drink Archives | GFF Magazine

Product Review: Shrubbly Small Batch Sparkling Shrub

Erika — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:07:00 +0000

If you’re wondering what a “shrub” is when it’s not part of a bush, here’s the answer: it’s a non-alcoholic fruit-, aromatics-, and vinegar-based syrup. Mix it with bubbly water or booze and you’ve got a tasty drink. And that’s exactly what Shrubbly makes: tasty canned, non-alcoholic shrub-based drinks made with their own custom shrub recipes and sparkling water.

Lightly-sparkling and refreshing, their prebiotic drink is made in small batches from organic ingredients in rural Vermont. It’s available in two flavors (Lemon Ginger & Aronia Berry or Aronia Berry & Pomegranate), and include organic aronia berry, which is a nutrient powerhouse that’s high in antioxidants and immune-boosting properties. Plus there’s organic apple cider vinegar, which provides additional prebiotics and digestive-health benefits.

But, what about the taste? These bubblies are tart and fruity, which may surprise you if you are expecting a plain old flavored seltzer. Once you settle into the lip-puckering tang, the experience is invigorating and thirst-quenching.

When to reach for Shrubbly? Consider it a nice alternative to a cocktail right out of the can, or pour it over ice with some vodka, or other mixers and garnishes to create unique and flavorful cocktails or non-alcoholic cocktails.

WHERE TO BUY: Amazon.com or Shrubbly.com

INGREDIENTS: (for Lemon Ginger flavor) Carbonated Water, Organic Aronia Berry Juice, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Lemon Juice, and Organic Ginger Juice

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE: No

CONTAINS STATEMENT: None

OTHER HELPFUL INFO: Certified organic, Non-GMO, vegan/vegetarian (organic honey sweetens the Aronia Berry + Pomegranate flavor), 0-6 g natural sugar, caffeine-free

Reviewed July 2021

NOTE: We only recommend products that we truly LOVE, use, and are confident to recommend. Thanks to affiliate partnership opportunities, we sometimes earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a product link on our site at no cost to you. But this has no influence on what we recommend. When we do score a few shekels, know that your purchase helps support our work to bring you trustworthy, unbiased information on an amazing gluten-free food and lifestyle.

Gluten-Free Mexican Hot Chocolate with Bourbon Whipped Cream

Erika — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 15:17:36 +0000

Mexican chocolate disks (available at well-stocked grocers everywhere) are made from ground roasted cocoa nibs, sugar, and cinnamon (and sometimes spices like nutmeg or allspice, chiles for heat, and nuts for texture) and have a slightly granular texture and distinctive, subtly spiced flavor. Combined with any type of milk, they create a rich, thoroughly comforting Mexican hot chocolate recipe, which is amazing with or without bourbon-kissed whipped cream.

Gluten-Free Mexican Hot Chocolate with Bourbon Whipped Cream Recipe

Servings

Author Eric Lundy

Ingredients

1 (3.3-ounce disk) Mexican chocolate (such as Ibarra brand), plus more for garnish
2-1/2 cups milk soy milk, or almond milk
Kosher salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar sifted
1 tablespoon bourbon

Instructions

Use a serrated knife to coarsely chop the chocolate; set aside.
In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk until it begins to bubble around the edges of the pan. Remove from the heat and stir in a pinch of salt.
Add the chocolate and stir to dissolve. Return the saucepan to low heat and whisk vigorously to froth.
In a large bowl, combine the cream and powdered sugar and whisk to soft peaks. Add the bourbon and whisk to combine.
Remove hot chocolate from the heat, divide between 2 mugs, and top with the bourbon whipped cream.
Using a fine grater, grate a small bit of chocolate from another Mexican chocolate disk over the whipped cream, then serve.

Photography Erin Ng

Tamarind Margarita Recipe

Erika — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 03:11:28 +0000

Tamarind Margarita

Tamarind is a sour tropical fruit frequently used in Southeast Asian cooking. When made into a paste (available in Asian markets), it’s an outstanding addition to margaritas. We came upon this cocktail that proved the point at the Marriott Cancun Resort and developed a crush on it. Try it and see if you feel the same.

Servings cocktails

Ingredients

1 tablespoon tamarind pulp available at Asian markets
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup silver tequila
1 cup crushed ice
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup Cointreau or triple sec
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons equal parts sugar mixed with chili powder for rimming the glass

Instructions

In a saucepan over low heat, simmer the tamarind, 3 tablespoons water, and the sugar stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the mixture into a shaker. Add 1/2 cup of the tequila and shake vigorously. Add about 1 cup ice and 1/2 cup of the lime juice, the Cointreau, the orange juice, and the remaining 1/2 cup of tequila; shake well.
Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice into a small, rimmed plate. Place the chili-sugar mixture onto another small plate. Dip the rims of 4 martini glasses first in the plate of lime juice and then chili mixture. Carefully strain the margaritas into the glasses and serve.