PEELING LIKE FALL. The Glass Orchard and Siren Shrubs come together to create a delicious Honeycrisp Shrub flavor. (Submitted Photos)

The Glass Orchard in Eau Claire has become a destination on many fall to-do lists for the last five years. Known for their glass-blowing demonstrations and 5-acre apple orchard, they use their apples in many products they sell, including their own wine (a personal favorite of this writer). This year, a new idea: a collaboration with a Wisconsin-based company to create a new juicy, sweet concoction using their Honeycrisp apples. 

Siren Shrub Co. is a women-owned, values-led beverage company focused on creating an inclusive drinking experience for everyone regardless of their beverage preferences. When the company was contacted by The Glass Orchard with the idea of adding an apple shrub to their Siren Shrub Co. flavor line-up using the orchard’s Honeycrisp apple, they decided they wanted to take on the challenge, despite never having considered adding an apple shrub to their menu. 

For those who don’t know, a shrub is a non-alcoholic syrup made from a combination of apple cider vinegar, a natural sugar, and fruit, root, or herb. A shrub has used a splash at a time to create delicious cocktails with or without alcohol. When Mindy McCord, co-founder of Siren Shrub Co., bit into one of The Glass Orchard’s Honeycrisp apples, she knew the shrub would be the perfect addition to their menu. 

“The flavor of the Honeycrisp Shrub, just like the cells of a Honeycrisp apple, bursts open the moment it hits your tastebuds,” McCord says. “The apple variety is juicier, crunchier, and sweeter than any apple I’ve ever tasted, and the flavor translated into a shrub seamlessly.” 

Siren Shrub Co. has added the Honeycrisp Shrub flavor into their canned, ready-to-drink Sparkling Shrub line and it’s being described as cidery, luscious, and appropriately cozy. It’s made from three simple, clean ingredients: The Glass Orchard’s Honeycrisp Apples, organic apple cider vinegar, and organic cane sugar.

You can purchase your own Honeycrisp Shrub at Volume One’s Local Store, The Glass Orchard, or online at sirenshrubs.com.