Raspberry Vinegar Beverage

[Eleanor Rose]

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Ladies' magazines in the 19th century often included menus and recipes for a successful outdoor picnic. Godey's Lady's Book offered some elaborate and delicious recipes — not your everyday fare — for their readers in 1879. The recipe below caught my eye.

Raspberry Vinegar Beverage

Ingredients— Raspberries, Vinegar, Sugar.

Red raspberries, any quantity or sufficient to fill a stone jar nearly full, then pour upon them sufficient vinegar to cover them; cover the jar closely, and set it aside for eight or ten days; then strain through flannel or muslin, and add to the clear liquor one and a half pounds sugar to each pint, place over a fire and boil for a few minutes, allow it to cool, and then bottle for use. This makes, when mixed with water, a delightful summer drink.


Source: Godey's Lady's Book, 1879.

 

[Mrs. V]

Sounds a bit like "slub" that they serve on Mackinac Island at the Biddle House!

 

[Northern Light]

I used to make this for my kids when they were young. Very refreshing in summer. Hmmm... bet it is good with gin, too!

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Didn't this ferment and get Anne of Green Gables drunk with her friend?

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I'd like to try this recipe but how big is the stone jar mentioned? We've lost touch with that.

 

[Northern Light]

Didn't this ferment and get Anne of Green Gables drunk with her friend?

Raspberry Cordial which is more like a liqueur. No alcohol in the raspberry vinegar. I made it in quart mason jars. They seal better=no critters.

 

[donna]

The Shakers had a version of this. Thanks Eleanor for another recipe. You always add so much to the Food Forum.

 

[Cheswick]

I make this all the time for reenactments. Raspberry vinegar or raspberry shrub...it makes a lovely concentrate and is very refreshing. I use an 8-c glass measure instead of the stone crock and use a bag of frozen raspberries, which is normally easier to find

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Now I'm distracted by Anne of Green Gables. Read copies to tatters as a kid. Recently found the whole collection, loaded the Kindle ( audio too ) and was in bliss for a week.

I've tried modern drinks made using vinegar. It's a ' thing ' at the moment. Kids buy it by the case- one of my sons swears by it. Not a fan- you just can't get salad dressing out of your head when vinegar shows up.