Back in 2010 I tasted rhubarb lemonade for the first time. I ordered it at a cafe I used often go to for brunch with friends. Sadly, with three children, I don’t get out for brunch much at all now. But, since I enjoy entertaining, I have adapted to hosting brunch rather than going out for it.
This evening during a bit of Facebook chat with a fellow blogger about flavoured syrups, I remembered that I once made rhubarb syrup, the basis of rhubarb lemonade, myself. It was a bit of an ordeal, but it did taste great once it was made.
At the time I made the syrup, early Summer in 2011, I was approaching the end of my parental leave, much as I am now. Being at home, I had plenty of opportunity to take the time to follow lengthy recipes and try out new dishes from magazines.
I had a subscription to the German interiors magazine Living At Home [the actual name, not translated – I always think it sounds like a magazine for adults who are too broke to move out of their parents’ home, but it is actually a really good interiors magazine].
But anyway, to get back to the story, I found the recipes in Living At Home to be reliable, seasonal and very tasty. So when I saw their recipe for rhubarb syrup, I decided to give it a go. I did, I liked it and I kept the issue of the magazine.
I made a couple of small changes to the original recipe. Here is the one I used.
Ingredients:
2kg fresh rhubarb
4 oranges
80g fresh ginger
400ml water
At least 250g sugar
1 – 2 screw top glass bottles (500ml-1L in volume)
Wash and strip the rhubarb, then chop it into pieces as you would for a tart.
Strip the rind off two of the oranges then squeeze the juice from all four oranges.
Peel and dice the ginger finely.
Place the rhubarb, orange rind, orange juice, sugar and water into a saucepan and simmer until the rhubarb is cooked through and falling apart. The sugar should be dissolved entirely.
Strain the rhubarb mixture into a bowl using a fine sieve. You may need to do this twice or strain it through a fine muslin to remove all the rhubarb fibres.
Wash the saucepan and return the liquid to it. Bring to the boil and reduce to approx 750ml.
When I made this, I found it too sour for my liking. That could just be my taste buds or it could be the rhubarb I used. Either way, the easiest way to sweeten it up is to add a little more sugar, let it dissolve into the syrup and then taste again. Remember though that the syrup will taste sweeter cool than hot. The syrupy consistency will also be more obvious when the liquid has cooled, so don’t worry if the syrup appears to be a bit watery.
Fill into the clean glass bottles immediately and screw the tops on. Leave to cool completely before using in cocktails or mixed with sparkling water, tonic water or lemonade for a refreshingly different drink.
Brilliant, thank you. This will be top of our summer making list.
You are welcome Naomi. I am off now to check out your lavender syrup recipe.
Oh I love Rhubarb in anything and seem to remember trying lemonade in a farm shop once, I think I am going to give this a try, it would be so refreshing on a hot summer’s day (if we ever get another ha!). I love your interpretation of the German magazine title, I would think the same xx #HomeEtc
Oh do try it Lisa, and let me know you get on.
Oh it sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing. #HomeEtc
Thanks. It is a funny sensation, drinking rhubarb, but it is tasty.
Oh my goodness, that looks delicious! I’m thinking it might be a nice addition to a fruity ice cream sundae… definitely worth investigating 🙂
Great idea! That could work really well.
I make a similar rhubarb cordial every year with ours — it’s SO good!!! Love it in Prosecco (now there’s a thing 😉 ) or soda water. It’s LOVELY!! Although I daresay I have a sweet tooth, as ours is *definitely* not at all sour!!! 😉 Thanks for linking up, Caro xx #HomeEtc
Oh yes, I remeber your post on that now. It would be gorgeous in prosecco!
oooh I need to get some Rhubarb to make this I bet its amazing in Prosecco xxx
Apparently it is. I have made some lavender syrup now too and want to try that in prosecco too.
That does sound good. I moved my rhubarb from the garden to the allotment this year so no rhubarb for me this year, but I’m hanging onto this one for next year x #homeetc
Aou have your own rhubarb? Wonderful. Give it a go next year Stephanie.
Oh yay, I was wondering what to do with my excess rhubarb! Will have to try this. I have frozen a batch for when ma-in-law arrives.
Give it a go Vanessa. As I said, the amount of sugar will depend on how sweet or sour your rhubarb is, as well as on personal taste. But it is worth trying at least once.
Yum!! Love rhubarb and this looks amazing 🙂 Clever you. Thanks for sharing as ever. Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thanks Jess. Thanks for hosting 🙂 x