NonSuch Shrubs Review
Have you ever thought about drinking vinegar?
On Thursday 18th January ONIN London was invited to sample Nonsuch Shrubs, a brand of fruitful, herbaceous infused uplifting drinking vinegar. Historically, people used to drink vinegar (known as shrubs), however they have been re-imagined by masterminds Henry Chevallier Guild and Dave Steward who wanted to create a non-alcoholic beverage that people would enjoy. In essence, Nonsuch Shrubs are a blending of fruit juice, sparkling spring water and apple cider vinegar.
Our first taste was the lemon and tarragon shrub. Made with lemons, sugar, tarragon and cider vinegar diluted with water, it was a refreshing drink. It can also be used for cooking and as a salad dressing. Before sampling the apple and cardamom shrub, we were able to see a demonstration of how it is made using only four ingredients (apples, sugar, cardamom seeds and cider vinegar, though it is best to leave the sugar and fruit together for 24 hours before adding the other ingredients). The audience was enraptured by Henry providing us with the history of apples including how they were spread across the globe, and even providing some tips on how to grow your own apple tree. Both these drinks could be enjoyed as created or by adding some sparkling water. Sadly, these two flavours are not available to buy in stores or online at the moment.
The Blackcurrant and Juniper shrub is a deep purple red colour. Its apple and blackcurrant flavours with the aroma of blackcurrant and juniper are enhanced by the cider vinegar. The Cherry and Mint shrub is a dark, rich cherry colour tasting of sour cherry, apples and mint with aromas of mint. Our favourite shrub of the night was the Peach and Basil. This golden coloured shrub tastes and smells like the name suggests. These three came in ready to drink bottles.
Those three shrubs were paired with a menu created by Elaine Chalmers and Pete Le Faucheur. For January, the owner of Dalston restaurant A Little of What You Fancy and her long-term associate, have created a meat-free menu featuring seasonal ingredients. The carrot hummus with roast heritage carrots, feta, carrot pickles, smoked almonds on cumin flat bread was delicious. I’d have it again in a heartbeat. The other menu items were beetroot and celeriac gratin with raw fennel and dill salad and a seven vegetable tagine with green couscous.
So if you want to do a ‘dry’ month or just want an alternative to alcohol, I’d definitely recommend Nonsuch Shrubs.
Nonsuch shrubs are available online or from Borough Wines and Beers stores and their online store for £3.50.
Website: www.NonsuchShrubs.com and www.boroughwines.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Boroughwines and www.twitter.com/nonsuchshrubs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/boroughwines/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nonsuchshrubs and www.instagram.com/boroughwines
