Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler

This elegant mocktail offers a delightful balance of sweet, ripe strawberries and the complex, tangy notes of aged balsamic vinegar. The homemade shrub syrup provides a depth of flavor that is both fruity and acidic, which is then lifted by the bright effervescence of sparkling water. It's a grown-up, non-alcoholic drink that proves you don't need spirits to create a memorable and satisfying beverage experience.
Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler is classified as a modern mocktail. It's a contemporary non-alcoholic beverage that uses a historical preserving method (the shrub) to create a complex, sophisticated flavor profile suitable for adults.

Serving

Serve this mocktail cold in a tall Highball or Collins glass filled with ice to maintain its refreshing chill. As a non-alcoholic beverage, it can be enjoyed by everyone.
Serving size
200 ml / 7 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

Shrubs, or drinking vinegars, have a rich history dating back to colonial America and 17th-century England as a method for preserving fruit without refrigeration. Fruit was preserved in vinegar, and the resulting syrup was mixed with water or spirits to create a refreshing drink. This Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler is a modern homage to that tradition, pairing the classic strawberry with the rich complexity of balsamic for a contemporary twist.
Origin
While the technique of making shrubs is historical, originating in 17th-century England, this specific flavor combination is a modern craft creation. It reflects the 21st-century revival of classic beverage techniques and an interest in complex, non-alcoholic drink options. There is no single creator, but it's part of the broader craft mocktail movement.

Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler

This mocktail is primarily known as the Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler, highlighting its key ingredients. Alternative names like Strawberry Balsamic Fizz or Balsamic Berry Spritzer are also used to describe its bubbly and fruity nature.
Original name
Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler
Alternative names
  • Strawberry Balsamic Fizz
  • Balsamic Berry Spritzer

Characteristics overview

This drink boasts a vibrant red appearance with a fruity strawberry aroma balanced by the tang of balsamic. Its flavor is a complex interplay of sweet and sour, with a light, crisp texture and a clean, refreshing finish perfect for summer.
Flavor
fruity, tangy, sweet, tart, complex, slightly herbaceous
Aroma
ripe strawberry, balsamic vinegar, fresh, fruity
Taste balance
sweet-sour
Aftertaste
clean, tangy, lingering fruitiness
Fizziness
bubbly, effervescent, crisp
Color appearance
vibrant ruby red, clear, sparkling
Texture
light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
refreshing, summery, spring

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely fruity and sour, with a moderate sweetness to create a balanced taste profile. Being non-alcoholic and non-creamy, its intensity comes from the concentrated shrub and lively carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This drink is built around a homemade strawberry balsamic shrub syrup, which is then lengthened with sparkling water. The basic ingredients for the shrub itself are fresh strawberries, sugar, and good-quality balsamic vinegar.
  • Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Syrup45 ml / 1.5 oz
    This is a homemade syrup. See instructions for the recipe, which requires fresh strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
  • Sparkling Water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Club soda or seltzer can be used as alternatives.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You'll need basic barware like a highball glass and a bar spoon for assembly. The key component, the shrub syrup, requires a mason jar for maceration and a fine-mesh sieve for straining.
  • Highball glass for building and serving the drink.
  • Bar spoon for gentle stirring.
  • Mason jar and fine-mesh sieve for preparing the shrub syrup.

Instructions

The process involves first creating a strawberry balsamic shrub syrup, which takes a few days of inactive time. Once the shrub is ready, the final drink is quickly assembled by combining the syrup and sparkling water over ice in a glass.
1. To make the shrub syrup: Combine 1 cup of hulled, chopped fresh strawberries and 1 cup of granulated sugar in a clean mason jar. Seal and shake well.
2. Let the strawberry-sugar mixture sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours, shaking it occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved into a syrup.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bottle or jar, pressing on the solids to extract all the syrup. Discard the solids.
4. Add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to the strawberry syrup. Shake well to combine. Refrigerate the shrub for at least a day before using to allow flavors to meld. It can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.
5. To assemble the drink: Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
6. Pour 1.5 oz (45 ml) of the prepared Strawberry Balsamic Shrub syrup over the ice.
7. Top the glass with approximately 4 oz (120 ml) of sparkling water.
8. Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
9. Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice and a basil leaf before serving.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a fresh strawberry slice enhances the drink's primary flavor, while a fresh basil leaf adds a complementary aromatic and herbal note.
  • Fresh Strawberry Slice: Place a thin slice of strawberry on the rim or float it in the drink.
  • Fresh Basil Leaf: Slap a single basil leaf to release its aroma and place it on top of the drink.

Dietary Information

This mocktail is naturally free from alcohol, caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets; ensure the sugar used is bone-char free for strict vegans and the balsamic vinegar is certified gluten-free if required.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This mocktail is moderately caloric, with most of its energy coming from carbohydrates and sugars present in the homemade shrub syrup. The nutritional content is primarily from the fruit and added sugar.
Calories
Approximately 100-120 kcal / 418-502 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 25-30 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 25-30 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile mocktail is perfect for warm-weather occasions like summer parties, picnics, and brunches. Its sophisticated flavor profile also makes it an excellent non-alcoholic option for dinner parties and celebratory gatherings where a festive, yet spirit-free, beverage is desired.
  • Summer Party
  • Brunch
  • Dinner Party
  • Baby Shower
  • Sophisticated Social Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The sweet and tangy profile of this sparkler pairs wonderfully with creamy and savory appetizers like goat cheese crostini. It also complements light mains such as grilled chicken or fish and acts as a refreshing counterpoint to sweet, creamy desserts.
  • Goat cheese and fig crostini
  • Light summer salads with vinaigrette dressing
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Panna cotta or fruit tarts

The Sophisticated Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler

The Strawberry Balsamic Shrub Sparkler is a testament to the complexity and elegance achievable in non-alcoholic beverages. By reviving the colonial-era technique of creating a shrub, it transforms simple ingredients—strawberries, sugar, and vinegar—into a syrup with profound depth. Topped with sparkling water, it becomes a crisp, refreshing, and visually appealing mocktail that balances sweetness and acidity perfectly. It's an ideal choice for anyone seeking a sophisticated, spirit-free drink that is both delicious and intriguing.

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