This Rhubarb Simple Syrup screams spring and summer! The tart rhubarb vegetable combined with the sweet honey makes for the most perfect combination. This homemade simple syrup only takes minutes to make and lasts for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. I love combining this homemade simple syrup with some club soda, but you can totally make it into a cocktail too if that is your jam!
I love to keep this simple syrup on hand in the refrigerator so that I always have the options for a refreshing drink as well as something delicious to offer my guests. For spring and summer gatherings, I love to have an array of simple syrups, garnishes, and mix ins for my guests to create their own refreshing drink of choice. If you like this simple syrup, you will love my Watermelon Mocktail, Ginger Mocktail, and Homemade Elderberry Syrup as well! I have been loving it lately and cannot get enough of it.
If you have a lot of rhubarb leftover after making this recipe, check out one of my other seasonal favorites, my Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake recipe!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- First off the rhubarb and honey combination is seriously to die for. Rhubarb is naturally tart but when you combine it with something sweet it is SO delicious.
- This recipe is naturally refined sugar free, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and alcohol free.
- You can make this simple syrup ahead of time and use it for when you have guests!
- This recipe only takes 15 minutes to make which makes it a great last minute addition to your fun nights in.
- You can spice up this recipe by adding strawberries in to make a lovely rhubarb strawberry simple syrup!
- If you love mocktails and fun drinks like me you can check out the other simple syrup and mocktail recipes I have on my blog!
Ingredients
- Rhubarb-The best way to know if rhubarb is ripe is by the length of it. It should be between 7-15 inches. It is important not to pay attention to the color because the color doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of ripeness.
- Honey-Honey is a must! Rhubarb alone is very bitter but when it is mixed with honey it has the best taste ever! It is nice and sweet and oh so delicious. I would not suggest substituting honey with any other sweetener here, especially if you want to keep it refined sugar free.
- Filtered water- To make the syrup with.
Optional:
- Strawberries– Rhubarb and strawberry are so good together. The strawberry will add extra color to the syrup as well.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can add the optional ingredient of strawberries to add additional color and flavor to your simple syrup.
- If you do not like honey, you can choose to substitute it for your natural sweetener of choice such as agave.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step by Step Instructions
Equipment Needed
Expert Tips
- Tip # 1: If your rhubarb is still green, adding strawberries will still make the syrup that pretty pink color.
- Tip # 2: Depending on your equipment, you may want to use a funnel when pouring the simple syrup from the bowl into a mason jar. This will prevent spills and ensure you don’t lose any of your mixture!
- Tip # 3: Depending on where you purchase your rhubarb, there may still be green leaves attached to the top. You will want to cut the greens off and will not use those in this dish.
Recipe FAQ’s
You can pair this simple syrup with club soda, tonic water, or a liquor of your choice!
I love to mix the Rhubarb Simple Syrup with San Pellegrino. It is so light and refreshing. You can also mix it with club soda if you want it to be more fizzy. If you drink alcohol, you can mix it with vodka, rum, or prosecco as well.
I like to garnish it with basil leaves. You could also garnish with a strawberry or an extra piece of rhubarb. I like to put my mocktails in fancy glasses as well. It makes it fun!
Rhubarb is actually a vegetable. It is hardly even consumed raw because it has a really sour taste. It is mostly consumed with sweet things. It is often used in desserts because the combination of rhubarb with something sweet is so delicious.
Storage Instructions
- This simple syrup can be stored in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Other Mocktail Recipes You Will Love
Want a free guide of my go to healthy alternatives?
Rhubarb Simple Syrup
Equipment
- sauce pot
Ingredients
For the rhubarb syrup
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups chopped rhubarb chopped into ½-1 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup honey I prefer raw honey
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 1 cup strawberries optional
To make it into a drink-
- 1 cup club soda
- 2 basil leaves
- 1/4 cup rhubarb syrup
Instructions
- Using a pot on the stove, place all of the rhubarb syrup ingredients in the pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes and remove from the heat
- Let the mixture cool for 20 minutes.
- After the mixture cools, use a strainer with a bowl below and strain the mixture allowing the syrup to fall into the bowl
- Pour the syrup into a mason jar and allow it to cool (the syrup will last for several weeks)
- In a large cup mix the club soda, basil, and rhubarb syrup.
- Add an ice cube to a cocktail glass
- Pour the cocktail in the glass.
Karla Tataryn says
I didn’t make my rhubarb syrup with ginger… so I used this recipe but added about a teaspoon of angostura bitters to each drink and it was a hit!
I am so glad you liked it!