On Trend: Drinking Vinegars

WRITTEN BY DENA DAW AND MATTHEW LARDIE PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

A house-made Muscadine Sichnon Peppercorn drinking vinegar is topped with club soda and garnished with a dehydrated orange slice and a Bachelor Button.

Drinking Vinegars

WHEN IT COMES TO trending drinking vinegars, we’re not talking about those noseplugging shots of Bragg apple cider vinegar. Lucky for all of us, there’s a much more palatable option available that can help promote weight loss, a healthy gut, improve cholesterol levels, and more.

For those of you who have tried (or been tempted to try) #healthycoke, as seen on TikTok — a concoction involving balsamic vinegar and sparkling water — be aware that there’s something much better that’s available right down the road.

In Cary, The Umstead Hotel and Spa and its restaurant, Herons, offer one of the Triangle’s most luxurious drinking and dining experiences — and Bar and Lounge Manager Lori Grow is adamant about providing the same elevated touch when it comes to the nonalcoholic options. Drinking vinegars, also known as shrubs, have been available on a rotating menu for years.

“The drinking vinegars have been very popular,” said Grow. “We have carried them for over eight years. We started out getting ones made from Oregon, but now we have an amazing culinary team that provides us with some unique flavors.”

The flavors include carrot-ginger, apple, and butternut-lemongrass. When mixed with club soda, they create a refreshing, seasonal drink that can be paired with food or enjoyed on its own. For those looking for a healthy, nonalcoholic alternative to soda, these tangy tinctures are definitely worth a try!

theumstead.com