Rhubarb Collins

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 12/10/21
Nolet's Silver Dry Gin Rhubarb Collins Cocktail

Nolet's Silver Dry Gin
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Syrup: 60 mins
Total: 63 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
287 Calories
0g Fat
33g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 287
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 26mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 31g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 9mg 46%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 63mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Rhubarb is an underrated drink ingredient and it's one that should be used more often. The rhubarb collins is just one fascinating example of the vegetable's potential in cocktails. You're going to love how well it pairs with a nice gin to create a modern twist on the classic Tom Collins.

The rhubarb in this drink comes from a simple rhubarb syrup (made like unflavored simple syrup, but with rhubarb juice instead of water at a higher ratio). Its gentle, sweetened flavoring works perfectly with the rose, peach, and raspberry profile of Nolet's Silver Dry Gin. The rhubarb bitters are simply a little added bonus.

Also, there are not one, but two bitters in this cocktail. The cardamom bitters add an interesting twist and Scrappy's Cardamom Bitters is one of the best you can find.

Ingredients

For the Rhubarb Syrup:

  • 1 1/2 cups rhubarb juice

  • 1/2 cup sugar

For the Rhubarb Collins:

  • 2 1/2 ounces gin

  • 1 ounce rhubarb syrup

  • 1 ounce lime juice

  • 1 dash rhubarb bitters

  • 2 to 3 ounces club soda, to taste

  • 4 dashes cardamom bitters

Steps to Make It

Make Rhubarb Syrup

In order to make the syrup, you will need to make rhubarb juice as it's not one that you're likely to find at the local market. You can juice the rhubarb in some high-end juicers that can handle tougher vegetables. Otherwise, you will have to do some work to process the rhubarb in boiling water and extract its juice, but it's very easy. This is best if you have at least 2 pounds of rhubarb to work with (this rhubarb juice recipe yields about 2 quarts).

Once you have the juice, you can use a portion of it to make syrup. Make more if you like—after all, rhubarb's tart flavor is best when sweetened—making sure to keep the ratio at 3 parts rhubarb juice to 1 part sugar.

  1. In a small saucepan, bring the rhubarb juice to a slow boil. Stir in the sugar and continue stirring until it is completely dissolved.

  2. Reduce heat, cover, and allow the syrup to simmer for about 15 minutes.

  3. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely before bottling under a tight seal. It should keep well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Make the Rhubarb Collins

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the gin, rhubarb syrup, and lime juice, and add a dash of rhubarb bitters into a cocktail shaker.

  3. Fill with ice, and shake well.

  4. Strain into a collins glass filled with fresh ice and top with club soda.

  5. Top with 4 drops of cardamom bitters. Serve and enjoy.

How Strong Is a Rhubarb Collins?

Nolet's is bottled at a strong 47.6 percent ABV (95.2 proof) and this cocktail uses a very tall shot, so the drink is going to be full of flavor but not as mild as most highballs. It's not bad though and should have an alcohol content around 17 percent ABV (34 proof), which is perfect for a casual spring afternoon.