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Strawberries macerated in sugar and aged balsamic, cut with soda. The drink that converts shrub skeptics — savory-sweet, almost wine-like, surprisingly cocktail-shaped.

Italian peasant tradition dating to the 1600s — strawberries and aceto balsamico were both household staples in Emilia-Romagna, and combining them was a way to stretch the season. The drink form is modern (the original was eaten as a fruit dish), but the flavor pairing is centuries old.

Ingredients

• Strawberry-Balsamic Shrub Syrup1 ounce
• Fresh Lemon Juice½ ounce
• Soda Water1 ounce
• Strawberry Slice1 each

Directions

Combine the strawberry-balsamic shrub syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake briefly to chill. Strain into a coupe. Top with a splash of soda water. Garnish with a thin slice of strawberry on the rim.

Notes

Use a real aged balsamic (Modena IGP at minimum, traditional DOP if you can afford it) — supermarket balsamic is too thin. The strawberries should be fully ripe; underripe gives you a sour drink.