5 Ingredients or Fewer

Rhubarb and Basil Spritzer

May 29, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves Rhubarb puree makes about 3 cups, directions are for one drink with puree
Author Notes

I'm just back from a fabulous day spent preserving and canning rhubarb creations at Mrs. Wheelbarrow's beautiful home with other Food52 peeps, including our fearless leader Amanda. As per usual with a Food 52 event, the food was amazing and plentiful: homemade cheeses by SallyCan, frittata, salads, homemade sausages by the Charcutepalooza Queen herself, and other spreads, pickles and preserves....and the desserts! There was plenty to choose from. Yours truly was in charge of beverages, and I wanted something light and refreshing. I have had strawberry and basil cocktails before, but the theme of the day was Rhubarb - so here is my take on a Rhubarb and Basil Cocktail. They're refreshing and light as promised, not too sweet, and you can booze them up or down or not at all according to your preference. —Burnt Offerings

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Ingredients
  • 4 cups fresh, chopped rhubarb pieces
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 basil leaves - chiffonade
  • 1 1/2 ounces citron vodka (or as much or little vodka as you like)
  • seltzer water
Directions
  1. Place the rhubarb, sugar and water in a large pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then pour into a blender, or use an immersion blender right in the pot and puree the rhubarb mixture until smooth.
  3. Strain the rhubarb puree in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl to remove any fibrous bits of rhubarb. Pour puree into a jar and refrigerate.
  4. To make a cocktail. Chiffonade a few basil leaves and add them to a tall glass with ice. Muddle them a little.
  5. Pour in the desired amount of vodka.
  6. Fill glass almost to the top with seltzer, leaving room for the rhubarb puree.
  7. Place 2-3 tablespoons of puree in the glass and mix well with a zwizzle stick.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

8 Reviews

Sagegreen May 31, 2011
This is lovely!
wssmom May 31, 2011
This is amazingly lovely!
gingerroot May 31, 2011
Love this, Linda! If I ever spot some rhubarb here (more difficult than you'd think) I'm making myself one of these.
hardlikearmour May 30, 2011
Yum, and I'm really envious!
Preta75 May 30, 2011
Ohh, this sounds so delicious. I just pulled some rhubarb today, I'm going to make this and I can't wait to try it.
Burnt O. May 30, 2011
If it's even half as hot where you are as it is here in Baltimore today (mid 90's!!) - it will be a lovely Memorial Day refresher.
Lizthechef May 29, 2011
Sounds like a wonderful gathering - and your drink looks perfect for summer get-togethers!
Burnt O. May 29, 2011
It was an absolutely lovely day. Mrs. Wheelbarrow was a terrific host and instructor, and the drink was lovely. I really liked the basil with it instead of mint,