Recipe

Cranberry Thyme Shrub Martha’s Way

I tested five methods for making cranberry shrub syrups, and Martha Stewart’s method won the day! Not only is it delicious, it’s beautiful. I cooked the syrup a little longer than her method indicated–just until the first cranberries started to pop. This softened them enough to release their flavors. 

Perhaps my favorite thing about this recipe is that the cranberries stay whole and gorgeous floating in that red velvety liquid. Use them to garnish your drinks. Try with sparkling water for a mocktail and with bourbon for a refreshing fall cocktail. 

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Overview

What can you say about a recipe that comes together in minutes, is absolutely gorgeious, and tastes amazing? I call it the winner for cranberries. Mine forever. Thanks, Martha!

Cranberry Thyme Ingredients

1 lb. fresh cranberries

1 1/2 cups white wine vinegar

¾ cup white or golden sugar

3-4 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

Step 1

Wash the cranberries and sort through them. Discard any soft or rotton berries. 

Step 2

Put everything into a medium saucepan. Heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Continue to heat until you hear the first cranberry POP.

Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.

Step 3

Put everything into a clean jar and pop it in the fridge and let everything mingle for several days to 3 weeks.

Use the liquid to flavor your beverages and garnish with the cranberries. 

Try this Bourbon Cranberry-Thyme Shrub Cocktail.

Mix bourbon, cranberry shrub, seltzer water, and garnish with cranberries and a sprig of thyme.

Cranberry Thyme Shrub Martha's Way

5 from 3 votes
Jennifer Young
Servings 20
Calories 40 kcal
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 3 days
Total Time 3 days 40 minutes
For cranberries, this is my favorite method! Fast, easy, delicious, and no waste.
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Equipment

  • Large jar with tight-fitting lid
  • Saucepan
  • Funnel
  • Measuring cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. fresh cranberries
  • ¾ cup golden or white sugar
  • 1 ½ cups white wine vinegar
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions
 

  • Wash the cranberries and sort through them. Discard any soft or rotten fruit.
  • Put the cranberries, sugar, and vinegar into a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high and stir until the sugar is dissolved and one or two cranberries pop. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool.
  • Put everything into a clean jar and pop it in the fridge. Let everything mingle for several days to 3 weeks.
  • Use the liquid to flavor your beverages and garnish with the cranberries.
  • Try a Bourbon Cranberry-Thyme Shrub Cocktail. Mix bourbon, cranberry shrub, seltzer water, and garnish with cranberries.

Notes

After trying five methods with 5 pounds of cranberries, the verdict is in. THIS is the best method. It relies on heat only to dissolve the sugar and soften the berries slightly. Heat until one or two berries pop, then turn it off.
The berries are preserved as part of the concoction and are a delightful addition to cocktails and mocktails, even those made with other shrubs. And without a doubt, white wine vinegar is the perfect vinegar for cranberries. Bravo, Martha! 

Nutrition

Serving: 2TCalories: 40kcal
Keyword Beverages, Cocktails, Drinking Vinegar, Mocktails, Shrubs
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