredients

 

12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

1. Bring all ingredients to a simmer with 2 cups water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes until most of the cranberries have burst.

2. Strain mixture, pressing liquid out of pulp using the back of a spoon. Discard pulp. Chill at least 1 hour. Store for up to 3 months.

Tonight I made what will probably be my last batch.  Now that it's already in the 70s here, cranberries seem a little too wintery, so I'm going to experimenting with spring shrubs instead, maybe something with pomegranate, apricots, or berries.