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The Red Beet Rye Cocktail – A Whiskey Cocktail

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Last Updated on June 6, 2023 by Leah Hall

An interesting mix of flavors, this rye whiskey and red beet shrub cocktail makes for a great drink!

 

With the weather getting warmer, the season for the classic way to beat the heat, the shrub. Shrubs are a combination of sugar, fruit and vinegar that historically has been a way to preserve fruit and as a drink to help cool down. Last summer we tried our first shrub, a Honey Blackberry Shrub Cocktail, which made us really appreciate the combination of sweet fruit and tart vinegar.

 

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Red Beet Shrub Cocktail in two wineglasses, wooden spoon, cherry bitters bottle and whiskey bottle in backgroundThe cooling effect of the vinegar in the shrub made it perfect for sipping on a nice warm night by our pool. This first experience was such a success we ended up making the the blackberry shrub a number of times for our friends and family, and then we added rye whiskey into this cocktail!

Red Beet Shrub Cocktail in two wineglasses, wooden spoon and whiskey bottle in backgroundWood spoons / Stemless Wine Glasses / Blender

Shrub Cocktail

We recently posted a picture of a bunch of red beets that we got from the farmer’s market asking what our readers thought we should do with them.  One of our readers suggested that we make a beet shrub.  Because we love pickled beets, so the thought of making a shrub out of our beets sounded like a fun project to try.

 

We did a little research and came up with this Red Beet Shrub which has a earthy sweetness with just a hint of spice that makes this an intriguing layered flavor to add to cocktails.

What Ingredients are Needed for the Red Beet Rye Cocktail?

  • Red Beet Shrub
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Sugar
    • Beets
    • Cayenne Pepper
    • Peppercorns
    • Salt
  • Red Beet Rye Cocktail
    • Cherry Bitters
    • Rye Whiskey
    • Red Beet Shrub

 

We paired up the Beet Shrub with a bit of Templeton Rye, the tangy sweet of the shrub and the spicy caramel bite of the Templeton pairing up to make a delicious and beautifully colored cocktail. The Red Beet Rye shrub cocktail is easy to make as a single drink or make a pitcher to share!  If you want another root vegetable cocktail, try our Carrot Ginger Mimosa!

Red Beet Shrub Cocktail in two wineglasses, wooden spoon and whiskey bottle in backgroundCheers!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Spring Root Vegetable Salad

 

Peach and Basil ShrubPeach and Basil Bourbon Shrub

 

Other Beet Cocktails

Other Shrub Cocktails

Red cocktails in glasses with crushed ice. Wooden spoon, cherry bitters and whiskey bottle behind glasses.
Yield: 1

The Red Beet Rye - A Whiskey Cocktail

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Time for Shrub to Sit: 5 days
Total Time: 5 days 20 minutes

A vinegar based cocktail, with some sweet and sour aspects.

Ingredients

Red Beet Shrub

  • 5 beets, cut into small chunks
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • pinch of cayenne pepper

Red Beet Rye Cocktail

  • 1 1/2 ounces Rye Whiskey
  • 3 ounces Red Beet Shrub
  • 2 dashes cherry bitters

Instructions

For the Shrub

Add beets and 1/4 cup of the vinegar to blender. Blend until pureed.

Press puree through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.

Add beet juice and vinegar mixture, extra vinegar, sugar, peppercorns, salt and cayenne to a non-reactive container, we used a canning jar.

Cover and allow to steep for at least a day.

We let ours sit for about 5 days before using. It seemed to get the right peppery, sweet, smokey bite. Shake at least 1 time a day.

When ready to drink, or use in a cocktail, place a fine mesh strainer over a small bowl and pour through to remove solids.

Bottle and store in the fridge.

For the Cocktail

Combine all ingredients in a rocks glass with ice.

Cheers!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 702mgCarbohydrates: 83.9gFiber: 3.6gSugar: 79gProtein: 2.8g

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Emily

Wednesday 6th of October 2021

How many drinks will this recipe produce? I'm want to make a batch for 5 people! Thanks!

The Noms

Wednesday 6th of October 2021

Hey there! The shrub makes around 1 1/2 cups, so it would make about 4 cocktails. Hope that helps, cheers!

cakespy

Friday 3rd of July 2015

LOVE it! I think shrubs are making a comeback, and this is a particularly delicious version. So pretty, too.

The 'Noms.

Friday 3rd of July 2015

We really dig shrubs. Especially love the way you can make fresh fruit into something amazingly sweet and sour.

WhitBit's Indian Kitchen

Tuesday 30th of June 2015

This seems a little too refreshing to be a cocktail! I think I'd go a little overboard!

The 'Noms.

Tuesday 30th of June 2015

LOL! A shrub is perfect for drinking by itself as well without the alcohol, if that would change your mind! It is refreshing either way!

Byron Thomas

Friday 26th of June 2015

I love anything with beets! I'll pin this to my beet recipes. :)

The 'Noms.

Friday 26th of June 2015

Thanks! Hope you try it!

Shann Eva

Friday 26th of June 2015

Wow. It looks really pretty. I actually think my husband would really like it. Pinning it to try. Thanks!

The 'Noms.

Friday 26th of June 2015

Thank you! Cheers!

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