Strawberry Shrub Collins

In the July/August 2012 issue, we featured Phoebe Esmon’s Cognac- and strawberry shrub–dosed Cockaigne cocktail. If you mixed up a batch of the summery shrub and you’re looking for more cocktails to try it in, look no further than this recipe, also from Esmon, who is the president of the Philadelphia chapter of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild. Choose your own adventure by experimenting with other spirits in place of gin.

1 1/2 gin (or another spirit)
3/4 oz. simple syrup (1:1)
3/4 oz. strawberry shrub
Club soda
Tools: barspoon
Glass: Collins
Garnish: fresh strawberry and/or basil or mint

Combine gin, simple syrup and strawberry shrub in an ice-filled Collins glass, stirring until chilled. Top with club soda, then garnish.

Strawberry shrub: Hull and slice 1 pint of strawberries. Place them in a pot with 1 quart of apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, then remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Strain out the fruit, then add 1 cup of simple syrup to the remaining liquid.

Phoebe Esmon, Spirit Animal Beverage Solutions, Philadelphia