Several people have asked me for specific directions on how
to make Mrs. Lydia Child’s Raspberry Shrub from The American
Frugal Housewife (1833). Since summer is waning fast and berries
are becoming scarce, I reckon I better do it now!
First, here again is Mrs. Child’s receipt:
Raspberry Shrub
Raspberry shrub mixed with water is a pure,
delicious drink for summer; and in a country
where raspberries are abundant, it is good
economy to make it answer instead of Port
and Catalonia wine. Put raspberries in a pan,
and scarcely cover them with strong vinegar.
Add a pint of sugar to a pint of juice; (of this
you can judge by first trying your pan to see
how much it holds;) scald it, skim it, and
bottle it when cold.
And now, here’s my “translation”:
Put berries in a saucepan.
Add vinegar to just barely, almost cover them.
(I always use cider vinegar, but any is fine)
Cook until the berries have disintegrated/become mush.
Strain out all juice (throw out pulp).
Measure the amount of juice.
Return juice to saucepan and add an equal amount of sugar.
(So, if you have 3/4 cup juice, add 3/4 cup sugar, if 1 1/2 cups
of juice, add 1 1/2 cups sugar, and so on);
Cook again, just to a boil.
(I usually let it boil for a minute or two.)
Let cool.
Skim off any skin that forms on top.
Pour into container(s) when cool.
Refrigerate.
To use: put two to four spoonfuls (depending on own taste)
of syrup in a glass, add water and ice, and enjoy! (More sugar
can be added at this point, if so desired.)
Also, berries other than raspberries may be used.
Now, go make some shrub!
