Rhubarb Gin Cocktail

 
 
 
 

In so many parts of the country, spring time is all about the seasonal produce that’s arriving at the store: strawberries, fresh greens and other warm weather favorites. Right now in the Pacific Northwest, warm weather hasn’t quite arrived in its summertime abundance, so we’re continuing to get crafty with hearty greens and root vegetables. Rhubarb is one of those spring miracles — a sure sign that winter is out and summer is on its way. Dak’s sunburn in this video is the other sign. These cocktails are a perfect way to celebrate the short growing season of rhubarb, without being overcomplicated — besides, who doesn’t love a pink cocktail? — Ju

 

Ingredients

Simple Syrup:

  • 1 cup rhubarb, chopped

  • 1 1/2 cups water 

  • 1 cup sugar

  • Juice from 1 lemon

Cocktail

  • 2 oz lime juice

  • 4 oz rhubarb simple syrup

  • 4 oz gin

  • Soda water

  • Lemon peel twist or wheel

 

Instructions

For the rhubarb simple syrup:

  1. Combine the chopped rhubarb, water and sugar in a sauce pan and stir in lemon juice. Bring to a simmer over medium low heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture turns pink — about 15 minutes.

  2. Strain mixture into a heat proof container (a glass Pyrex container works perfectly) and let it completely cool.

For the rhubarb cocktail:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lime juice, 4 ounces of rhubarb simple syrup (cooled), and gin. Shake until outside of shaker gets cold, about 10-15 seconds.

  2. Strain shaker into a glass, top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel or twist, if using.

Makes 2 cocktails