What flavor combinations go with rhubarb?

Citrus is a perfect complement to rhubarb, which is why I've incorporated lime juice into this recipe. Strawberries are an obvious pairing, as they balance the tartness of the rhubarb with sweetness. Ginger is an ideal addition as it provides a slight spice to the simple syrup without over-sweetening the drink. Too often, people rely solely on sweetness to mask the rhubarb's tanginess, but using ginger instead creates a more nuanced and well-rounded flavor profile.

Does ginger ale go well with rhubarb and gin?

Yes, that's a great idea. You can use it in place of ginger beer. But look for a ginger ale that isn't too sweet. Many of them are loaded with sugar, and it's just not necessary.

Wait, what's rhubarb gin?

There are gins out that come already flavored with rhubarb. That's cool, I bet they're tasty, but who needs a whole bottle? That's why I like that this recipe can use whatever gin you already have on hand or already like to buy. There are also recipes out there to make your own rhubarb gin by steeping rhubarb with gin. But that takes time and more effort if you ask me.

Ginger Rhubarb Gin Cocktail

Description

Looking for a refreshing and unique cocktail to try this spring? Look no further than this ginger rhubarb gin cocktail recipe. This drink is the perfect combination of sweet, sour, and spicy, making it the ideal cocktail for a warm spring or summer day.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 pound fresh rhubarb, plus an additional couple of stalks for garnishing
2-inch piece of fresh ginger
1 cup sugar
ginger beer or ginger seltzer
gin
2-3 limes

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Instructions

Roughly chop the rhubarb into one-inch pieces. Add to a medium-sized pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat or until the rhubarb is completely softened and broken down. You can mash it up a bit to help the process. Strain out the rhubarb solids and save the liquid - this is your rhubarb juice. Pour the juice into a jar and cool before using.
While the rhubarb simmers, slice the ginger into several pieces. Add it to a small pot with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a simmer over low heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Let the syrup sit off the heat until cool, then strain out the ginger pieces and store the syrup in a jar in the fridge until you're ready to use.
When ready to make a cocktail, slice one of the limes into thin rounds and juice the other lime. If you want to make a cool garnish, and it's totally optional, cut a slit into one of the lime slices, place a small piece of mint in the center of it, then thread both through a cocktail pick.
To make the other optional garnish, use a peeler to make thin slices of a rhubarb stalk. Press a few of these into the inside of your cocktail glass, wrapping them around to make a curved diagonal pattern around the glass. Fill the glass 3/4 of the way with ice.
For one cocktail: Add some ice to a cocktail mixer or glass. Pour in 2 ounces of gin, 4 ounces of rhubarb juice, 1 ounce of ginger simple syrup, and 1/2 ounce of lime juice. Stir well. Strain into your glass of ice, top off with ginger beer or seltzer and serve with lime and mint.

Notes

This recipe makes enough rhubarb juice and ginger simple syrup for 8 drinks. If you're not making that many at once, the juice will keep in the fridge for about a week, while the ginger simple syrup will keep for a month in a jar in the fridge.
The garnishes are completely optional. Skip them if you don't want to make the effort and just add a lime wedge and a bit of mint to your glass instead.
Use ginger beer (alcoholic or non), seltzer, or your preferred carbonated beverage to top off the drink before serving.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Category: Drinks
Method: Mixing