Just before I left for France, my kitchen was overloaded with local strawberries and rhubarb from my organic box. I used up a fair amount making jam but still had more left over and as the weather was so hot, I was thinking a sweet syrupy cordial might be in order – to mix into club soda or even cocktails. A few weeks ago, I made a simple rhubarb syrup similar to this one on Canadian Living, which we enjoyed but which we found lacking in a little substance and sweetness (you also needed a lot of it to be able to taste it in a fizzy drink). I wondered if adding strawberries might be a way to thicken the syrup and add an extra layer of sweetness. I was right. This was a perfect combination. I didn’t add any water to this syrup in the cooking as I like the thicker syrup it produces, although a lot of recipes call for adding it. I say play around, experiment until you find the consistency that works for you.
Rhubarb and strawberry syrup
Easy strawberry and rhubarb syrup
Ingredients
- 500g (weigh after trimming) rhubarb, roughly chopped
- 200g (weigh after hulling) strawberries, roughly chopped
- 200g granulated sugar
- rind of 1 lemon (removed with a vegetable peeler)
Instructions
- In a heavy saucepan combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and lemon rind, stirring to combine.
- Over medium-high heat, bring the fruit to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover, simmering until the fruit is broken down, about 8 minutes. The mixture should be starting to thicken at this stage.
- Pour the mixture into a metal sieve over a large bowl and use a rubber spatula to press down on the fruit to release the liquid.
- Refrigerate the syrup until chilled. Can be refrigerated (in an airtight jar) for 5 days.
We enjoyed on its own in fizzy water as well as in a gin and tonic… So many possibilities…
Recipe shared with permission, originally published on Front Door Organics.
It went very well with some Mauritian rum!
I think I will stick with fizzy water or gin!
I’m sorry I wasn’t there to try it, Mr Neil
You would have enjoyed!
Nice post. I just discovered you.
Thanks for stopping by!
My Aussie hubby makes cordials.
I make sharbats.
They’re all basically homemade syrups that are perfect for
a refreshing, last-minute drink on a hot day.
Love the idea of rhubarb w strawberry.
I’ll have to make a batch and taste it!
Yes I would call this cordial normally too but it’s definitely more of a syrup…
Tequila Cocktails with this syrup is a winner! 😉
#SimpleandinSeason