The first shrubs were created by the ancient Egyptians, who would mix fruit, sugar, and vinegar to create a drink that would help them stay hydrated in the hot climate. Shrubs spread throughout Europe and the Middle East in the 1300s and 1400s and eventually made their way to America in the 1700s. They were popular among colonists because they were an easy method to preserve fruit and simultaneously make a tasty drink.
Although it was originally used as a way to preserve fruit due to a lack of modern refrigeration, shrubs are now making a comeback in the form of delicious cocktails or healthy and refreshing alternatives to sodas.