Skip to main content
Epicurious

The Shrubarb Cocktail

By Matt Duckor

5.0

(6)

Image may contain Drink Juice Beverage Soda Lipstick and Cosmetics
Photo by Chelsea Kyle

Creating a shrub—a vinegar-based syrup—is a quick way to add sweetness and acid to any cocktail. The one used here uses tangy rhubarb and gets a slight kick from fresh ginger. Want a non-alcoholic version? Just skip the gin.

Do ahead:

The ginger-rhubarb shrub can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The shrub makes enough for 12 cocktails.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hour

  • Yield

    Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

For the ginger-rhubarb shrub:

2 pounds rhubarb, cut into 1/4" pieces (about 6 cups)
1 (7-inch) piece ginger, unpeeled, cut into 1/4" coins (about 1/4 cup)
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups sugar

For each cocktail:

2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
Club soda (for serving)

Preparation

  1. For the ginger-rhubarb shrub:

    Step 1

    Combine rhubarb, ginger, vinegar, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb is completely broken down and strands are visible, 10–15 minutes.

    Step 2

    Using a fine-mesh sieve or a colander lined with cheesecloth, strain mixture into a glass container. Let cool to room temperature, then chill.

  2. For each cocktail:

    Step 3

    Combine gin, lime juice, and 1 1/2 ounces reserved ginger-rhubarb shrub in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice and shake until outside of shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled Collins-style glass, filling three-quarters full. Top off with club soda.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesGinRhubarbFruitGingerHerbs & SpicesEasySimmer

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Kimchi Bloody Mary
The kimchi brine is the secret hero here; just a splash of it brightens the cocktail while deepening it with a little funky je ne sais quoi.
Sea Breeze
Gourmet’s version of this perfect summer drink mixes the ideal ratio of vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juices, right in the glass.
Fufu
Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.
Bicycle Bandit
A riff on the Bicycle Thief cocktail, a citrusy, low ABV riff on a Negroni, this three-ingredient, party-ready twist features grapefruit soda.
Grape Dumplings
Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.
Luscious Banana Pudding
Layer homemade custard, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers under clouds of whipped cream for this iconic dessert.
Sour Cherry and Campari Galette
This Campari-spiked galette features the herbal aperitif, tart cherries, and floral citrus zest and is perfect for those who prefer bitter to sweet.
Jammy Grape Galette
We don’t bake with grapes as often as we should. But even the most average supermarket varieties come alive when roasted with a bit of sugar and seasoning.