Easy Rhubarb Simple Syrup for Cocktails + Mocktails

A few summers ago my neighbor gave me a bucket full of rhubarb. A full on bucket full! I had no idea what to do with all it. After making Rhubarb Coffee Cake, followed by a rhubarb crisp, then rhubarb muffins, I still had some leftover…. so I made some rhubarb simple syrup and used it in several cocktail concoctions.

Rhubarb Simple Syrup Ingredients

• Rhubarb – Rhubarb is a tart and crunchy edible plant. The woody stalk is similar in shape and texture to celery, and is the part you should eat. The leaves of the plant are poisonous and should not be consumed.
• Water – Water allows the sugar to dissolve. The resulting syrup liquid is easier to mix into a cold drink. If you just added sugar you would wind up with a gritty texture – yuck!
• Sugar – Sugar adds sweetness to the simple syrup. Other sweeteners can be substituted but may result in a slightly different flavor.

What are Simple Syrups?

Simple syrups are a mixture of sugar dissolved in water, used to give sweetness to a drink. Sugar does not dissolve well when you add it to alcohol (or other liquids for that matter).

So by heating up a combination of water and sugar, the sugar gets dissolved in the water. The result is a clean liquid that will sweeten your drink without any sugar residue settling to the bottom of your glass. I’ve been jazzing up plain simple syrups with whatever berry or fruit I have in excess.

Note: Most simple syrup recipes use equal parts water to sugar. I don’t like that combination, as I’m not a fan of overly sweet drinks. So most of my simple syrup recipes are 2 parts water to 1 part sugar, as to make a syrup that isn’t too sweet. If you like a sweeter drink, then use equal parts water to sugar.

How to Make Rhubarb Simple Syrup

Before starting, cut up the rhubarb into small pieces.

1. Combine the chopped rhubarb, water, and sugar in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. As soon as it comes to a boil, reduce and let simmer for 10 minutes, or until the rhubarb has softened.
2. Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the cocktail syrup to cool and then strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any fruit skins or seeds. You can store rhubarb simple syrup in the fridge for several weeks.

What Do You Do With Rhubarb Simple Syrup?

Your imagination is the only limit to what you can do with your liquid sweetener. You can add your rhubarb syrup to a number of drinks and desserts.

• Cocktails – Simply stir in to add a fruity twist
• Cold Drinks – Add to flavor your iced tea or lemonade
• Club Soda – Add a smash to your favorite club soda or flavored sparkling water
• Sparkling Wine – How about a Rhubarb mimosa? Add one part rhubarb syrup to 3 parts sparkling wine for a great twist on a classic
• Oatmeal or Yogurt – Sweeten your breakfast
• Sorbet – Mix it in to sweeten your base
• Ice cream – Drizzle over the top to make a sundae