Tszuj equals being fabulous
When you read about a Canadian company making cocktail mixers and bitters, and their name is loosely translated into ‘make fabulous,’ you know there is something good here.
The Tszuj Beverage Co. is based out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The company makes many different products to enhance cocktails or mocktails. Some of the products include shrubs, mixers, syrups and bitters. Seriously, shrubs. Not the leafy green ones.
What is a shrub when it isn’t planted? It’s a drinking vinegar made from fruit, vinegar and sugar. There are so many fruit flavours to choose from and all are refreshing. Add one part shrub to four parts sparkling water and pour over ice for a non-alcoholic drink. Mix one part shrub with one part alcohol and top with chilled tonic water over ice for a unique cocktail.
Mixers for drinks make the home bartender look like a pro. Take the Tszuj Caesar Cocktail Mixer, add clamato or tomato juice, and either vodka or gin, for the perfect drink. The guesswork is gone. The result is delicious. And you can always skip the booze if you just like the flavour of a Caesar or a Bloody Mary.
Syrups are another version of mixers. The difference is that a syrup is sweet. The recipe is the same as for a shrub, one part syrup to four parts sparkling water, over ice, or one to one with added tonic or sparkling water over ice for a cocktail. Go sweet with vanilla or add a bit of pucker with Sour Mix.
And then there are bitters. As someone far more experienced with cocktails told me, bitters are to drinks what herbs are to cooking or spices are to baking. In other words, bitters add flavour.
Add a few drops of cherry to a cocktail or to a salad dressing or even to your ice cream topping. The flavour pops. Chai bitters add warm flavours to coffee, cocktails or mix with vanilla syrup for a topping on your yogurt. Citrus bitters are found in many cocktail recipes and can really boost the taste of a drink.
It’s summertime and the living is supposed to be easy. Mixing up a cool drink to enjoy in the heat of the day, or in the cooler evening, is a great way to relax. Make it a mocktail if you like, keeping it cool, tasty and refreshing. Or ramp it up with an ounce or two of your favourite tipple. Learning and experimenting with shrubs, syrups, mixers and bitters is all part of the fun. Get yourself a little cocktail shaker, stock the freezer with ice, make sure there is plenty of sparkling water in the fridge and be prepared to enjoy yourself and entertain family and friends.
DID YOU KNOW?
Shrubs originated in Old England where vinegar was used to preserve fruits. The infused vinegars had sugar or honey added for sweetener before drinking.