Chive Blossom Shrub Cocktails are drinks made with vinegar! Not for the faint of heart, they’re guaranteed to keep things interesting.

This is probably going to be one of the very few recipes on my website where I caution you AGAINST making it! Shrub cocktails are already a controversial drink – they’re made with vinegar, so they’re not exactly crowd-pleasing. Then on top of that, I’ve made this recipe with savory, onion-y chive blossom vinegar as the base! So these Chive Blossom Shrub Cocktails will definitely not be everyone’s cup of tea.

I give these strong warnings so that you know this will not be a casual, sip-able drink. It should go without saying that if you don’t like chives/onions/garlic or vinegar, you definitely will not like this recipe. However, oftentimes on the internet you find these things need to be said. I don’t have too many horror stories from the 9 years I’ve been food blogging, but it’s becoming more and more common that people will make recipes with a core ingredient they already know they don’t like, then leave a bad review when they **inevitably** don’t like the recipe. One time I had a reader send me an angry email about a mustard-based dressing recipe I posted. She ranted that the recipe “turned out terrible”, but ended it with “I don’t even like mustard anyway.” (?!?!)

This is an extension of what is now known as the “bean soup effect” on TikTok. A while back, a creator posted a recipe for a bean soup that contained several different types of beans. The recipe specifically intended to provide a source of plant-based iron for vegans. Totally innocuous, right? Wrong. The comments were flooded with things like, “What if I don’t like beans?” and “What about people who are allergic to beans” and “What can I substitute for the beans?”. These comments were so virally egregious that there were many thinkpieces written about them by various news organizations.

Sometimes I truly despair of what is happening in the world. It should be common sense that if – hey, you don’t like beans, maybe this isn’t the recipe for you. Or if you can’t have beans, there’s a simple solution – don’t make the recipe! There are millions of other recipes on the internet to try instead.

I could get a lot sassier about this, but I think I will end my rant here :) Except to say, kindly, please don’t make this recipe if you don’t like chives or vinegar. It is almost completely guaranteed you will not like this drink!! Thank you!!

Should I even try this recipe?

Yes! For my chive-loving, vinegar-tolerating, open-minded friends out there, here’s why you should try this shrub. First of all, it’s unique. It’s something fun to try if you’re feeling adventurous. If you like other tangy, savory cocktails like Bloody Marys, you might like this! This recipe might also go over well if you like kombucha.

Here’s what makes it work. The chive blossom vinegar is undoubtedly strong and mildly chive-y. But the addition of limoncello adds a fruity note, which pairs so well with the addition of pungent, juniper-based gin. Gin is really the star here, because it goes so well with herbal drinks. And it has a strong enough flavor that it can hold its own with the flavorful chive blossom vinegar.

Because this cocktail is so tangy and acidic, it’ll go well with rich foods like grilled meats, cheese-based dishes, or things made with a lot of butter or oil. But I do strongly recommend not drinking this with dessert. Best of luck, if you try this recipe!!

Chive Blossom Shrub Cocktails FAQs

What is a shrub in cocktails?

What alcohol to mix with shrub?

What can I use instead of chive blossom vinegar in this recipe?

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Chive Blossom Shrub Cocktails

Chive Blossom Shrubs are a unique cocktail made from vinegar! Not for the faint of heart, they're guaranteed to keep things interesting.

Course Cocktails

Keyword chive blossoms, gin, limoncello, simple syrup

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 1/2 Oz Chive Blossom Vinegar link in notes
• 1/2 Oz Limoncello
• 2 Oz Gin
• 1 Oz Simple Syrup
• 2 Sprigs Spearmint for garnish, optional
• 2 Chive Blossoms for garnish, optional

Instructions

• To a cocktail shaker, add the vinegar, limoncello, gin, and simple syrup. Add in several ice cubes and shake for 45-60 seconds, until the shaker is ice cold.
• Pour the shrub into two glasses, filled to the brim with ice.
• Garnish with sprigs of spearmint and chive blossoms, if you'd like.
• Enjoy!

Notes

Use this recipe for the Chive Blossom Vinegar!

P.S.

For more recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!