We’re back this week with an easy and refreshing Rhubarb Thyme Gin Sour. It’s the perfect way to use up the last of the summer rhubarb…with booze!
Truthfully, we’ve still got tonnes of rhubarb left to go on the island. Everywhere else may be moving on to mid summer cherries and blueberries, but things have been a bit slow to start this year. It’s been…cold. And for Newfoundland, that’s saying something. Our poor gardens are just barely getting started. Thank goodness for rhubarb – it’s all we’ve got at the moment!
It seems there’s been one benefit to the late onset of summer though, and this cocktail is it. The weather finally turned warm earlier the week, and we needed a refreshing cocktail to enjoy on the deck immediately! Enter a seasonal twist on one of our favourite classic cocktails, the gin sour.
The thought of making your own simple syrup may be daunting to some, but it really and truly couldn’t be easier. The process was simple, really. Boil some rhubarb and sugar on the stovetop for about 20 minutes, throw a sprig of thyme in during the last 5 minutes, then strain the liquid off into a mason jar and that’s it!! Rhubarb thyme simple syrup. At this point, you can do whatever you want with it. I bet it would make a wicked lemonade if you substituted the syrup in our mint lemonade. We were in need of some more potent (aka alcoholic) refreshment, so we went with a standard gin sour with good quality gin, an eggwhite to soften the sour kick of lemon juice, and a dash of rhubarb bitters to round it out. Shake over ice, strain, and voila! The Rhubarb Thyme Gin Sour: Summer sipping standout.
Pro tip – keep that broken down rhubarb you strained off in the fridge for up to a week and use as jam for toast, ice cream, or whatever else you fancy! We’re partial to Mom’s homemade sourdough – toasted with butter, and a generous dollop of jam on top.
Rhubarb Thyme Gin Sour
Ingredients
Rhubarb Thyme Simple Syrup
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
Rhubarb Thyme Gin Sour
- 1.5 oz high quality gin
- 1.5 oz rhubarb thyme simple syrup
- 1.5 oz lemon juice
- 3 dashes rhubarb bitters such as Dillons
- 1 egg white
- ice
- thyme for garnish
Instructions
To make the Rhubarb Thyme Simple Syrup
- Combine the rhubarb, sugar, and water into a large pot. Give a stir and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Add the thyme and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and strain with a fine mesh strainer into a mason jar. Put the reserved rhubarb solids aside and keep for several days in the fridge if desired. Cool the simple syrup and keep for up to a week in the fridge.
To make the Rhubarb Thyme Gin Sour
- Combine all ingredients except the thyme and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Add ice, and shake for an additional 10 seconds. Strain into a coupe or your favourite glass, garnish with a sprig of thyme and enjoy!
