Podcast
Shrubbish: A Sober Drinks & Thinks Podcast
Hosted by Sarah McAfee · EN
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!
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Novelty Sodas
3w ago00:31:06Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailGo back in time with Sarah and The Shrub as they get into some strange flavored pops, novelty drinks, and retired sodas. This lighthearted episode is full of gratitude for living sober, the sober journey, and all the fun we can have when we go for it.***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tab_(drink)https://www.bonappetit.com/story/save-tab-soda-interview?srsltid=AfmBOopduhSk3I6jdpOIvJeK0EG0kZDKBhWZbyhSe-YY9GobT3fXWAeyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbitz_(drink)#Historyhttps://www.mashed.com/1361798/discontinued-orbitz-soda-scientific-marvel/http://www.lanceandeskimo.com/chefelf/bev_orbitz.shtmlhttps://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1913612,00.htmlhttps://www.mashed.com/60683/soft-drinks-totally-forgot-existed/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine_(drink)#https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/nyregion/03cocaine.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envigahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine_(drink) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cocaine-pulled-from-shelves-nationwide/ ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Snapple
Apr 1000:28:09Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Sarah and The Shrub explore some fun history and facts surrounding everyone's favorite juicy, fruity, flavored-tea beverage with a pop: Snapple! Also, Drinking Dreams, and a scrumptious dessert (or breakfast!) themed shrub based on a classic.This is not an official sponsorship of Snapple. No endorsements were made for the production of this episode.***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapplehttps://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/dining/the-snapple-deal-how-sweet-it-is.html?sec=healthhttps://www.snopes.com/fact-check/snapple-rumor/https://www.snapplecaps.com/real-facts/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machinehttps://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/business/leonard-marsh-80-dies-a-founder-of-snapple.html?_r=1&https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Kaufman***ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Flavors
Mar 2700:34:50Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah and The Shrub get into natural & artificial flavorings, flavorists, flavor houses, a little bit of science, a little bit of cultural fun facts - it's a classic Shrubbish episode! Also, the challenges of dealing with moderating addictions when abstinence is not possible. ***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Croix_Sparkling_Waterhttps://nutrisci.wisc.edu/2021/07/26/natural-and-artificial-flavors/https://www.bonappetit.com/story/truth-about-natural-artificial-flavors https://freakonomics.com/podcast/natural-and-artificial-flavors/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1-9wlAYZOM https://blogs.ubc.ca/communicatingchemistry2017w110/2017/09/18/what-exactly-are-natural-flavours/ ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Hop Water
Mar 1300:27:35Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah and The Shrub discuss the 100% zero proof, 100% refreshing beverage: Hop Water. From the plant-parts behind it all (hops) to it's "f around and find out" origins in the home brewing community, and it's place in the wellness sector today, hop into spring with this one! Also, Sarah reflects on her connection between suburban stress / isolation and drinking. ***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop_water#cite_note-Men's_Journal_28_June_2023-2https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/7129-what-is-hop-waterhttps://www.fooddive.com/news/hop-water-nonalcoholic-beer-segment-wellness-trend/806828/https://www.mensjournal.com/drink/is-hop-water-your-drink-of-the-future https://www.bevnet.com/news/2015/hopwater-launches-in-ohio-secures-distribution-through-cavalier-distributing/ https://www.h2ops.com/pages/our-story-mission?srsltid=AfmBOooPKHt1y7wv9xqA40l9T5N4M34RbzakAFTdhWNkG_0vUSCWVC6M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBQFaHS5teY https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/1lvddkz/first_time_making_hop_water_and_it_turned_out/***ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Dry Ice
Feb 1300:29:26Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah 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_icehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_carbon_dioxidehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrien-Jean-Pierre_Thilorier#Early_yearshttps://www.grabbitandrun.com/10-cool-facts-about-dry-ice/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry-ice_blastinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE4Tk9BGFKY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GYdIB1Z51ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJH-OYYxA3I&t=63s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhInWBtVXxMhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DOEb6H4gX5r/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKZ4GpveNgY ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Tonic
Jan 3000:31:00Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah 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_waterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Inglaterrahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinchonahttps://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/just-the-tonic-historyhttps://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/curious-questions-invented-gin-tonic-206058https://europeancoffeetrip.com/espressoandtonic-story/ https://www.webmd.com/drugs/quinine-qualaquinhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3121651/https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/rcs/projects-exhibitions/products-empire-cinchona-short-historyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoePAOjyv5Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcJkzHfSgpA ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Honey - Pt. 2!
Jan 1600:34:24Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah 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_mk7zGYDA8https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1109/honey-and-honey-syrup/fermented-honeyhttps://www.bonappetit.com/story/hunt-for-fermented-honey?srsltid=AfmBOop1HV9SHQVBqJD0OsOb5fdAsF0vt7Ir_zwyk9pDQKfz9FVn0R4Khttps://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/s43621-024-00375-3https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3872021/#sec3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgkN0YaNXF4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M28XjoeiGXA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propolis https://health.clevelandclinic.org/propolis ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Honey
Jan 200:39:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah 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 Articlehttps://www.honey.com/about-honey/how-honey-is-made - 2nd Base Articlehttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754825000195#sec5 - Health Claims/Useshttps://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/does-honey-help-prevent-allergies - Allergies Defuncthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamse - The Bearhttps://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_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Tepache
Dec 1900:32:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah 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/Tepachehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejuinohttps://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-yppBchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpM-e1eGiCU**ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →The Kvass
Dec 500:37:48Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSarah 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-syruphttps://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/Kvasshttps://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/08/14/204859046/america-are-you-tough-enough-to-drink-real-russian-kvashttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OsLi9mHeQshttps://www.gefilteria.com/ **ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile 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).
Transcribe →