Like any dish, good cocktails are a balance of flavors. A cocktail shrub adds both sweet and sour elements to your drink. Typically, a cocktail shrub is made with a combination of water, fruit, sugar, and vinegar. The resulting concoction is delicious and acidic, with hints of fruity or botanical flavors. If you decide to make your own shrub, the key is to find the right vinegar. Distilled vinegar is not complex enough to provide you with a quality shrub base, and white vinegar will overpower your other ingredients. You can always make your own vinegar, or choose something like balsamic, rice, or red wine vinegar.