Explosive Shrub Punch

Ingredients

Prepare the fruit.
- Macerating Method
  1. Macerate the fruit with sugar (or the sweetener of your choice).
  2. Let it sit to help the natural sugars thicken.
- Simmering Method
  1. Put your fruit, juice and other ingredients into a saucepan, combined with half as much sugar.
  2. Simmer until thickened, and then pour through a fine strainer, pressing the solids to squeeze out all the syrup.
Measure—by cup or by eye—how much syrup you have. Add that same amount vinegar.
Mix equal parts shrub and seltzer or bubbly water in a big beautiful bowl. Add lemon slices and other garnishes. Serve.

For a fun way to keep your punch cold, try filling small muffin tin compartments with a fruit that complements your shrub. Pour a mixture of half shrub/half water to cover. Freeze, then put these drinkable decorations in the punch bowl.

Donna Moxley is the former managing editor at tasteforlife.com.