Birch Beer Shrub Recipe

Prepare birch flavor

If using fresh birch twigs: rinse twigs, bruise lightly with the back of a knife or a rolling pin to release oils, then roughly chop to fit in a jar. If using birch sap or bottled birch extract, measure 1 cup and skip maceration step.

Make simple syrup with aromatics

In a small saucepan combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Add the bruised/chopped birch twigs (or the measured birch sap/extract), 6 allspice berries and 6 cracked black peppercorns. Warm over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, bring just to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes to bloom the spices and extract birch flavor; do not boil vigorously.

Infuse

Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. Transfer the syrup and solids into a clean glass jar, pressing the solids gently with a spoon to release liquid.

Strain and add vinegar

After the syrup cools to room temperature (about 30–60 minutes total from heating), strain it through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl or jar to remove twigs and spices. Stir in 1 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice until fully combined. Taste: the shrub should be bright, balanced between sweet and tart; adjust by adding up to 1–2 tablespoons more vinegar for tang or 1–2 tablespoons more sugar (dissolve in a tablespoon of hot water) if too tart.

Age (recommended)

Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks to allow flavors to meld. Shake gently before using. The shrub syrup will keep refrigerated for 2–3 months.

Fill a serving glass with 1 cup ice.

Measure 2 tablespoons birch shrub syrup into the glass.

Pour 6 oz chilled sparkling water over the shrub syrup and ice. Stir gently to combine and taste; adjust by adding more shrub (up to 3 tbs) for more flavor or more sparkling water to dilute.

Garnish with a lemon wheel or a small fresh birch twig, and serve immediately.

Batch serving notes: For a pitcher, mix 1 cup shrub syrup with 4 cups chilled sparkling water, adjust to taste, and keep chilled. Add ice to individual glasses to avoid diluting the whole pitcher.