The term shrub derives etymologically from the Arabic word s(h)arab or s(h)arba for drinking. But since our interest is hedonistic and not linguistic, we want to leave it at that and devote ourselves to the renaissance of this drink.
Shrubs are vinegared fruit syrups that have been causing quite a stir in the bar world for some time now. It is a drink with a long and varied history that has almost been forgotten. Precursors can already be found among the ancient Greeks and Romans. The most popular soft drink of that period – one could say: the cola for the ancient world – was Posca, a non-alcoholic drink based on wine vinegar.
Shrubs are vinegared fruit syrups that have been causing quite a stir in the bar world for some time now. It is a drink with a long and varied history that has almost been forgotten. Precursors can already be found among the ancient Greeks and Romans.
The most popular soft drink of that period – one could say: the cola for the ancient world – was Posca, a non-alcoholic drink based on wine vinegar. The beginning of this story is in South and West Asia, with two different drinks.
One is Sharbat or Sherbet, a sweetened drink made from citrus fruits, rose petals and spices that is drunk from the Orient to India in different variations.
The other is the ancient Persian drink Sekanjabin, a refreshing drink based on honey and vinegar. Sherbet spread throughout the 16th century through the trading power of Venice throughout Europe.
Legends surround how this non-alcoholic beverage became a popular ingredient for spirits.
It is said that English smugglers who hid barrels containing sprits on the hull below the water