As spring gets underway and summer looms closer, popsicles, cool salads and fruity cocktails are on my mind. This weekend is Cinco de Mayo, which also happens to fall on Kentucky Derby day – both cause for celebrations in my family! Because I won’t be enjoying any margaritas or cervezas this year with baby #3 on the way, I wanted to plan some kind of “fancy” drink to bring to my cousin’s Cinco/Derby party for myself- MOCKTAILS! ALSO, I scored some rhubarb from the farmers market and my mom’s yard this week so I wanted to incorporate something fresh and seasonal.
On a whim, I grabbed my copy of Put ‘em Up (my fave food preservation book!) and turned to the Rhubarb section. Sherri includes a simple recipe for rhubarb soda syrup, just what I was looking for in my own party mocktail. Thanks to my MIL gifting us a Soda Stream last year, I am a bit of a seltzer junkie. Just a few modifications to the original recipe – I skipped the vanilla since I didn’t have any and reduced the recipe a bit to save some of my rhubarb for other recipes.
Here’s what I did:
RECIPE: RHUBARB SODA SYRUP
1 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
METHOD: Place rhubarb, sugar and water in a small saucepot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or so. Remove from heat, drain through a mesh colander. Let liquid cool and store in a sealed jar or bottle. To use, pour two tablespoons syrup over ice and top with 8oz of seltzer.
I also tried a few other flavors. Honestly, these weren’t as light and refreshing as the rhubarb, but I think the novelty of a “new” flavor (or one I haven’t had in a year) out shone flavors I have all year!
RECIPE: HONEY – CITRUS SODA SYRUP
the juice of one navel orange and one red grapefruit
the zest of 1/4 – 1/2 orange and 1/4 grapefruit (for my first batch I used the zest of the whole grapefruit and orange and it was WAY too bitter)
1/4 cup honey
1 cup water
METHOD: Same method as above – bring all to boil, them simmer 15 minutes, then cool and use or bottle.
Blueberry Pickers Ahead, August 2011
RECIPE: BERRY SODA SYRUP
1 1/2 cups mixed berries (I used frozen blueberries and raspberries saved from last year’s pickings)
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
METHOD: Same method as above – bring all to boil, them simmer 15 minutes, then cool and use or bottle.
STORAGE FOR YOUR SYRUPS:
All syrups may be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week, or frozen for up to 6 months. If you’re looking for other tasty non-alcoholic drinks, check out Deanna’s mocktails - I will definitely be trying some of these this summer!
The rhubarb soda syrup looks so good! I think I’m going to have to try it……but then I have to get a Soda Stream too……maybe this is the perfect excuse
Beth
What a fun project! I think my family would enjoy this!
Yum ~ ever since I received a soda stream, I am also a junkie. I love making ginger syrup, but the rhubard recipe sounds fabulous! I have two questions:
1. Have you used stevia as part of your recipes?
2. Can you home can soda syrup?
thanks!
Hi Ona! I don’t use stevia, not sure how is works in recipes in general – if you try it let us know how it turns out! As far as canning, I think that it would definitely be safe to store in freezer jars. Without knowing the exact pH, I can’t say with certainty that it would be 100% safe to can – that being said, the rhubarb syrup could most likely be pressure canned safely. Any canning experts out there want to weigh in?
That’s an interesting idea. It’s too bad we can’t pick our own produce to use but there is always the grocery store…
Nothing wrong with the grocery store – make the best of what you have access to!
My daughter and I love bubble water (seltzer or mineral water), I often add a little bit of fresh juice from an orange or lemon or bottled 100% juice for a little bit of fresh flavor. But I’m very excited about these recipes, especially the rhubarb, I like the tangy flavor. ~Kristy
Kristy, we do the same in a pinch. As a kid growing up I remember one of my favorite treats my dad made me was 1/2 and 1/2 seltzer and orange juice. I thought it was “soda”… too bad I already introduced my own kids to root beer!