Rhubarb Cordial

Make a delicious Rhubarb Cordial. Infuse fresh rhubarb, sugar, and vodka in a glass jar.

Read more: Rhubarb Cordial

What to Do With All That Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a wonderful perennial vegetable. What could be better than food that grows every year without needing to be replanted or tended to? It’s one of those plants that keeps on giving.

My mom always grew rhubarb and made stewed rhubarb as a regular dessert. I follow her tradition making stewed rhubarb, but I tend to eat it by myself, because not everyone enjoys this tart treat. My family does love my Strawberry Rhubarb Jam and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie! Another treat that I enjoy making with the leftover rhubarb is a Cordial.

What is a Cordial?

Cordial is an old fashioned name for a type of liqueur made with alcohol and fruits or nuts. (It may also be used to describe a sweetened fruit flavoured syrup used to mix drinks). My Rhubarb Cordial is made by layering fresh rhubarb with sugar and then covering with Vodka. The mixture is stored in a cool dark place (where no one can find it and sample it before it’s ready) for 2 months (until I remember it again). The rhubarb and sugar infuse the Vodka with flavour – and then presto – a lovely sweet pink liquid is strained from the rhubarb.

Now I confess – I put the last batch in my basement laundry room to store – and one of my boys came upon the jar – thinking it was a jar of thumbs. “MOM – what is that?” Apparently chopped pieces of rhubarb in a jar are scary looking or perhaps he’s watching too many horror movies.

How to Serve

The Rhubarb Cordial can be served in small liqueur glasses, poured over ice cream – or – my favourite mixed with fizzy water and ice for a Rhubarb Spritzer Cocktail. I toss in a slices of fruit or berries to make the drink look fancy! Sometimes I bottle the Cordial to give away as little gifts!

How to Make Rhubarb Cordial

You will need one clean 3 quart glass jar with a lid. I use a large mason jar with a clamp on top. I have to hide these jars from my husband or they turn into Sourdough Starter jars!

Rhubarb Cordial Ingredients:

• 500g fresh rhubarb stalks, washed and chopped
• 300g granulated sugar
• 1 litre vodka

The exact quantities of ingredients are not important – just ensure that you have fresh clean rhubarb and that there is enough vodka to fully submerge the ingredients.

Rhubarb Cordial Method:

Prepare the rhubarb: Wash the rhubarb stalks thoroughly and chop them into small pieces.

Layer the ingredients in the jar: In the glass jar, layer the chopped rhubarb and granulated sugar. Alternate layers until all the rhubarb and sugar are used up.

Add the vodka: Pour the quart of vodka over the rhubarb and sugar in the jar. Make sure the ingredients are completely submerged in the vodka. This is the most important part – as any fruit which is not submerged in the vodka will become moldy!

Seal the jar: Close the jar tightly with its lid to ensure an airtight seal.

Infuse: Place the sealed jar in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard, and let it sit for 2 months to allow the flavors to infuse. You can gently shake the jar every few days to help distribute the ingredients.

Strain: After 2 months or longer, strain the mixture through a fine colander or cheesecloth into a clean bowl or jug to remove the rhubarb solids. You should be left with a smooth rhubarb-infused vodka.

Bottle and store: Transfer the strained rhubarb cordial into sterilized bottles or jars. Seal the bottles tightly and store them in a cool, dark place.

Serve: Rhubarb cordial can be enjoyed on its own, over ice, mixed with soda water for a refreshing spritzer, or used as a flavorful ingredient in cocktails and mocktails. It is also yummy served over ice cream.

Below is a printable recipe card from RecipesGenerator. Please give it a try!

Cheers! I hope that you are having a lovely June!

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