Contrary to our mainstream thinking, vinegar is not just for salad dressings. Vinegars enhance and compliment everything from soups, entrées, and sides to desserts and, yes, even cocktails. In fact, vinegar in cocktails has garnered significant interest from well-known libation artists in recent years. It makes sense; vinegars easily blend with almost everything, providing complex and unique flavors. But, many of us struggle to get past that label: VINEGAR.
Did you know they had a different name for drinking vinegars many years ago? I guess they didn't like the name “vinegar” either. Old school drinking vinegars, called "shrubs" (not the ones in your yard), became popular in the late 1600s. Shrubs were a drink, or drink base (a syrup made of fruit, sugar, and vinegar). Today, we’re seeing a major resurgence in the use of shrubs and vinegar drinks.
Vinegars are also gaining great popularity with many bartenders. Retired New York bartender and culinary artist Kelley Slagle says “Without acidity, you have
flabby drinks – you need it for ‘backbone’”. (Cameron, 2021) Vinegar offers drink-makers a wealth of new flavor opportunities. This new popularity of using vinegars in cocktails inspired the organization, Tales of Cocktails, to bring focus to vinegars in seminars. Who knew such a connection between alcohol and vinegars would create sparks? Perhaps they were always meant to be together.
Our vinegars are all natural, fresh-fruit based, with a sweetness and tartness that hearkens back to the shrub. They’re ready for mixing, blending, OR - get this - you can enjoy them straight up! These flavor-friendly vinegars offer a fantastic way to elevate your cocktail game. Whether you’re a rookie or a professional at making drinks, people will taste the difference (and you don't have to tell them your secret ingredient is vinegar!)
References
Cameron, I. (2021). Vinegar & Vinegar in Cocktails. Difford's Guide for Discerning Drinkers. Retrieved
from https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/62/cocktails/vinegar-and-vinegar-in-
cocktails
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