Ever since dining at the wonderful Pok Pok restaurant in Portland, I have had my eye set on trying to recreate their Som Drinking Vinegars.
The non-alcoholic cocktail of tart concentrated fruit syrup mixed with soda water in a 1:4 ratio is served at their Whiskey Soda Lounge, the perfect spot to sit and enjoy their famous fish sauce chicken wings.
Drinking vinegars, also called fruit shrubs, are popular these days, with apple cider vinegar making an appearance at breakfast mixed with water and honey.
The benefits of ACV (apple cider vinegar) have been touted since the 50s as a folk remedy, and it is claimed to effective in lowering blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol, and curing illness. While I am not a fan of fermented drinks like kombucha, the tart and fizzy taste of apple cider vinegar in this lightly sweet blackberry shrub wins me over- and I hope you enjoy it too.
For those looking for an exciting twist to their home cocktail making or wanting to make your own soda syrup, the tart flavor from the vinegar blends beautifully with honey and fruit to create a unique drink. I have been enjoying a tablespoon in a glass of soda water, and the beautiful color from the blackberry is striking.
Not only is this drink recipe healthier than your normal soda or mixer, it also uses honey instead of refined sugars. While this recipe is meant for the stovetop, there are also great recipes for drinking vinegars made in the fridge (I would try this one). You definitely need to dilute this syrup, so plan for soda water, lemonade, or cocktail making with this mixer!
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup to ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- Club soda to serve
- On medium-low heat, begin heating the blackberries and honey together. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to begin breaking down the blackberries.
- After about 10 minutes of allowing the mixture to cook, you should have about one cup of beautifully fragrant blackberry honey syrup. Allow this to sit until it is cool enough to handle.
- Using a strainer, cheesecloth, or even a dishtowel, carefully remove the blackberry solids by pressing the liquid through into another container. I ended up with ¾ of a cup of liquid once I removed the solids.
- Finally, pour this blackberry honey syrup into a jar and add ¼ cup to ½ cup apple cider vinegar. If you are a fan of kombucha and sour flavors, go closer to ½ cup, but if you are just looking for a zingy refreshing tang to your syrup, stick with closer to ¼ cup.
- To taste test, dip the end of a spoon into the syrup. As a reminder, this is concentrate, so it will taste strong no matter what! I loved both versions and just dilute into a drink depending on whether I want a stronger or weaker taste.
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons into a cup and top with club soda, ice, and blackberry garnish for a refreshing drink.
Let’s cheers!
Marisa
Tiffany @ Snack Snark Bark says
Oh my. I love ACV and drink it almost every morning when at work but it’s boring just with water, cinnamon and cayenne. But this? This, I must try since I love everything in it. Like you, I’m not a huge kombucha person but I’m always up for new things and new beverages are always fun to try out–especially homemade ones. Thanks for sharing!
And fish sauce chicken wings?? I need to go to Portland.
Marisa says
That is great that you get some ACV in you daily! Hopefully this will make your routine more interesting- almost like flavored sparkling water, if you will. Yes, Ike’s Vietnamese fish sauce wings. They posted the recipe online – you have to try those too!!
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
I’m so making this – have been fascinated with these drinking vinegars and your recipe looks like a delish way to ease into them. Pok Pok is totally on my restaurant bucket list 🙂
Marisa says
Thanks Deanna- the RecipeRedux prompt was a great reminder for me to try out the drinking vinegars! Pok Pok is an amazing place and should be on everyone’s bucket list (the Portland locations, not NY!).
Jaime @ Zest & Zeal says
How unique! I am new to drinking vinegars. I enjoy kombucha, but this looks like a tasty alternative.
Marisa says
Thanks Jaime! I have just tried them a couple times but I love how unique the flavor is.
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
I read about pok pok and it sounds amazing! This drink is so pretty and looks really refreshing. Will have to try!
Marisa says
Pok Pok is getting great recognition for their creative recipes- thanks for stopping by, Jessica!
Lauren says
It’s not too vinegar-y? I have yet to go to Pok Pok. I will have to try both the drink and the restaurant!
Marisa says
Hey Lauren- I recommend you head over to the Whiskey Soda Lounge (owned by Pok Pok) so that you can try the drinking vinegars and wings without waiting for the actual restaurant! If you try making this at home, just start with a little apple cider vinegar to give the blackberry syrup a zing and go from there. I think you’ll find that you enjoy the different twist to a sugar syrup, like I did!
Lauren says
Thanks for the tips!
Kara Lydon, RD says
Amazing recipe. I went to Pok Pok in Portland a couple years back and it was phenomenal. I love the concept of drinking vinegars so will be trying this out asap!
Marisa says
Thanks, Kara! I am glad you are on board with the concept and the fabulous restaurant!
Sarah Grace says
Wow I have never seen a vinegar syrup! This is so interesting and the use of honey is definitely something I love! I will definitely have to try this in the future!
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Marisa says
I love trying to substitute honey for white sugar when I can. The flavor is so much better! I hope you get to try this out.
Serena says
Oooo, you had me at PokPok…anything from there has to be good! Gotta get there!! I gotta say, while I want to try making kombucha – I just don’t have a whole day to devote to it. So I’ll try this tart sipper. Do I need to look for a special type of apple cider vinegar – or just whatever I can find?
Marisa says
Yes, you have to get there, Serena! I used my grocery store’s brand of ACV but some people prefer Bragg’s. Use whatever you please and just taste as you go! Enjoy!
Nina @ Whats for eats says
I have not heard of a drinking vinegar before, but I am a BIG fan of sour/zingy flavours, so this drink is right up my alley.
Marisa says
Glad to hear that, Nina! Your RecipeRedux granita looks amazing as well and I am excited to try that out on a warmer day.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiiness says
This looks delicious! And I love the color.
Marisa says
Thanks Jill! The syrup was darker but just a tablespoon or two in a glass of soda water is a fun pink.
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Clearly I’m behind on blog reading but oh my gosh this looks delicious and reminds me of summer. And I know I sound like a broken record but your photos are gorgeous!
Marisa says
Thanks Erin! I appreciate that! Let’s just skip the rest of winter and some of spring to get to patio sangria drinking and watermelon, deal?
Dana says
Yum, yum and more yum! I absolutely love drinking vinegars — will definitely be trying this, perhaps with the peach white balsamic vinegar I have in my cabinet!
Marisa says
Peach white balsamic vinegar?! You must try that out and report back! That sounds delicious!