June 3, 2014
Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade
Now that I am back in my summer rhubarb routine I am trying to come with a few new recipes to fold into my tried and true. This is one I spotted on Epicurious a while ago and have finally (finally!) gotten the chance to try. My strawberry plants are still ripening so I made these with berries from the store. (The cool spring weather means our strawberry season is way behind.) It was super easy and was beyond delicious. It tasted like strawberry-rhubarb pie in a glass – sweet and refreshing. I added some sparkling water to dilute it a bit and add some effervescence, but you can do what you want. Here is the recipe for your new favorites summer drink.
Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade
adapted from Epicurious
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups water
- 2 cups rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup sparkling water
Instructions
- In a large saucepan add the water, rhubarb, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla. Bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes, and make sure the sugar is dissolved. Add the strawberries and bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
- Set a fine mesh sieve right over a pitcher and carefully pour the hot rhubarb mixture over it. Press down on the solids with a spatula. Some pulp will get through, but this will strain out the heavy solids. Let it sit until all the possible liquid is extracted.
- To the pitcher stir in the remaining strawberries, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Serve!
