- Prep Time:
10 mins - Cook Time:
5 mins - Total Time:
15 mins
A sweet-tangy refreshing cocktail made with a homemade peach shrub. Skip the gin or bourbon to make this drink non-alcoholic.

You never know where recipe inspiration will come from. In this case, I shot this basil peach shrub cocktail before I even knew that that was what it was going to be. Confused? Let’s start this story from the beginning.
It started with a basil plant.
It was a purple basil plant with variegated leaves that a friend at Verde Greens farm had given me. The leaves were far too striking to be relegated to pesto or cooked into a sauce. I wanted to create images that were bold and flashy and would highlight the beauty of the leaves. After surveying the contents from my fridge, I poured some peach nectar into a glass and added some tonic water I had on hand. I ended up with the images you see here.
But then I needed a recipe.
Fortunately, a few weeks prior, I had learned to make a cocktail using a homemade shrub. In the past, I haven’t liked drinks made with shrubs because I found the flavor to be too sharp. However, this one was much smoother and I decided that I might need to reconsider my opinion of shrubs.
What is a shrub?
Regarding drinks, a shrub is a vinegar based fruit flavored mixer. There are several brands of bottled shrubs that are usually sold along side other cocktail mixers. However, it’s very easy to make your own.
This peach shrub uses rice wine vinegar and adds more water than most shrub recipes I’ve seen so I think it’s a good shrub recipe to start with if you’re not sure how you feel about vinegar in your drinks.
Can I use frozen peaches in a peach shrub?
Yes. Frozen peaches will work for this recipe. The final shrub isn’t quite as smooth as when using fresh peaches so you may want to strain the shrub before using it.
What spirit is used in a basil peach shrub cocktail?
My current favorite spirit is gin so that’s my go-to choice for this basil peach shrub cocktail. However, if you are a fan of a good bourbon smash, I think bourbon would be a great choice here too.
Can I make this basil peach shrub cocktail non-alcoholic?
Absolutely! You can skip the alcohol entirely and have a sweet-tangy refreshing drink that is perfect for summer.
Basil Peach Shrub Cocktail {or Mocktail}
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail + 1 1/2 cups peach shrub
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirring
- Cuisine: American
Description
A sweet-tangy refreshing cocktail made with a homemade peach shrub. Skip the gin or bourbon to make this drink non-alcoholic.
Ingredients
For the peach shrub
- 10 ounces fresh ripe peaches (peeled, cored, and diced) OR frozen peaches (thawed)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
For each cocktail
- 2–3 large basil leaves
- 2 ounces peach shrub
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1 ounce gin or bourbon, optional
- 1 1/2 ounces tonic water (I use Fever Tree)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
For the peach shrub
- Blend all the shrub ingredients in a food processor until relatively smooth.
- Pour the peach mixture into a saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using. For a smoother shrub, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
For each cocktail
- In a cocktail glass, muddle the basil leaves. Add the peach shrub, lemon or lime juice, and gin or bourbon (if using). Stir gently. Add ice and then top with tonic water. Give it another gentle stir, garnish with basil leaves, and serve.
Notes
The shrub can be made ahead of time, cooled, and stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Recipe adapted from Sarah Crowl and I’ll Have What She’s Having.
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