Sweet on Sour

Vinegars all the rage and in a range of flavors

1 - Wei Kitchen Amber Vinegar

This Asian-inspired vinegar is named for its eye-catching hue achieved by a sweet blend of organic rice wine vinegar, brown sugar and anchovy extract, giving it a classic fish sauce flavor but on a much subtler level. Wei Kitchen Amber Vinegar can be used to flavor salad dressings and rice dishes or as a dipping sauce for spring rolls. Made in Seattle. $12 (8.5 ounces); www.weikitchen.com

2 - Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegar

From Andy Ricker’s Thai street-food-inspired culinary empire comes Pok Pok Som, a flavorful line of full-strength drinking vinegar concentrate meant for dressing up soda water or your favorite cocktail. Also known as a shrub, drinking vinegar is a traditional tonic used for health and hedonistic reasons, too. The drink is delicious and refreshing with a toothsome tartness and inviting aromatics. Choose from: Apple, Chinese Celery, Cranberry, Ginger, Honey, Thai Basil, Turmeric and more. $15 (16 ounces); www.pokpoksom.com

3 - Blossom Vinegars Apple Jalapeño

“Apple and spice and everything nice.” Could be a spin-off of the classic nursery rhyme, but for Connie Rawlings-Dristas, it sounds more like her Apple Jalapeño Vinegar. Based in Portland, Blossoms Vinegars offers an eclectic array of the culinary kind, such as Blueberry Basil, Wildflower Honey, Lemon Dill and others. Drinking vinegars — try the Thai Pepper Pear or Mango Habañero — complete the offerings. $12–$16 (8.45 ounces); www.blossomvinegars.com

4 - Red Ridge Farms Aperö Vinegars

Delicious enough to drink, Aperö Vinegars might never make it to your pantry once you have a taste. Resist the temptation, and you’ll be rewarded with their great versatility. Drizzle the fragrant, fruity Fig on carmelized onions. Combine the crisp, sweet Orange with a Red Ridge Farms Olive Oil for an irresistible dip with crusty bread and cheese. Add a splash of Passion Fruit to ice cream or just sip as an aperitif. The temptation is real. Taste for yourself. $27 (6.76 ounces); www.redridgefarms.com

5 - Cooper Mountain Vineyards Apicio Balsamic Vinegar

Following the 2000 crush, Cooper Mountain Vineyards in Beaverton created a reduction from the juice of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes by boiling it in stainless steel for almost three days. The resulting thick syrup then aged for 11 years using five different wood barrels: oak, chestnut, mulberry, cherry and Robinia. A “labor of love” for Dr. Robert Gross, Apicio Balsamic is a superbly made Oregon version of the famous vinegar from Modena, Italy. $40 (11-year); $20 (6-year); www.coopermountainwine.com