Reading Time: 3 minutesWelcome to our Whole Life Challenge-compliant cocktail series from professional bartender Jenna Gruttadauria. Jenna practiced mixology at some of the most well-known bars and clubs in New York City before joining the Whole Life Challenge team. Now, she enjoys using her knowledge to make healthier versions of classic cocktails.
Shrubs were an extremely popular way of flavoring soda water and alcohol as far back as the 17th century. This is in part due to the lack of refrigeration available to people at the time. These vinegar- and sugar-based syrups were created using fruits and could be preserved for long periods.
Shrubs have regained popularity in the American bar scene in the last five years or so, and rightfully so — they are tangy, fruity, and absolutely delicious. This cranberry shrub recipe livens up a simple gin spritzer, but you could use vodka if you prefer.
Low-Calorie Cranberry Shrub Gin Spritzer
Shrubs have regained popularity in the American bar scene in the last five years or so, and rightfully so — they are tangy, fruity, and absolutely delicious. This cranberry shrub recipe livens up a simple gin spritzer, but you could use vodka if you prefer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup powdered stevia
- 10 allspice berries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- Ice
- 1 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- Soda water
- Prosecco
Instructions
Cranberry Shrub Directions:
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Combine 1 cup of water, stevia, allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries. Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat and simmer until the cranberries are soft (5-8 minutes), stirring occasionally.
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Remove from heat and pour mixture through a mesh strainer. You’ll want to press down on the cranberries to extract as much juice as possible, without pushing any of the solids through.
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Add apple cider vinegar.
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Refrigerate until ready to use. This mixture can be saved for several months
Gin Spritzer Directions:
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Measure 1/2 an ounce of your cranberry shrub.
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Over ice, combine 1 ounce gin, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and 1/2 ounce cranberry shrub.
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Fill your glass with soda water until you reach about an inch from the top of glass.
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From there, layer (or “float”) the prosecco on top.
Note: We are not saying that alcohol is “healthy” to consume. (More on that here.) We are acknowledging that there are times we inevitably make the choice to imbibe (and we include ourselves in that “we”), and that there are better and worse ways to go about drinking alcohol when it comes to our health. Our goal is to empower you with lower-sugar, lower-calorie, still-fabulous recipes for these times.
With an unshakeable entrepreneurial spirit and unrivaled work ethic, Jenna spent years working in the restaurant industry, developing her love of food and wine. Inspired by the king of all concrete jungles, New York, Jenna started her own successful fashion business, which moved her to the sunnier skies of Los Angeles, California.
A once self-proclaimed foodie who could never give up bread or cheese, she’s now welcomes the healthy, clean living lifestyle that California and the WLC make so easy. And she loves to take the recipes of her former life and transform them into healthier versions.
