The Rhubarb Spring Fling Rum Cocktail is a fruity rum cocktail made with homemade rhubarb simple syrup.
spring rhubarb cocktail
My fresh rhubarb cocktail is made with rum, a homemade rhubarb simple syrup, and a hint of rosemary. I got inspired by a daiquiri recipe that appeared in Bon Appetit several years ago that paired the two. The earthy herb cuts the sweetness of the rhubarb and it is really unusual and delicious.
what you’ll need for a Spring Fling
- white rum
- rhubarb simple syrup
- fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, pink or white
- sprig rosemary, plus 1 for garnish
- lime wedge for garnish
RHUBARB SIMPLE SYRUP
- fresh rhubarb, chopped
- sugar
Rhubarb simple syrup is a snap to make. I chopped 2 stalks of rhubarb (about 2 cups) and added it to 1 1/2 cups water and 1 cup sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer to remove all the rhubarb pulp, and return to the pan to reduce it a little further. Boil gently for about 8 minutes, until the syrup has reduced and has thickened a bit. I ended up with about 1 1/4 cups of syrup. The color is beautiful.
Let the syrup cool and then refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep at least a week, refrigerated. You can use it on pancakes, ice cream, granola, oatmeal, or just mix it with sparkling water to make your own rhubarb soda!
more rhubarb, please!
- Rhubarb Bread
- Old Fashioned Rhubarb Crunch
- Rhubarb Crumble Tart
- Easy Rhubarb Breakfast Cake
- Homemade Rhubarb Ice Cream
The Rhubarb Spring Fling
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- 2 oz rhubarb simple syrup
- 2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, pink or white
- 1 small sprig rosemary, plus 1 for garnish
- lime wedge for garnish
rhubarb simple syrup
- 2 stalks fresh rhubarb, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Remove the leaves from a sprig of rosemary and muddle, or lightly crush them at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Don’t press too hard, rosemary is a very pungent herb, and you don’t want it to overpower the drink. Add the rum, simple syrup and grapefruit juice. Add ice to fill the shaker and shake well, then strain over fresh ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and a fresh sprig of rosemary.
- To make the simple syrup, put the rhubarb, water and sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Boil gently for about 10 minutes.
- Strain out the rhubarb, and put the syrup back on the stove to reduce a bit further. Boil gently for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the syrup is reduced to about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups.
- Let cool and then put in a container with a lid and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
I just made the simple syrup. So good. Thank you for the inspiration!
Oooh, you’re fast! Isn’t the flavor unusual?
This drink looks fantastic! I love the flavours you have combined here!
I think I would love this cocktail! I can’t wait to try my hand at rhubarb simple syrup.
The birds are chirping outside my window right now! This sounds like the perfect accompaniment. You know, if it wasn’t 10 am. But later… ;P
Hey, it’s 5 O’Clock somewhere…
Rhubarb Simple Syrup – There are so many things I want to do with that! like use it in a cake or cupcakes or as a base for a buttercream frosting infused with it..but you have the right idea. A wonderfully refreshing drink!
I really want to try making a simple soda, my husband and I spend a lot of money buying natural flavored seltzer water all summer and I think this would taste even better.
Yet another perfect reason to go grab some rhubarb while you can! This cocktail sounds like the ideal drink for a sunny late spring afternoon.
I was happy with the bright color of the syrup, and I find that rhubarb is like pomegranate, the flavor is so unusual it makes for a nice change from strawberry, raspberry, etc.
I get your posts by email and often at the same time of the day I get a post from a photographer who has taken up cooking and does a food blog. Your pictures are MUCH better! Amazing and bravo to you! This drink is so pretty and I love the combination of flavors, so unique!
Awww, that makes me feel so good! Your photos are always an inspiration to me.
Ok, Sue. I’ve been waiting all day for you to give me a new cocktail for the weekend, and as always, you don’t disappoint! Lovely!!!
There are several different directions you can go when making a drink with rhubarb syrup, some recipes use gin, or prosecco, but I always seem to come back to rum…
How pretty..love the steam too..like the birthday candle..I had forgotten to mention that:-)
I was on a steam kick this week 🙂
Yes, I’m in the mood for one of these too! looks refreshingly delicious 🙂
Mary x
Thanks, Mary, I bet you have even better rhubarb over there than we do in the states!