Blackberry Shrub

This is such a great fruity but not-too-sweet summer cocktail. I saw the Bon App's Shrub Recipe and given my propensity for vinegar, I could resist. You can use any ripe summer fruit. I chose blackberries because they're Jamie's favorite. They were so light and delicious, and dangerous because you hardly taste the alcohol. Don't let the vinegar scare you. No one knew there was any vinegar in them until I told them how the cocktails were made. Can't wait to make them again, and try with another fruit! Maybe nectarines??

Makes 4-6 cocktails

Ingredients:

2 cups blackberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

2 tbsp white distilled vinegar

vodka

lemon juice

Directions:

To make the shrub:

Bring sugar and water to a boil. 

Add the blackberries and reduce the heat to a simmer. (Save a couple for garnish.)

Simmer for 10 minutes then turn off the heat. 

Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. 

Strain the delicious syrup into a bowl. Stir in the vinegar. 

Chill in the fridge until you're ready to use it. I put it in a jar. Such a great color! (But don't spill!)

To make the cocktails:

For one cocktail (just multiply by however many you need)

In a cocktail shaker mix 2 oz shrub, 1.5-2oz vodka, about 1/2 oz of lemon juice, and a lot of ice. Shake until frosty. Pour into an ice-filled glass and top with a blackberry.