How to Make an Herbal Shrub with Roses
Our roses are happily blooming away in the garden and I have been enjoying being able to use them in all kinds of kitchen and apothecary recipes, including herbal shrubs. A shrub is an herb-infused preparation that is usually made with vinegar, honey and fruit. My husband really inspired me to like shrubs when he started working with them before drinking vinegars or shrubs were even really a popular thing. Since then, I have been experimenting with different combinations and this one has become a star in our kitchen. It is the sort of recipe that you remake when you are running low on the last batch because it is just that good. The ingredients are rich in vitamin C too, so it is pretty much a win-win!
Ingredients:
organic rose petals
organic rose hips
organic cherries
raw, organic apple cider vinegar
raw honey
To make your shrub, fill your jar 1/4 of the way with dried rose hips, then add cherries until the jar is about 2/3 full. Top off with fresh rose petals (organically grown; not from a florist). Pour apple cider vinegar over the plant material, secure the jar’s lid, and refrigerate the mixture for a week or two (or four, depending on how strong you like your shrubs). Strain out the herbs and stir in honey until it is sweet enough for your liking.
Tip: honey infused with ginger and cinnamon powders makes a lovely addition to this recipe!
Shrubs can be added to lemonades, teas, sparkling waters, juices and other beverages and they can also be used in homemade vinaigrette recipes.
About the Author
Hi there, I’m Erin! I am the main instructor here at Floranella. I am a clinical herbalist, aromatherapist, artisan distiller and organic gardener based in the Pacific Northwest. Here at Floranella, I teach people how to work with plants safely and effectively from the garden to the apothecary. Thanks for being here! I’m glad you stopped by.