Tasting Shrub Soda: A Pleasant Experience Contrary to Its Reputation for Being Pickly
In the early 2000s, a new beverage made its way onto the market - Shrubbly Shrub Soda. This refreshing drink is a revival of traditional vinegar-based soft drinks, harking back to colonial times when shrubs were used for fruit preservation and as mixers in cocktails.
Shrubbly Shrub Soda is a unique blend of fruit, in this case, aronia berry, and vinegar, mixed with sparkling water. The result is a bubbly, slightly tart, and flavourful drink that offers a healthier alternative to regular sodas.
Aronia berries, an ingredient in Shrubbly Shrub Soda, are rich in antioxidants and can help reduce the risk of chronic disease and strengthen the immune system. Another key ingredient is apple cider vinegar, known for promoting stable blood sugar, aiding in weight loss, and improving heart health.
Functional beverages, like Shrubbly Shrub Soda, are being marketed as healthier alternatives to sodas, with claims of improving focus, boosting immunity, and aiding gut health. While the fermentation process of Shrubbly Shrub Soda might contribute to gut health, the presence of probiotics in the final product is unclear.
Shrubbly Shrub Soda is low in calories, sugar, and carbs, making it a suitable choice for those following a keto diet. It is also non-GMO, organic, and free of high fructose corn syrup and other not-so-good-for-you ingredients commonly found in regular soda brands.
Shrubbly Shrub Soda comes in two flavours: Aronia Berry & Pomegranate, and Lemon Ginger & Aronia Berry. The Aronia Berry & Pomegranate flavour is deep red in colour, has a good amount of carbonation, and has a light, crisp, dry, slightly tart flavour with earthy hints of cardamom, sweetened with honey to balance the acidity of the apple cider vinegar. On the other hand, the Lemon Ginger & Aronia Berry flavour has a lighter red colour, is slightly bitter, and might be an acquired taste due to its less sweet nature.
Whether enjoyed as a standalone beverage or used as a cocktail or mocktail mixer, Shrubbly Shrub Soda offers a refreshing twist on traditional sodas. For those looking for a functional beverage and enjoy the taste of apple cider vinegar or kombucha, Shrubbly Shrub Soda is definitely worth a try. However, it is important to note that while Shrubbly Shrub Soda offers some potential health benefits, it is not expected to be a game-changer for one's diet.
Shrubbly, the Vermont-based brand behind Shrubbly Shrub Soda, aims to make daily soda consumption a wellness routine. With its unique blend of fruit, vinegar, and sparkling water, Shrubbly Shrub Soda offers a healthier alternative to regular sodas that is both delicious and beneficial for your health.
