Rhubarb Collins

Cheers to the first fruit of spring!

This cocktail is a great way to celebrate the springtime gift of gorgeous ruby-red rhubarb. You can make batches of rhubarb syrup and freeze them to enjoy all year long, or simply put cut rhubarb in the freezer and whip up a batch of syrup whenever needed. The syrup has a nice touch of sweetness so you can adjust the lemon juice in the cocktail to make the drink as tart or sweet as you prefer. This recipe also makes a delicious non-alcoholic mocktail – a great alternative to lemonade!

Ingredients

For the rhubarb syrup:

• 4 cups (1 L) chopped rhubarb
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) white sugar
• 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise
• 2 inch (5 cm) piece of ginger, sliced
• 3/4 cup (180 mL) water

For the cocktail:

• 3 ounces (60 mL) rhubarb syrup
• 1/2 ounce (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 ounces (30 mL) vodka
• 4 ice cubes
• soda or sparkling water
• thin stalks of rhubarb, cut into lengths one inch (2.5 cm) taller than glassware

Method

• Place chopped rhubarb in a non-reactive saucepan and add sugar, vanilla beans and ginger. Stir to combine, then cover and let sit for 8 – 12 hours so fruit can macerate. This draws the liquid out of the rhubarb and makes for a richer tasting syrup.
• After the fruit has macerated, add the water and place over medium heat. Bring the fruit mixture to a boil and then reduce heat slightly to a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, until rhubarb is very soft.
• Strain the mixture into a clean glass jar with a tight lid and refrigerate until cool. Rather than discarding the leftover fruit, remove the vanilla beans and add the cooked rhubarb and ginger to your favourite smoothie recipe!
• Rhubarb syrup will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
• To prepare a cocktail, put the rhubarb syrup, lemon juice, vodka and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker (or clean glass jar with a tight fitting lid). Shake for one minute then strain mixture into a cocktail glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a piece of rhubarb.

Makes 1 cocktail; you can easily bake bigger batches.