Rhubarb Gin Spritz

This Rhubarb Gin Spritz is a delicious way to make the most of fresh rhubarb while it’s in season.  Bright, tart, and beautifully refreshing, it combines homemade rhubarb syrup with crisp gin, fresh lemon, sparkling wine and plenty of ice for an easy cocktail recipe that’s perfect for warm afternoons and summer entertaining.  Light enough for an aperitif yet special enough to serve at a celebration, this seasonal gin cocktail is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink - and one you’ll find yourself making throughout rhubarb season.

Are you hosting this summer and looking for an easy cocktail that is both refreshing, stunning and a little unexpected?  While the Aperol Spritz and the Hugo Spritz have become go-to summer cocktails, those two types of spritz are only the beginning of what is possible when you mix prosecco or sparkling wine with liqueurs, fruit flavours, citrus and lots of ice.  Spritz cocktails are endlessly adaptable, and seasonal ingredients like fresh rhubarb bring a vibrant new twist to this classic style of drink.  Light, bubbly, and served over plenty of ice, this Rhubarb Gin Spritz is perfect for entertaining, and is just as at home on a city patio, as it is at dockside happy hours, backyard barbecues, brunch with friends, garden parties, or slow summer evenings spent outdoors.

What goes in a Rhubarb Gin Spritz?

This Rhubarb Gin Spritz comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients, each one adding to its bright, refreshing flavour and beautiful blush-pink colour.

• Rhubarb: Fresh rhubarb is one of the first signs that warmer days have arrived.  Look for firm, crisp stalks at farmers’ markets, local farm stands, and good grocery stores from late spring though early summer.  The brighter the colour of the stalks, the more striking the colour of your rhubarb syrup and cocktail.
• Granulated Sugar:  The first step in this recipe is making a rhubarb syrup, which involves nothing more than simmering fresh rhubarb with sugar and water until the rhubarb releases both its delicious flavour and gorgeous colour.  Rhubarb is notoriously tart, so sugar lends necessary sweetness and creates the perfect sweet-tart, sour candy, flavour.
• Gin: The crisp, botanical character of gin makes it a perfect match for rhubarb, with bright juniper and citrus notes adding balance and depth to the sweet-tart flavour of the rhubarb syrup.
• Lemon Juice:  Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness to this cocktail, perfectly balancing the sweetness and complimenting the citrus flavours of the gin.
• Prosecco or Sparkling Wine:  Prosecco is the traditional sparkling wine used in many classic spritz cocktails, a refreshing style of drink that originated in Italy.  Its crisp bubbles and light, fruity character make it a natural choice for a Rhubarb Gin Spritz, adding brightness and balance to the tart flavour of the rhubarb.  If Prosecco isn’t available, any dry sparkling white wine can be used in its place to create a light, bubbly cocktail that’s perfect for warm weather sipping.
• Candied Rhubarb Ribbons for Garnish (optional): A garnish of candied rhubbarb ribbons is completely optional, but it adds a stunning finishing touch to this Rhubarb Gin Spritz.  Delicate, colourful, delicious and suprisingly simple to make, these sweet-tart ribbons look impressive draped over the glass and are an easy way to elevate your cocktail presentation.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

I recently served this Rhubarb Gin Spritz as the welcome drink at my Strawberry Social Lunch, and it was the perfect way to greet guests on a warm summer afternoon. With its bright rhubarb flavour, refreshing bubbles, and beautiful seasonal colour, this easy summer gin cocktail is ideal for brunches, garden parties, and relaxed gatherings with friends. The crisp, slightly tart flavour of rhubarb pairs especially well with creamy and savoury appetizers, making it a natural match for my Whipped Brie with Fresh Strawberries and Thyme. The combination of rich, creamy brie, sweet summer strawberries, fragrant thyme, and the refreshing sparkle of the gin spritz creates a lovely balance of flavours. This versatile cocktail is also perfect served alongside a simple charcuterie board, marinated olives, cured meats, crostini, and other light summer bites. Whether enjoyed as a welcome cocktail before a meal or served at a leisurely brunch, a Rhubarb Gin Spritz brings a fresh, elegant touch to any summer entertaining menu.