Approachable Cooking with Liz: Prickly Pear Shrubs – YUM!

The first of many-to-come posts in the category: Approachable Cooking with Liz!

A couple weeks ago I wanted to make some shrubs so I could have some delightfully fun add-ins to my sparkling water as we continue our sobriety in the household. I love shrubs, and they are so easy to make, and expensive to buy. So, I decided to make my own!

You can make them with heat or at room temp, and I chose the simplest way for my first batch. I love prickly pear, so that was a no brainer! If you’ve never had prickly pear, they are tart and flavorful, and super bright and beautiful.

I bought some at our local Hispanic market because the ones on our hikes have been either completely or partially demolished by the wildlife! The ones on roadside prickly pear bushes just strike me as gross because they’re covered in all the traffic pollution. They’re not expensive at the market; I got four for 99 cents!

1. I diced my prickly pear fruits into approximately 3/4 inch pieces and put an even amount in each of three of my canning jars. For reference, my jars are 16 oz, and four prickly pear fruits filled three jars slightly more than half full.
2. Add sugar. I use raw cane sugar. I used less than some people might; I used less than 1/4 cup per jar.
3. Add apple cider vinegar. I added approximately 1/2 cup per jar.
4. Shake them up and let sit. I let sit for almost 48 hours. It’ll be really syrupy and thick!
5. Add about 1/4 c more apple cider vinegar to each jar and mix; then blend in a blender until your fruit chunks are generally well blended.
6. Strain. I used my colander, and you can also use a cheesecloth, whatever works best for you.
7. Tighten your lids and store in the fridge.

To make your mocktail, simply add 3-5 spoonfuls of the shrubs to a glass of your favorite sparkling water! I say 3-5 because it’s really just – add as much as tastes good to you, haha! If you need another spoonful, go for it.

I like to make my mocktails in a fun glass, and I love my wine glasses that I’ve collected over the years of formerly drinking wine quite often. I keep them for the occasional glass of wine (increasingly less frequent), guests, and fun mocktails or just a fun way to enjoy sparkling water! Enjoy!!