With its vibrant pink color and subtle tart flavor, the Rhubarb Gin Cocktail is an ideal cocktail for spring and summer. It perfectly blends the botanical notes of gin with the tart sweetness of homemade rhubarb syrup. The result is a delicate yet flavorful cocktail that’s both feminine and sophisticated. This rhubarb gin sour is the perfect summer cocktail, it is a refreshing and visually stunning drink for any occasion.
As the days grow warmer and the first rhubarb starts to appear at farmers markets, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a sophisticated summer cocktail. I love making homemade rhubarb syrup each summer, and I created this cocktail when I was looking for creative ways to use it. The Rhubarb Gin Sour is a summertime twist on a classic gin drink. Its beautiful pink color makes it perfect for a girls’ night, a bridal shower, or a garden party. Its refreshing tart flavor and elegant presentation make it an excellent choice for any spring or summer gathering.
Enjoy this refreshing and sophisticated cocktail at your next gathering or as a special treat on a warm day. If this rhubarb gin cocktail isn’t quite what you are looking for consider trying our summer Gin Bramble or if you prefer a dryer classic cocktail, try our Empress Gin Martini.
Why You’ll Love This Rhubarb Gin Cocktail
- Summer Gin Cocktail: Perfect for when rhubarb is in season, offering a fresh and vibrant flavor.
- Elegant Presentation: The exquisite color of this pink cocktail and its frothy top make it visually stunning and feminine. It is definitely a showstopper.
- Balanced Flavor: The tartness of the rhubarb syrup and lemon juice balances beautifully with the botanicals of the gin.
Ingredients (and substitutes)
- Gin – with its distinctive botanical notes, serves as the perfect base for this cocktail. We prefer to use Tanqueray, which has strong juniper notes that add depth and character. If you don’t like gin, you could substitute vodka.
- Rhubarb Simple Syrup – homemade rhubarb syrup made from fresh rhubarb is the best, as it will have the strongest rhubarb flavor. When you make it yourself you can also control the sweetness of the simple syrup.
- lemon juice – freshly squeezed lemon juice is the best. The cocktail is also good with lime juice as a substitute.
- Egg Whites – add a silky texture and a frothy, foamy top to a sour cocktail, creating a smooth mouthfeel and an elegant presentation. If you are nervous about using raw eggs, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of aquafaba.
- Pink Himalayan Salt – just a small pinch to sprinkle over the foam of the cocktail. Balances the sweeter flavors of the cocktails.
- Garnishes – to make the cocktail’s presentation stand out you can garnish it with thin ribbons of rhubarb, citrus peel, or edible flower petals.
- Ice – essential for chilling and shaking the cocktail.
What is the best type of gin to use in a rhubarb cocktail?
When making the Rhubarb Gin Sour, we love using Tanqueray for its classic botanical profile, which pairs beautifully with the tartness of rhubarb. Bombay Sapphire and Beefeater are excellent alternatives if you want to try other gins. Both offer a balanced blend of botanicals that complement this cocktail’s fresh, vibrant flavors.
If you want to embrace this cocktail’s pink color, you could try making it with a pink gin like Gordon’s Pink Gin or Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin. Both these varieties of Gin will have more floral and fruit notes which can be a lovely pairing with this signature cocktail
How to make a Rhubarb Gin Sour
- Dry Shake: Add gin, rhubarb syrup, lemon juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake vigorously for 5 seconds to create a frothy texture with the egg whites.
- Shake Again: Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well-chilled, about 15 seconds.
- Serve: Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Sprinkle pink Himalayan salt lightly over the foam and garnish with rhubarb ribbon or citrus twist.
Questions about how to make a rhubarb gin cocktail
How to make homemade rhubarb syrup?
To make homemade rhubarb simple syrup, boil 1 cup chopped fresh rhubarb in 1 cup of water for 15 minutes. Strain out the solids, pressing the rhubarb down to get as much of the juice as possible. Return the liquid to the pot and add half a cup of sugar, stir to dissolve the sugar fully. Let the syrup cool before using.
This syrup is incredibly versatile and can be used to make a Rhubarb Gin Fizz or Rhubarb G&T. It can even be added to sparkling water for a non-alcoholic drink.
Can I substitute the egg white with another ingredient?
Yes, you can use aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) as a vegan alternative to egg white. It provides a similar frothy texture. This is also a great option if you don’t feel comfortable with raw eggs.
What type of gin works best for this cocktail?
A London Dry gin or a gin with floral and citrus notes work best in this rhubarb gin cocktail. Avoid overly strong botanical gins or any gins that feature tea flavors as they might overpower the rhubarb flavor.
Can this cocktail be made in advance for a party?
You can pre-make the rhubarb syrup and mix the gin, syrup, and lemon juice ahead of time. Add the egg white and shake with ice right before serving to maintain the frothy texture.
Rhubarb Gin Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- coupe glass chilled
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1.5 oz rhubarb syrup
- .75 oz lemon juice freshly squeeze
- 1 egg white
- pink Himalayan salt
- ice
Instructions
- Dry Shake: add gin, rhubarb syrup, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 5 seconds to aerate the egg whites.
- Shake Again: Add a handful of ice and shake again for 15-20 seconds.
- Serve: Strain mixture into a coupe glass. Sprinkle top lightly with pink Himalayan salt.
Such a pretty color