Shrubbish: A Sober Drinks & Thinks Podcast

Sarah McAfee
  • 5.0 (15)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

There's plenty of content out there about alcohol. Everybody loves cocktails and mixology, right? But what about those of us who have stopped drinking -- whatever the reason? Shrubbish: A Sober Drinks & Thinks Podcast aims to explore the world beyond booze. From lightly fermented drinks around the world to health claims and beverage apparatuses, Sarah investigates a variety of beverage-related topics, along with discussing her own personal relationship with addiction and recovery. Plus, every episode includes a taste & review of everyone's favorite little sprit-free elixir: The Shrub. Bespoke new flavor each week!

  1. 3D AGO

    The Dry Ice

    Send a text Sarah and The Shrub investigate Dry Ice - from a little bit of science, history, and common uses for the super cold sublimating product! Including how to safely use dry ice in your favorite mocktail. Also, another nod to community. And the nuances & uniqueness of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, and how you do not have to have a higher power to get sober. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_ice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_carbon_dioxide https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrien-Jean-Pierre_Thilorier#Early_years https://www.grabbitandrun.com/10-cool-facts-about-dry-ice/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry-ice_blasting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE4Tk9BGFKY  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GYdIB1Z51g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJH-OYYxA3I&t=63s  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhInWBtVXxM https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOEb6H4gX5r/  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKZ4GpveNgY  ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    29 min

  2. JAN 30

    The Tonic

    Send us a text Sarah and The Shrub visit South America, India, Sri Lanka, Europe....not really (you know no one is really traveling on this show, right?) but the history of Tonic Water takes you all over the map! From the Peruvian tree that started it all, to some wacky historical cures for malaria, this episode investigates everything Tonic Water -- including actual mocktail recommendations! Also, what happened at PodFest, and Sober Community.  ** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_water https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Inglaterra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinchona https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/just-the-tonic-history https://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/curious-questions-invented-gin-tonic-206058 https://europeancoffeetrip.com/espressoandtonic-story/  https://www.webmd.com/drugs/quinine-qualaquin https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3121651/ https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/rcs/projects-exhibitions/products-empire-cinchona-short-history https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoePAOjyv5Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcJkzHfSgpA  ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    31 min

  3. JAN 16

    The Honey - Pt. 2!

    Send us a text Sarah and The Shrub (a particularly good one!) expand on honey by putting their paws in pots of fermented honey, honeydew, and propolis -- figuratively, of course. Also, how do sober communities respond to or offer invitations for celebration and community without the classic one liner "can I buy you a drink?" *** https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s_mk7zGYDA8 https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1109/honey-and-honey-syrup/fermented-honey https://www.bonappetit.com/story/hunt-for-fermented-honey?srsltid=AfmBOop1HV9SHQVBqJD0OsOb5fdAsF0vt7Ir_zwyk9pDQKfz9FVn0R4K https://www.npr.org/2025/12/12/nx-s1-5637405/honey-flavor-reaches-new-depths-with-spotted-lanternfly-droppings  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43621-024-00375-3 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3872021/#sec3  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgkN0YaNXF4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M28XjoeiGXA    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propolis  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/propolis  ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    34 min

  4. JAN 2

    The Honey

    Send us a text Sarah and The Shrub start in on a honey-centric two-parter with a little background on bees, honey production, and health benefits, in anticipation of more honey loving to come! Also, a look at that "fresh restart" that comes with the new year, seasonal depression, and the cycle of going on a bender. *** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey - Base Article https://www.honey.com/about-honey/how-honey-is-made - 2nd Base Article https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754825000195#sec5 - Health Claims/Uses https://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/does-honey-help-prevent-allergies - Allergies Defunct https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamse - The Bear https://www.npr.org/2025/12/12/nx-s1-5637405/honey-flavor-reaches-new-depths-with-spotted-lanternfly-droppings - Spotted Lanternyfly  https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/honey-cave-painting - Cave Paintings *** ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    40 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    The Tepache

    Send us a text Sarah and The Shrub(s) go south of the border for this week's ancient fermented beverages, with notes of pineapple, corn, brown sugar, and funk. Also, on that big first step of admitting you have a problem, and asking for help. * * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepache https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejuino https://imbibemagazine.com/tepache-traditional-to-mexico-cautiously-finds-its-way-northward/ https://www.foodrepublic.com/1853633/tejuino-vs-tepache-mexican-drinks-explained/ https://punchdrink.com/articles/tepache-ready-to-drink-cans-mexico/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuVho-yppBc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpM-e1eGiCU * * ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    33 min

  6. 12/05/2025

    The Kvass

    Send us a text Sarah and The Shrub get sour and funky with the discovery of yet ANOTHER ancient fermented beverage, and talk flights - in more ways than one. * * https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/13457-cranberry-shrub-syrup https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2024/03/29/expo-west-banana-water-s-clean-label-features-one-ingredient/ https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-make-banana-water-for-plants-5218164  https://www.thespruce.com/compost-tea-8661967  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvass https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/08/14/204859046/america-are-you-tough-enough-to-drink-real-russian-kvas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OsLi9mHeQs https://www.gefilteria.com/  * * ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    38 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    The Suck: Straws

    Send us a text Sarah and The Shrub journey to the land of straws, and reflect on the joy of simply...being.  * * * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_straw# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombilla https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Cress https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/business/plastic-straws-ban-fact-check-nyt.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/world/europe/metal-straws-death.html https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/straws-history https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/the-amazing-history-and-the-strange-invention-of-the-bendy-straw/248923/ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dunkin-partners-with-wincup-to-test-biodegradable-straw-140027690.html * * * ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    37 min

  8. 10/31/2025

    The Nut Milk

    Send us a text Happy Halloween! This episode has nothing to do with Halloween, but everything to do with plant-based milks. Also, Sarah and The Shrub reflect on how moving towards healthier habits can actually feel a little bitter sweet. ig: @shrubbish_pod email: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.com While I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

    33 min
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

There's plenty of content out there about alcohol. Everybody loves cocktails and mixology, right? But what about those of us who have stopped drinking -- whatever the reason? Shrubbish: A Sober Drinks & Thinks Podcast aims to explore the world beyond booze. From lightly fermented drinks around the world to health claims and beverage apparatuses, Sarah investigates a variety of beverage-related topics, along with discussing her own personal relationship with addiction and recovery. Plus, every episode includes a taste & review of everyone's favorite little sprit-free elixir: The Shrub. Bespoke new flavor each week!

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