Versatile, simple and oh so refreshing, Lemongrass-Ginger Rhubarb Soda is easy to make using the freshest farmers market finds! vegan + gf
Spring weekends are the best! I feel like I’m finally coming out of hibernation. Rob and I took our annual trip to Orcas Island this past weekend for a little spring break. We had clear blue skies with sparse billowy clouds almost everyday. Perfect for hiking, picnics and general gazing. I shared a few pics on Instagram stories while we were there. Have you been?
Temperatures are starting to warm up, the farmers markets are in full swing and I’m starting to see popsicles on social media. Because of this, I’ve a few popsicle recipes in the works so get ready to dig out those popsicle molds!
The Chickadees are in incubation mode too as we wait for a beautiful brood of six to hatch! Next year Rob and I are planning a nest camera so we can watch it all unfold. We’re so curious about the details.
I crave bubbly, sparkly drinks more than I’d like to admit. But I never buy them for myself save the occasional ginger beer. After learning how easy it is to make fresh fruit syrups at home, store-bought soda has become a thing of the past. I can make them with fresh ingredients from the farmers market and there’s no waste to manage.
Plus it’s just fun having a tasty, homemade seasonal simple syrup on hand to mix into cocktails, create a refreshing spritzer with or to enjoy simply like in this Lemongrass-Ginger Rhubarb Soda.
And it takes no time at all to whip up!
Rhubarb can vary in its color and the resulting simple syrup will reflect this. If you find the rhubarb to be mostly green, add a raspberry to the pot of simple as it steeps. This will brighten the hue of the simple giving the soda a deeper hint of blush.
Use the simple in multiple recipes. Add a splash of gin or wine, replace the soda with Prosecco or add some cream for an Italian cream soda. The syrup is versatile. Play with different flavors and additions to create your own masterpiece!
Lemongrass-Ginger Rhubarb Soda
Versatile, simple and oh so refreshing, Lemongrass-Ginger Rhubarb Soda is easy to make using the freshest farmers market finds! Add a splash of cream to make it an Italian cream soda, a glug of gin for a good cocktail, sub Prosecco instead of club or add a splash of wine to create a spritzer. Have fun and make it your own! vegan + gf
Ingredients
- 1 C (225g) Cane Sugar
- 1 C (235g) Water
- 1 C (140g) Rhubarb sliced into small pieces
- 2, 6 1/2" (16.5cm) Pieces of Lemongrass sliced and smashed into 4-5 pieces each
- 2" (5cm) Knob of Fresh Ginger sliced thin
- Club Soda
- Mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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In a medium sauce-pot add the sugar, water, rhubarb, lemongrass and ginger. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to low to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Place a lid on the pot and steep for 10 minutes. Strain solids through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Pick out the ginger slices and lemongrass pieces and enjoy the rhubarb on toast, waffles, or eat with a spoon! Or discard the solids. Pour the syrup in a lidded container and chill until ready to use.
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Fill a glass with crushed ice, 1 oz or 2 oz (28g - 56g) to taste, of syrup and top with club soda. Stir and enjoy!
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Store syrup in a lidded container, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Or freeze for longer storage.
Recipe Notes
Rhubarb can vary in its color and the resulting simple syrup will reflect this. If you find the skin of the rhubarb mostly green, add a raspberry to the pot of simple as it steeps. This will brighten the hue of the the simple giving the soda a deeper hint of blush.
Recipe inspired by Serious Eats Quick Pickled Rhubarb.
Gah, Traci, this looks so good and like just what I need right now! I am actually going to Orcas Island later this month, can’t wait. We are so lucky to live so close to the San Juans. Pinned this!
Thaank you Meghan! Hooray for Orcas… be sure to hike Moran State Park and Turtle Back Reserve – both are incredible! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spied Rhubarb at the farmers market last weekend (Labor Day!) OMGeee… now I’m wishing I bought some for this again… The syrup is particularly good with Gin! Thank you for your pin my dear! xo
I’ve never been to Orcas Island, but I know it’s a place you cherish. After I read your first post where you mentioned the majestic, tranquil island, I immediately put it on my Must-Visit list! I’m SO excited that you guys are going to put a nesting camera in next year!! OMG, that is going to be so fun to watch!! You are going to share that footage, right?! ;) Anyways, gimme all the sparkly, bubbly, refreshing drinks! The weather is finally consistently hot hot HOT here, so drinks like this one are in order! Although, I won’t lie, I’ll be adding a splash of gin or vodka to mine this weekend. <3 Pinned! Cheers, friend! xoxo
Oh goodness Chey.. I hope you do make it up there at some point. It is beyond words… and they’ve a fabulous bakery there too for after those loong hikes! :D Since it’s hot where you are, it’s time for a bubbly soda (and gin if you’re feeling up to it!). Thank you for pinning Chey! :D
I crave bubbly drinks too and this soda just sparked it! The lemongrass ginger combo sounds so refreshing and I love the light pink color from the rhubarb. So beautiful and perfect for spring!
The color is so pretty… thinking I need to make more and freeze it for later this summer when we hit highs in the low 70’s lol!!
this looks and sounds divine! i just need to wait another month until rhubarb is in season here and then i can make it! rhubarb season come at me!
Ooooh the waiting is the hardest part! I hope you enjoy it when you finally get your hands on rhubarb Rachael!
Love this flavor profile! This sounds so refreshing and perfect for summer!
Thank you Luci!
Oh heavens, this looks outrageously delicious.
With a bit of gin?
This flavor combination sounds nothing short of amazing!!!
Thank you Lindsay!
Love this drink, Traci. I’m a big ginger fan for its anti-imflammatory properties. I grate up a tablespoon or so of fresh ginger and add it to water bottle that I refill all day long. But your drink sounds much tastier! PS: loving your latest IG stories of Orca Island – so peaceful and beautiful. Do you ever see Orcas? PPS: yes to the nest cam!
I’m with you on ginger, Geraldine. It goes in my smoothies every day. But I love the idea of adding it to your water bottle! I gotta give that a go.. so smart! We’ve seen Orcas a few times, but they mostly hang out near San Juan Island to the West of Orcas. They are pretty incredible to see! (we’re checkin on the nest box cams for next spring! – Rob will have to engineer the wiring and probably a new box, but we’re already looking forward to it!)
I love making infused simple syrups Traci. And the flavors you’ve got going on in this sparkling little soda sound absolutely delicious. You know what I’ll be adding to mine…perhaps a glug or two of gin! What an awesome summertime beverage! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for more updates on the chickadees. I’d be sooo excited too to see footage from a nest camera too.
Gin pairs so well with this Mary Ann… can you imagine on a hot day! Freeze now for Summertime enjoyment! (we’re investigating the nest cams!).
I am in love with these pics Traci!! The drink looks so refreshing and perfect for summer! I love making simple syrups which are infused with something. I love how you have infused this simple syrup with the lemongrass, ginger and rhubarb! Lovely my dear!
So many possibilities with simple syrup, right? We’re on the same page this week, right? I’m still dreaming of your strawberry lemonade! :D
This looks like spring in a glass. Amazing- and I love your suggestion of adding in Prosecco.
Thank you Allyson!
This baby would make my weekend! So gorgeous and refreshing!
DO it Karen!
I’m totally with you, making your own syrups just feels so much fancier! I am going to hunt down some rhubarb this weekend and make a batch of this over the weekend, cheers to Friday my friend! xo
We all need to feel a little fancy from time to time, right? Go get that rhubarb Abby! :D
This looks and sounds delicious!! Perfect for summer!
Thank you Deborah!
This is beautiful, Tracy! And the ideas of adding Prosecco or a little cream have my wheels turning! Sounds like your spring is off to a wonderful start! Enjoy a sweet weekend, my friend!
Traci with an i…oooops! <3
Thaaank you Annie! I thought you’d like that Italian Cream Soda! Spring is off to a great start indeed! xo
This looks just lovely, Traci! I am definitely making this because you know I love my rhubarb! And ginger, too! Isn’t it just so fun to make your own syrups at home? I’m really into doing this now, especially since I always had miscellaneous pieces of fruits, herbs, etc. left over. It’s a great way to use up those extras! Have a great weekend!
Thank you Liz..I had a feeling you’d like this! It’s so easy to pull together too – the best part. Fun, yes! I think I’ll make some more and freeze it for later this summer when it’s in the mid 70s around here! hehe.
The most exquisite colour Traci! And that long twisty strip of rhubarb is so elegant. Love your suggestion of adding some raspberries for colour. The rhubarb in South Africa is more green than lucid pink. Putting this idea in my back pocket.
Thank you Di! I’ve used the raspberry trick on several occasions, but sometimes I don’t need it. Sometimes rhubarb is really red! I hope you enjoy it!