Be Inspired Blog - Arizona
🌟 Holiday Citrus Shrub Recipe Made with Arizona-Grown Citrus
Looking for a festive drink that’s refreshing, seasonal, and truly unique? Holiday shrubs — tangy, fruit-forward syrups made from fresh fruit, sugar, and vinegar — are making a big comeback at parties and gatherings. And here in the Valley of the Sun, winter is the perfect time to make them thanks to our incredible selection of Arizona-grown citrus.
Whether you’re hosting, gifting, or simply celebrating the season at home, this easy homemade shrub adds bright holiday flavor to cocktails, mocktails, and sparkling refreshments your guests will love.
Why Shrubs Make the Perfect Holiday Drink
Shrubs are delightfully versatile: pour them into sparkling water for a festive mocktail, mix into cocktails for a burst of bright citrus flavor, or bottle them up as thoughtful homemade gifts. Their balance of sweet, tart, and aromatic notes makes them especially refreshing during holiday gatherings when many drinks can feel too heavy or sugary.
Plus, shrubs are make-ahead friendly, keeping well in the refrigerator for weeks — a holiday hosts’ best friend!
🍊 What Citrus Is in Season in Arizona During Winter?
Winter is peak citrus season in the Valley of the Sun. From November through March, home gardeners and local markets overflow with juicy, fragrant fruit. For this recipe, look for:
- Arizona Sweet oranges
- Navel oranges
- Mandarins & tangerines
- Meyer lemons (variation option)
Using locally grown citrus gives your shrub unbeatable flavor — and makes your holiday drinks feel truly rooted in the desert Southwest.
🍊 Arizona-Grown Holiday Citrus Shrub (Recipe)
Ingredients (Makes ~1½ cups shrub base)
- 1 large Arizona Sweet or Navel orange, peeled and chopped
- 2 small mandarins or tangerines, peeled and chopped
- ½–⅔ cup granulated sugar (use less for low-sugar version)
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1–2 thin slices fresh ginger
- 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)
- Optional: a strip of orange zest or a small sprig of rosemary for added aroma
Instructions
1️⃣ Macerate the fruit
Combine the chopped orange and mandarins with the sugar in a glass or ceramic bowl. Lightly mash until the juices begin to release. Cover and refrigerate for 12–24 hours, stirring occasionally.
2️⃣ Add vinegar & warm spices
After the fruit has macerated, stir in the vinegar along with ginger and cinnamon. Add zest or herbs if desired.
3️⃣ Steep
Cover and refrigerate for 24–48 hours to allow flavors to meld.
4️⃣ Strain & store
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing lightly on the fruit to extract liquid. Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate for up to 1–2 months.
This is your shrub concentrate. It’s bright, citrusy, tangy, and perfect for mixing!
🍹 How to Make a Lower-Sugar Shrub
Prefer a lighter option? Easy!
- Reduce sugar in the base by 30–50% (½ cup is plenty).
- Let the fruit macerate longer to help extract more natural sweetness.
- When serving, sweeten per glass using honey, agave, or a low-sugar simple syrup — or skip added sweetener entirely.
- Pair with sparkling water for a crisp, refreshing holiday mocktail.
This creates a tart, citrus-forward shrub that still feels festive but isn’t overly sweet.
🥂 Serving Ideas — Cocktails, Mocktails & More
✨ Sparkling Arizona Citrus Shrub Mocktail
- 1½ oz citrus shrub
- 4–6 oz sparkling water
- Ice
- Garnish with orange peel or rosemary sprig
✨ Holiday Citrus Shrub Spritz (Alcoholic)
- 1½ oz citrus shrub
- 1½ oz vodka, gin, or bourbon
- 3 oz sparkling wine or club soda
✨ Rosemary–Orange Cooler
- 1½ oz shrub
- 6 oz tonic water
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
These are easy to batch for parties and look beautiful in clear holiday glassware.
🍊 Citrus Shrub Variations Using Other Arizona Citrus
Once you fall in love with this recipe, try these variations throughout winter:
- Blood Orange Shrub — deep ruby color and rich berry-like flavor
- Grapefruit Shrub — bright, crisp, and wonderfully aromatic
- Meyer Lemon–Ginger Shrub — zesty with warm holiday spice
- Tangerine–Pomegranate Shrub — stunning color and tart complexity
Each version highlights the amazing citrus grown right here in the Valley.
🌱 Tips for Using Fresh Arizona Citrus from Your Garden
- Harvest citrus when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.
- Room-temperature citrus yields more juice.
- Roll fruit gently before cutting to release oils and juice.
- Store citrus in a cool, dry place; many varieties keep for weeks.
Want to grow your own? Winter is an excellent time to explore new citrus trees.
🛍️ Where to Find Fresh Citrus in the Greater Metro Phoenix Area
You can find delicious Arizona-grown citrus at:
- Local farmers markets (seasonal availability varies)
- Many neighborhood grocers
- Backyard citrus trees throughout the Valley
If you’d like to grow your own citrus for fresh, seasonal harvests, visit your local SummerWinds Nursery — our team can help you choose varieties that thrive in the desert climate.
🎁 Make It a Gift — DIY Holiday Shrub Bottles
Homemade shrubs make thoughtful, elegant gifts:
- Bottle in small glass jars
- Add citrus slices or rosemary to the bottle for holiday color
- Tie on a ribbon with a handwritten label: “Arizona-Grown Holiday Citrus Shrub — Add to Sparkling Water or Cocktails!”
It’s a charming, homemade touch perfect for hosts, neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
🌵 Try More Holiday Recipes, Tips & Garden Inspiration
Looking for more seasonal ideas? Explore our guides on:
- Winter edibles & herbs
- Citrus care in the Valley of the Sun
- Holiday greenery
- Festive plants and gift ideas
There’s always something thriving at SummerWinds — and we’re here to help you make the most of every season.
