Move Over Tonic - There's a new kid in town!

IF YOU LOVE GIN YOU’RE NOT ALONE, and while many of us love a G&T, it’s great to have an alternative.

From the old world to the new, The Curious Cabinet’s range of award winning Shrub Syrups and Sparkling Shrub Elixirs are set to change the way you drink gin!

So - what is a Shrub Syrup? While the name conjures up the idea of a small woody tree, the product is anything but that! Based on an old colonial American style of drink, they’re a tart, sweet, combination of fruit, sugar and apple cider vinegar.

Pia Cook, Founder of The Curious Cabinet, originally started experimenting with Shrubs Syrups as a non-alcoholic option when she was pregnant. “The deliciously refreshing combination of fruit, sugar and apple cider vinegar gave me the kick that made me feel like I was drinking a cocktail even though there wasn’t any alcohol”.

Little did she know, at the time, how perfectly her Shrub Syrups paired with a range of spirits – especially gin! Once she tried the Rhubarb Shrub Syrup with gin and soda, she knew she was on to something. “I started suggesting it to my customers as an alternative to a gin and tonic, and before I knew it, a romance of the ages developed… Gin & Shrub!”.

“They’re tart and sweet at the same time, so they mirror some of the flavour profiles that tonic provides, however with the added deliciousness of fruit.”

An intriguing alternative for those who want to try something different.

Steeped in history, Shrubs have seen a rebirth internationally over the last decade, being featured on cocktail menus around the world.

Closer to home, The Curious Cabinet has worked on collaborations with two of Victoria’s most highly regarded gin distilleries, Bellarine Distillery and Anther Distillery.

Bellarine Distillery recently featured The Curious Cabinet’s Mandarin Shrub Syrup in their canned, sparkling gin cocktail, The Tarty Ted, a combination so popular it sold-out within a matter of weeks. Owner of the Distillery, Lorelle Warren, commented that “The pairing of Bellarine Distillery’s Teddy & the Fox Gin with The Curious Cabinet’s Mandarin Shrub is a match made in heaven”.

Lorelle also mentions that it “provides a great alternative for drinkers who are tonic averse. The mandarin shrub highlights the citrus profile of the gin and combined with the soda makes for an exceptional cocktail.” They stock the full range of The Curious Cabinet Shrub Syrups in their cellar door and often feature cocktails matching the Shrubs with each of their gins.

Also located in the Geelong region, Anther Distillery have recently featured The Curious Cabinet’s Strawberry Shrub Syrup in a pairing for The Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria with their Florescence Gin.

Derv McGowan, Founder of Anther, said that “The quality and flavour of the shrubs made by Pia are exquisite and compliment gin perfectly. The Strawberry Shrub has been matched with Florescence Gin which is a perfect complement to a spirit that captures the essence of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Victoria.”

Due to the popularity of The Curious Cabinet’s Shrub Syrups, The Curious Cabinet have also launched our ready-to-drink Sparkling Shrub Elixirs, which can be enjoyed on their own or used as mixers.

Ditch the G&T and start your G&S journey now!

Our Shrub Syrups & Elixirs can be purchased at a variety of stockists and through our online store.