As we close out 2024 and head into the uncharted territory of 2025, the melody and sentiment of Scottish song, Auld Lang Syne, plays on a loop in our heads. It reminds us to learn from the past, gather the valuable lessons, and face the new year with the fortitude of friendship and treasured bonds. This version by the Birmingham Choir captures these sentiments beautifully. One of my favorite lines is, "We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne." And may we all, indeed.
If you haven't discovered already, one of the kindest drinks you can put in that cup of kindness is a Tapatree Shrub! It is crafted with our Whole Maple™ syrup, New York fruits, gourmet vinegar blends for acidity, and some with extra spices (Solstice and Saffron Ximénez) for a certain je ne sais quoi. Why are these concentrated drinking syrups so amazing? They are intentionally non-alcoholic, non-psychoactive, and 100% authentic to make sure you have something beautiful and delicious in your glass. One thing we have learned to treasure is control over what we consume, and Tapatree Shrubs allow you to control the intensity of flavor and the mixers you add in, all while knowing that the secret sauce is high-quality Whole Maple™ syrup and the freshest fruits. Still curious about the shrub story? Here is a quick tutorial from CasualMixologist.com:
How Are Shrubs Used?
One of the most beloved characteristics about shrubs is their versatility. Unlike many cocktail elements, shrubs contain no alcohol, which makes them an ideal ingredient for mocktails when you aren’t feeling something boozy. The mixture of fruit, sugar, and vinegar gives shrubs a sweetness with a hint of tartness, which makes them an excellent addition for adding depth and complexity to drinks like spritzes, punches, and even water. They are a great way to jazz up tonics and sparkling water, and they also make sophisticated craft sodas.
Mocktails
To use shrubs in a mocktail, try mixing them with club soda, lemonade, or even fruit juices. Just be aware that shrubs are already acidic, so you will want to taste test it as you go to balance the right amount of sweetness and acidity.
Cocktails
To use shrubs in a cocktail, we’ve found that a simple combination is shrub + base spirit + spirit modifier + bitters. You will want to use roughly an ounce of the shrub, but you can play with the ratios based on what makes the most sense for the drink.
If you’re feeling fancy, shrubs play well with accents like fresh herbs and citrus rinds. Shrubs are also a favorite of herbalists and proponents of natural remedies, who tout the benefits of shrubs for promoting gut health. There is no shortage of uses for cocktail shrubs, which makes them a valuable addition to any casual mixologist’s repertoire.
And if we may, Tapatree Shrubs take the entire experience up a notch with the magic of our Whole Maple™ syrup--no refined white cane sugar in our drinks! Whole Maple™ magic plays well with fruits to amp up the delicious complexities!
Reflecting on 2024, we have been so excited to add Tapatree shrubs, as well as Paul's amazing asparagus and scapes, and the spectacular honey crafted by our resident bees (thanks, Ron!). Yet everything goes back to the trees one way or another, and we share our cup of kindness with the forests which sustain us and share their magical syrup--the thread that wends through our tapestry here at Tapatree.
And there’s a hand, my trusty friend! And give us a hand of yours! And we’ll take a deep draught of good-will, for auld lang syne...
Happy New Year, dear friends! May you lift a glass to the past, extend a hand to dear friends and accomplishments, and adventure forward to the lessons and opportunities for kindness in 2025!
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