Schusters Shrub Black Currant Syrup. Apple cider vinegar-based fruit syrup made from black currants – deep red, for aperitifs, lemonade, and salads.

Schusters Shrub Black Currant Syrup is a vinegar-based fruit syrup made from sugar, apple cider vinegar, and black currants by Schusters Spezialitäten from Untersteinbach in the Steigerwald region. One part shrub to ten parts sparkling wine makes an aperitif; with mineral water, it becomes a lemonade. Alcohol-free, 250 ml in a glass bottle. Not a crème de cassis, not a sweet currant syrup, no added flavorings – three ingredients that you mix yourself.

Black Currant Shrub from Schusters Shrub is the variety the manufacturer recommends first for an aperitif. A shrub is a vinegar-based fruit syrup made from fruit, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. The black currants are soaked as whole fruit in apple cider vinegar for several weeks. They are then pressed, and the fruit vinegar is sweetened with sugar and hot-bottled. The vinegar adds acidity and highlights the fruit; the color and aroma come solely from the berries. According to the manufacturer, the word "shrub" derives from the Arabic "sharba" for syrup and was a common vinegar-fruit beverage in the USA in the 19th century. Hanna Schuster, a food technologist by training, brought the concept from there to the Steigerwald, where they have been producing shrubs since 2012. According to the manufacturer, the black currant variety is one of their best-sellers.

Taste

Black Currant Shrub has an intensely berry-like taste, with the tart depth that only black currants possess. The color is deep red, and the apple cider vinegar provides a clear acidity underneath.

According to the manufacturer, it is not just the color that impresses, but above all the powerful fruit flavor. This is particularly evident in a champagne glass: even when diluted 1:10, the black currant remains clearly detectable rather than getting lost in the fizz. Diluted with water, it becomes a lemonade that tastes of berries and is less sweet than store-bought versions. Anyone expecting a soft, round berry syrup will find this variety tart – a currant remains a currant, even with sugar.

Usage

For an aperitif, add one part shrub to ten parts well-chilled sparkling wine or Prosecco; for one glass, this is about 1 cl to 10 cl. Pour the syrup in first, then top up and stir briefly.

For an alcohol-free version, use mineral water: a dash of shrub, a squeeze of lemon juice, ice, and 200 ml of sparkling water – and your black currant lemonade is ready. For salad dressing, follow the manufacturer's short recipe: a dash of shrub, a squeeze of lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. The manufacturer’s favorite combination is peach and feta salad with this shrub; the dark berry also pairs well with tomato and mozzarella or feta.

Store the bottle in a cool, dark place – the red color comes purely from the fruit and stays vibrant longer in the dark. According to the manufacturer, the shrub has a shelf life of three years and does not need to be refrigerated after opening.

Our tip: Place the shrub, sparkling wine, and sparkling water side by side on the table for guests. This way, everyone can mix their own aperitif with either wine or water – equally beautiful and red, equally fruity.

Origin

Schusters Spezialitäten is a small family-run craft business in Untersteinbach, in the municipality of Rauhenebrach in the Haßberge district, in the Steigerwald region of Franconia. Johannes and Hanna Schuster run it with transparent production, a farm shop, and tasting tours; Hanna Schuster and her family handle the bottling themselves.

According to the manufacturer, the family processes the black currants by hand every year, sourcing them as regionally as possible. As a soft berry, the currant is placed whole into the apple cider vinegar; the vinegar penetrates naturally, absorbing the color and aroma. You can find more about the family and their varieties on our Schusters Shrub page.

For whom

Black Currant Shrub is the bottle for anyone who prefers fruit over liqueur in their sparkling wine glass for an aperitif and likes the tartness of berries in their salad. It is perfect for a summer garden party, an evening on the balcony, or as a gift when invited to dinner.

For those who prefer something milder and more classic, try the Raspberry Shrub Syrup; for a syrup specifically for sparkling wine, the Summer Spritz Hibiscus-Raspberry Syrup. This shrub is not suitable for those expecting a sweet, mild berry lemonade.

Black currants, apple cider vinegar, and sugar from the Steigerwald – the deep red fruit syrup that you can use to mix your own aperitif, lemonade, and dressing.