Sip to Wellness: The Gentle Health Benefits of Herbal and Fruit Shrubs

At Beloved Bijou Adornments & Apothecary, we love rituals that help people slow down, savor the moment, and nourish the body with intention. One of the oldest—and most delightful—ways to do this is through herbal and fruit shrubs, the tangy, sweet-tart infusions made from vinegar, fruit, and botanicals.

While shrubs have recently become trendy in artisanal cafés and wellness circles, they’ve actually been around for centuries. Today, many people enjoy them as a refreshing beverage, an alcohol-free alternative, or a simple way to incorporate herbs into daily life.

Let’s explore what makes these little bottles of goodness so special.

 

What Exactly Is a Shrub?

A shrub (sometimes called a “drinking vinegar”) is a blend of:

✨️ Fruit or berries

✨️ Herbs or aromatics

✨️ Raw apple cider vinegar

✨️ A natural sweetener (like honey or cane sugar)

The mixture ferments slightly or infuses over time, creating a bright, tangy concentrate that can be mixed with sparkling water, added to cocktails, or drizzled over food.

Not only are they an excellent way to preserve your Summer garden's bounty, shrubs are simple, delicious, and supportive of overall wellness.  Here is our Persimmon Shrub, available seasonally beginning in October. 

Wellness Benefits of Herbal & Fruit Shrubs

1. A Flavorful Way to Support Digestion

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), the base of most shrubs, has long been used as a digestive tonic.

While research on ACV is ongoing, studies suggest it may help:

✅️ Support healthy digestion by encouraging stomach acid production

✅️ Promote gentle gut motility

✅️ Maintain balanced blood sugar after meals

When combined with herbs like ginger, mint, basil, or thyme, shrubs become an even more soothing ritual for post-meal wellness.

2. A Natural Source of Antioxidants

Shrubs highlight fresh fruits—berries, stone fruits, pomegranates, citrus—and many herbs known for their antioxidant content. Antioxidants help the body buffer everyday oxidative stress.

Examples:

🫐 Blueberries & blackberries → anthocyanins

🍋 Citrus fruits → vitamin C

🌿 Rosemary & thyme → rosmarinic acid

🌺 Hibiscus → polyphenols

Sipping these botanicals makes it easy (and fun!) to support overall vitality.

3. A Gentle Alternative to Sugary or Alcoholic Drinks

Shrubs are beloved for being:

✅️ Flavorful

✅️ Low in sugar (when made thoughtfully)

✅️ Alcohol-free

✅️ Refreshing and uplifting

For many people, switching to shrubs can help reduce soda or cocktail consumption, making them a wellness-forward choice without losing the joy of a craft beverage.

4. Supportive Herbs, Made Accessible

Herbs that may feel intimidating in tea or tincture form become approachable in shrubs.

Some popular choices include:

🫚 Ginger – warming, aromatic, supportive for digestion

🌿 Mint – cooling, uplifting

🌿 Lavender – calming and aromatic

🌿 Basil – refreshing and anti-inflammatory in culinary use

🌿 Thyme – bright, herbal, traditionally used for throat and respiratory support

Shrubs make herbs fun, approachable, and easy to integrate into everyday life.

5. A Mindful Ritual

Beyond their physical benefits, shrubs encourage:

🦥 slowing down

😋 savoring small pleasures

🥂 replacing habitual drinking with intentional choices

😌 creating a self-care moment that feels comforting and luxurious

 

This aligns beautifully with the heart of Beloved Bijou—celebrating intentionality, self-love, and handcrafted ritual.

How to Enjoy Herbal & Fruit Shrubs

Try them:

🍸 with sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail

🍹drizzled over ice with fresh herbs

🧋 mixed into iced tea

🥗 splashed into salad dressings

🥂 paired with sparkling cider or botanical sodas

A little goes a long way.

 

Final Thoughts

Herbal and fruit shrubs offer a beautiful intersection of flavor, tradition, and gentle wellness support. They make herbs approachable, delicious, and joyfully woven into daily life.

At Beloved Bijou Adornments & Apothecary, we treasure these small rituals of nourishment—and shrubs fit perfectly into the world of intentional, handcrafted self-care.

Here's a recipe for making your shrub today!

Note:  heating is not necessary unless you want to use it immediately. 

Otherwise, just add it all to a Mason Jar and let it soak in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. 

Our Favorite Combinations:

Allergies - Nettle and Kiwis

Calm - Blueberries and Lavender 

Menopause - Red Clover and Cherries