Tomato Shrub

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients except the vinegar (or Worcestershire or hot sauce) in a heavy bottomed pot. Cover and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar, cover, and allow to sit in the fridge overnight. Strain the pulp and spices out and reserve the liquid. (If you fish out the spices, you can use the pulp as a kind of tomato jam, if you don't mind tomato peels and seeds). Adjust seasoning to your tastes: You can add Worcestershire to make it more savory or even stir in more sugar to take it in a sweeter direction for non-Bloody Mary type cocktails.

Step 2

The shrub will keep sealed in the refrigerator for a month or more, and will mellow over time. Shake an ounce or two of shrub with vodka, aquavit, or tequila strain over ice and garnish with Bloody Mary garnishes for a tangy take on a Bloody Mary. Or top some of the syrup with a pilsner-style beer for a variation on a Michelada.