Rhubarbarism

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 45 ml Gin
- 30 ml Rhubarb Syrup
- 30 ml Strawberry Raspberry Gin Liqueur
- 22,5 ml Lemon Juice
- 5 ml Simple Syrup
- 2 Dashes of Citrus Bitters

GARNISH:
- Lemon Twist
- Sprig of Mint

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of mint.

Recently I bought a bunch of fresh rhubarb and decided to try and mix this summer flavour into a cocktail.

First you will need to make some delicious rhubarb syrup. Wash and cut the rhubarb into small pieces, then combine equal amount by weight rhubarb and sugar. Let is sit for a day, the sugar should extract all the juices and dissolve completely. Strain out the solids and you are left with tasty syrup. (If you want to extend the shelf life, heat the syrup until small bubbles start to appear and pour it into a sterilized bottle, add a tablespoon of vodka and store in the refrigerator).

I chose London dry gin as a base spirit with crisp and clear juniper notes. It pairs very well with rhubarb syrup and its sweet, tart summery taste. Strawberry-Raspberry liqueur (I used Foxdenton) further expands palette of summer flavours with hints of seasonal berries. Lemon juice, helps to balance out the sweetness and add loads of freshness. A barspoon of simple syrup is optional, it depends mostly on the homemade rhubarb syrup. Sometimes homemade syrup turns out tarter than others, since fresh rhubarb can vary a lot, and a little addition of simple syrup can help getting things back on track. Finally, a little spice of citrus bitters binds everything together while simultaneously expanding the aromatic element of the drink, which then further reinforced by the garnish.

This cocktail is my attempt to capture a Northern European summer in a glass. Fruity, light and refreshingly red with a shade of pink, a perfect cocktail for the summer holiday season.