Spiced Plum & Oregano Sparkling Shrub: Your New Favorite Sip 🍷✨
Hey there, flavor adventurers! 👋 Emily here, apron slightly dusted with cinnamon (as usual) and bubbling with excitement to share today’s recipe. If you’ve ever stared at a basket of ripe plums and thought, “Jam again? *Really?*”—I’ve got your back. Let’s ditch the predictable and whip up something that’ll make your taste buds dance: my Spiced Plum & Oregano Sparkling Shrub! 🥂
Picture this: sweet-tart plum jammin’ with earthy oregano, a kick of allspice, and apple cider vinegar’s tang, all fizzed up with sparkling water. It’s bold, unexpected, and ridiculously refreshing. Whether you’re skipping cocktails, hosting a brunch, or just craving a grown-up soda that doesn’t scream “sugar bomb,” this shrub’s your soulmate. And the best part? It’s stupidly easy. No fancy tools, no obscure ingredients—just pure, sparkling alchemy. Ready to shake up your sipping routine? Let’s get brewing!
The Accidental Love Affair
This recipe started with a happy accident. Last summer, my oregano plant staged a hostile takeover of my herb garden. (Seriously, it was like “Little Shop of Horrors” out there!) Meanwhile, my neighbor dumped a grocery bag of overripe plums on my counter—”Emily, you’re the cooking witch, *fix these*.” Challenge accepted. 🧙♀️
I started simmering plums for compote, but my rogue oregano sprig fell right into the pot. Instead of freaking out, I thought: “What if…?” I added vinegar and honey, strained it, and poured it over ice with soda water. One sip later? MIND. BLOWN. It tasted like my grandma’s spiced plum cake met a fancy cocktail—earthy, sweet-tart, and utterly addictive. Now, I deliberately let my oregano run wild just for this. 😉
Spiced Plum & Oregano Sparkling Shrub
Gather Your Flavor Squad
Makes ~1 cup shrub base (enough for 4 drinks)
- 1 cup ripe plums, pitted + chopped – Go for squishy-ripe ones! Black plums = deeper color, red = brighter tartness. No plums? Try blackberries or figs.
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar – The backbone! Raw/unfiltered (like Bragg’s) adds complexity. White wine vinegar works in a pinch.
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup – Honey leans floral, maple adds warmth. Agave or sugar work too—adjust to taste.
- ¼ tsp ground allspice – Our secret weapon! It’s like cinnamon + clove + nutmeg had a baby. Don’t skip!
- 1 small sprig fresh oregano – Yes, FRESH. Dried turns bitter. No oregano? Fresh thyme or rosemary are gorgeous swaps.
- Sparkling water + ice – Plain or lemon-lime! Topo Chico’s fizz is *chef’s kiss*.
- Plum slices + extra oregano (garnish) – Optional but pretty. Makes it feel ~fancy~.
Brewing Your Liquid Gold: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Simmer & Seduce
Grab a saucepan. Toss in plums, vinegar, honey, allspice, and that oregano sprig. No need to chop herbs—we’ll strain later! Heat over medium until it starts bubbling gently. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll smell the magic: plums softening, oregano perfuming the air, vinegar mellowing out. When it looks like chunky jam, you’re golden. CHEF HACK: Mash plums lightly with a spoon mid-simmer to extract more juice!
Step 2: Cool + Strain
Pull the pot off the heat. Let it cool uncovered (about 30 mins). Patience, grasshopper—this prevents your jar from cracking later! Pour the mix through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar or bottle. Press the pulp gently with a spoon to squeeze out every last drop of that ruby goodness. Discard the pulp (or smear it on toast—chef’s snack!). Seal the jar and refrigerate. BONUS TIP: Let it chill overnight! Flavors deepen into something EPIC.
Step 3: Fizz & Feast
Fill a glass with ice. Add 2-3 tbsp of your shrub base. Top with sparkling water—start with equal parts shrub to fizzy water, then adjust to your taste. Stir GENTLY (we love bubbles, don’t murder them!). Garnish with a plum slice and tiny oregano sprig. Sip immediately! ✨
How to Serve This Stunner
This shrub screams “party time” in a glass! Serve it in:
- Chilled coupe glasses for cocktail-hour vibes
- Mason jars with reusable straws for porch-swing sipping
- Over crushed ice with extra plum slices for peak refreshment
Pair it with sharp cheeses, grilled chicken skewers, or dark chocolate. It cuts through richness like a dream!
Shake Up Your Shrub!
Spicy Fiesta: Add 2 thin slices of jalapeño while simmering 🌶️
Herb Swap: Use thyme (earthy) or basil (bright) instead of oregano
Boozy Upgrade: Splash with gin or bourbon for a knockout cocktail 🥃
Winter Twist: Swap plums for cranberries + orange zest
Low-Sugar: Halve the honey, add 1 tsp stevia at the end
Emily’s Extra Nuggets of Wisdom
This recipe is my kitchen’s happy place—it’s evolved more than my taste in aprons! Initially, I used white vinegar (too harsh!) and dried oregano (bitter fail). Now? Raw ACV and fresh herbs only. Also, DON’T skip the allspice—it’s the cozy hug that ties it all together. One time, my cat Mr. Whiskers knocked oregano into the pot again while I was straining… and honestly? Extra herbiness rocked. Moral: Embrace the chaos. Cooking’s supposed to be fun, not perfect!
Your Shrub Questions—Answered!
Q: How long does shrub base last?
A: Up to 1 month refrigerated! The vinegar preserves it. Just give it a shake before using.
Q: Mine tastes too tart/vinegary. Help!
A: Easy fix! Stir extra honey into your glass OR dilute with more sparkling water. Next batch, reduce vinegar to ⅓ cup.
Q: Can I use frozen plums?
A: Absolutely! Thaw first. Bonus: they break down faster when simmering.
Q: Why “shrub”? Sounds weird!
A: Colonial-era word for vinegar-based sirables! They’re back in style because they’re DELICIOUS. 😉
Light & Lovely Sips
Per serving (with 3 tbsp shrub + sparkling water):
Calories: ~45 | Sugar: 8g | Carbs: 10g
Using maple syrup? Adds 1g more sugar/serving. Zero fat or protein!
Spiced Plum & Oregano Sparkling Shrub
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Bold, fizzy, and delightfully unexpected—this spiced plum shrub with a whisper of oregano is a game-changer in the mocktail world. It hits sweet, tart, and savory notes all at once, making it a perfect sipper for non-alcoholic drinkers and curious mixologists alike.
Ingredients
1 cup ripe plums, pitted and chopped
½ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup honey or maple syrup
¼ tsp ground allspice
1 small sprig fresh oregano (plus more for garnish)
Sparkling water
Ice cubes
Optional: plum slices for garnish
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine plums, vinegar, honey, allspice, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and let cool. Strain through a fine mesh into a jar or bottle. Chill the shrub base for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
To serve, fill a glass with ice and 2–3 tablespoons of shrub base. Top with sparkling water.
Stir gently and garnish with plum slices and a fresh oregano sprig.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 45/ serving
- Sugar: 8g/ serving
- Carbohydrates: 10g/ serving
Final Thoughts: Sip Bold, Stay Curious
Well darlin’, there you have it—a sparkling glass of sass, spice, and surprise! This Spiced Plum & Oregano Sparkling Shrub isn’t just a drink; it’s a mood. A vibe. A whole garden party in a tumbler. It’s for the rebels who ditch soda cans, the dreamers who want something tart but tender, and the curious cooks who whisper “what if?” when oregano falls into jam pots.
Every time I pour a glass, I’m reminded that flavor magic doesn’t come from fancy gadgets or flawless steps—it comes from the joyful chaos of experimenting. So next time life hands you too many plums or a rogue herb garden, smile big and make a shrub.
Tag me @EmilyWalkerKitchen if you whip one up—I’ll be cheering you on with a chilled coupe and a garnish that’s extra, just like you. 💃✨
