How to Make Your Own Cocktail Syrups and Shrubs

One of the most effective ways to make your cocktails stand out is by going beyond store-bought mixers and crafting your own. Homemade syrups and shrubs not only offer better flavor and freshness but also give you creative control over every detail in your glass. With a few ingredients and basic kitchen tools, you can start experimenting with bold flavor combinations that reflect your personal taste.

Whether you're hosting a party or simply want to level up your home bar game, learning how to make syrups and shrubs opens the door to custom cocktails that wow. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make — and they last!

Why Make Your Own Syrups and Shrubs?

Store-bought mixers often contain preservatives, artificial flavors, and too much sugar. When you make your own syrups and shrubs, you're choosing fresh ingredients and real flavor. You can adjust sweetness, play with herbs, fruits, spices, or teas, and tailor everything to your drink style.

Homemade mixers also make your drinks more impressive. A rosemary-honey syrup or raspberry-balsamic shrub shows intention and creativity — two key qualities of any great cocktail.

Simple Syrups: The Building Block of Better Drinks

A simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. From this base, you can create endless variations:

Herbal syrups (mint, basil, rosemary)

Spiced syrups (cinnamon, clove, star anise)

Fruit syrups (strawberry, pineapple, blackberry)

Floral syrups (lavender, rose, elderflower)

Tea syrups (earl grey, chamomile, hibiscus)

How to make flavored syrup:

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan.

Add your flavoring ingredient (e.g., 1 cup chopped fruit or a few sprigs of herbs).

Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar dissolves.

Simmer for 5–10 minutes, then let cool.

Strain and store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks.

Try adding a dash of citrus zest or a few crushed peppercorns for complexity!

What is a Shrub, and Why Should You Use It?

A shrub is a tangy-sweet syrup made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar. It may sound unusual, but the acidity of vinegar balances sweetness and adds incredible depth to cocktails. Shrubs have roots in colonial America as a preservation method and are now making a comeback in modern mixology.

Basic shrub method:

Combine 1 cup chopped fruit and 1 cup sugar in a jar.

Let macerate in the fridge for 24–48 hours, stirring occasionally.

Strain out the fruit solids.

Add 1 cup vinegar (apple cider, red wine, or balsamic work well).

Stir, bottle, and refrigerate. Shrubs improve with time and last for months.

A strawberry-balsamic shrub makes a brilliant base for a spritz or vodka cocktail. Peach-ginger with apple cider vinegar pairs beautifully with bourbon.

Pro Tips for Better Results

Use ripe, in-season fruits for best flavor.

Don’t boil herbs — it can make them bitter. Steep them instead after removing from heat.

Experiment with vinegars: champagne vinegar for brightness, balsamic for richness.

Label and date your bottles so you can track freshness.

Start with small batches and scale up once you find a combo you love.

Ready to Try It? Get Inspired

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to create! Whether you want to make a lavender syrup for a floral gin cocktail or a tangy cherry shrub for whiskey, the possibilities are endless. Need guidance on pairing your homemade syrups with spirits?

Explore our collection of cocktail recipes with custom syrups and shrubs to find ideas, ratios, and seasonal inspiration.

Mix Smarter, Not Harder

Making your own cocktail syrups and shrubs is one of the easiest ways to impress your guests and elevate your drinks. It’s cost-effective, rewarding, and endlessly customizable. Plus, once you start crafting your own mixers, you’ll find your cocktails taste brighter, bolder, and more authentically “you.”

Your home bar just got a major upgrade — and it started with sugar, vinegar, and a little creativity.