Rhubarb Shrub Gin Lime Basil Cocktail
After preparing a shrub with rhubarb, sugar and apple cider vinegar, this concoction gets incorporated into one of the most interesting and divine drinks I have ever had.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
The Shrub
- 2 pounds rhubarb
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
The Cocktail
- 2 ounces Gin I used Tangueray
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1.5 ounces rhubarb shrub
- 1 splash Aha strawberry cucumber carbonarted water Other flavors and brands will work too if mild in flavor.
- 4 leaves basil
The Mocktail
- 3/4 cup sparkling mineral water I used Topo Chico.
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1.5 ounces rhubarb shrub adjust to taste
- 1 splash Aha strawberry cucumber carbonated water
- 4 leaves basil chopped
Instructions
Make the Shrub
- Prepare the rhubarb by washing, trimming ends, and chopping into small 1/2 inch pieces.
- Combine rhubarb and 1 cup of granulated sugar in a bowl.
- Refrigerate covered for 5-10 days, stirring twice daily.
- After 5-10 days, press liquid from the rhubarb and collect into a jar or measuring cup.
- Add approximately 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar to each cup of rhubarb syrup.
- Discard the fruit portion unless using for other purposes.
- Store the shrub in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 6 weeks.
Rhubarb Gin Lime Basil Cocktail
- In a shaker, combine 2 ounces gin, 1.5 ounces shrub, juice of 1 lime, 4 basil leaves.
- Fill shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
- Pour over ice in a glass.
- Top off with a splash of flavored carbonated water, like Aha strawberry cucumber.
- Enjoy!
Rhubarb Lime Basil Mocktail
- Fill a short glass 2/3 of the way with unflavored carbonated water and ice.
- Add 1.5 ounces rhubarb shrub, juice of 1 lime, and 1 leaf chopped basil.
- Top off with a splash of flavored carbonated water, like Aha strawberry cucumber.
- Stir ingredients together.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Do not put carbonated water in a shaker, as it will tend to want to explode in the shaking process.
- Different brands and flavors of carbonated water can be used to top off the cocktails and mocktails, or this ingredient can be left out altogether. I really loved the strawberry cucumber flavor in this cocktail.
- In the cocktail version, the basil bits will end up in the cocktail after the shaker step, so there is no need to muddle or chop it before placing into the shaker, though you can if you want to extract more flavor.
- Adjust the amount of shrub in the cocktail and mocktail to your taste. Some like them more or less tangy.
- The shrub in this recipe will be enough for 10-12 servings.
- The rhubarb can be replaced with nearly any fruit to make a shrub. Using fruit that is in season will yield the best flavors.