Make your own Homemade Rhubarb Simple Syrup that you can use in cocktails, mocktails, desserts, and more! All you need is fresh rhubarb, sugar, and water to make this easy and delicious syrup.
How to Make Rhubarb Syrup
Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to steep as it cools completely (at least 1 hour).
Strain the rhubarb pieces from the liquid into a sealable jar or bottle. The syrup will last in the fridge in a sealed container for 1-2 weeks or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Is Rhubarb Safe to Eat?
The stalks of a rhubarb plant are safe to eat. However, rhubarb leaves are poisonous and must be removed before using the stalks. If you grow your own rhubarb, when you harvest the stalks, remove the leaves at the same time. I
f you purchase rhubarb at the store or market and there are leaves still attached, remove them before storing the stalks in the fridge. The stalks actually keep longer without the leaves.
When shopping for rhubarb look for stalks that are firm and crisp. They should also be a deep red color and free from damage. The thinner and darker pink the rhubarb stalk is, the sweeter it will be.
Is Rhubarb Good For you?
Yes! Rhubarb is considered a superfood because the stalks are rich in antioxidants. According to some studies, rhubarb can also help lower cholesterol.
Rhubarb can aid digestion because of the tannins and fiber found in its stalks. Rhubarb is also rich in vitamin K and has anthocyanins that can boost heart health by reducing inflammation.
What to Use Rhubarb Syrup For
- Make a Rhubarb Cocktail.
- Add to iced tea or lemonade.
- Add to sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail.
- Make a bellini with champagne or presecco and syrup.
- Drizzle over vanilla ice cream.
- Give it as a gift!
Other Flavor Variations
Rhubarb syrup is delicious on its own but you can also mix in other flavors for even more delicious syrup combinations.
- Add some fresh ginger for some added spice.
- Put in a vanilla bean for a rich balance to the bitter rhubarb
- Add some fresh mint or basil for an herby punch.
- Zest in some citrus peel for a bright addition.
Tools Needed to Make Homemade Syrup
More DIY Syrup and Mixer Recipes to Check Out
- Lilac Simple Syrup
- Lavender Simple Syrup Recipe
- Candy Cane Syrup
- How to Make Candied Ginger and Ginger Syrup
- Fresh Fruit Shrub Recipe
Rhubarb Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups fresh rhubarb, washed and chopped
- red food coloring (optional, see notes)
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to steep as it cools completely (at least 1 hour). Strain the rhubarb pieces from the liquid into a sealable jar or bottle. If you are adding food coloring, add 1-2 drops to the bottle, seal the bottle and shake to combine. The syrup will last in the fridge in a sealed container for 1-2 weeks or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Adding food coloring is completely optional. I find that the rhubarb that grows in my garden does not give as much tint to the syrup as I would like. If your rhubarb has more red coloring in it, you may not need to add color. I like the brighter pink color.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you make This Rhubarb Simple Syrup?
If you make this Rhubarb Simple Syrup Recipe, please leave a comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me what you made with it.
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Rhubarb photo by Edson Rosas on Unsplash.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
I bet this is as good as it looks. YUMMMM!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I never thought to make syrup out of the tons of rhubarb I get every year at the allotment. What a great idea and easy to make!
Emily says
Yes! If you get a lot of rhubarb this is the perfect way to use it up. Have fun!
Natalie says
This is great. I will have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Emily says
Thanks, Natalie. I hope you get a chance to try it soon.
Oscar says
This was so good, we had it with some tequila and made rhubarb margaritas.
Emily says
Oh wow, that sounds like a cocktail I need to make! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Lima Ekram says
Loved the simple syrup - I drizzled a little on a cake that I made - it was delicious!
Emily says
Oh, that does sound delicious! Thanks for trying it out.
Luci Petlack says
Ooh! I love the flavor of rhubarb (when appropriately sweet), so simple syrup makes so much sense. And the recipe looks so easy. I'm going to look out for rhubarb next time I'm at the market! YUM!
Emily says
Luci, you will love this syrup. I hope you find some delicious rhubarb soon!
Michelle says
Love how easy it is to make this syrup! Can't wait to put it in my baked goods!
Emily says
This rhubarb syrup is perfect for baked goods. Happy baking!
Michelle says
What a creative use for rhubarb! Excited to add this to some lemonade this summer!
Emily says
Thanks, Michelle, enjoy!!
Dannii says
I never would have thought to use rhubarb like this. This looks amazing, and so many uses too.
Freya says
This was so good served over vanilla ice cream!
Emily says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Meenakshi says
It was perfect👌 .Made Rhubarb lemonade with this syrup. It was so refreshing.
Emily says
Oh, that sounds so delicious and refreshing!! I'm so glad you liked this recipe.
Sue says
What a wonderful and fresh idea to use rhubarb. I need to make this - I'd love some rhubarb syrup in a cocktail or lemonade - YUMM!
Emily says
Thanks, Sue! You could also make a rhubarb lemonade cocktail...🍸
Amy says
What a great idea! I love anything rhubarb!
Emily says
Thanks, Amy. I think rhubarb is such a unique flavor and should be used in more things.
Anna says
What a fantastic use for rhubarb! I can only imagine how delicious this will be mixed with some cocktails.
Emily says
A cocktail mixer is the best way to use this rhubarb syrup...in my opinion 😁.
Kylie says
this is perfect for using up my mega rhubarb crop!
Emily says
I'm so jealous, my rhubarb crop this year was kind of small, but I still got some syrup out of it. Enjoy!
Bernice says
This delicious simple syrup is so versatile...we made a few great weekend cocktails with it!
Emily says
So glad to hear it, Bernice. Cheers!