Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz
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This Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz is a bright and beautiful cocktail that’s as easy to make as it is impressive. The syrup is made from scratch with fresh ingredients and delivers a bold, balanced flavor with a hint of ginger. Use gin, vodka, or rum to make it your own, or skip the alcohol for a fun mocktail.
Every year, I tend to come up with a new rhubarb-inspired cocktail recipe. (Okay, maybe not every year, but you get the idea.) This time around, I’m excited to add these Strawberry Rhubarb Spritzes to the list.
I have a rhubarb plant in my backyard, and while I always turn to a few tried-and-true recipes, I like to branch out and try something new each season. One of the new things I’ve made this year is this Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz.
The base of the drink is a delicious strawberry rhubarb simple syrup. It’s made with fresh rhubarb, juicy strawberries, a touch of ginger for zip, and a bit of lemon for brightness. From there, the drink is traditionally made with gin, but you can easily swap in your favorite clear liquor—vodka, rum, or even tequila. (I have yet to try the tequila since I’m not its biggest fan.) Everything gets topped off with sparkling water for a light and refreshing finish.
This fruit-forward, crisp, and easy-to-enjoy cocktail is just right for summer sipping. You can also turn it into a mocktail by simply skipping the liquor. If you prefer a sweeter drink, swap the sparkling water for lemon-lime soda—it’s a fun way to switch things up.
All you need is a quick batch of the strawberry rhubarb syrup, and you’ll be set to make these spritzes anytime the mood strikes—whether you’re toasting a special moment or just treating yourself.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
- This recipe is built around a homemade strawberry rhubarb syrup packed with flavor. It’s sweet, just a little tart, and has a warm zing from fresh ginger. You can make the syrup ahead of time, which makes assembling the drinks later a breeze. It’s also versatile enough to use in other cocktails or even mocktails.
- It’s refreshingly light and fruit-forward, perfect for those hot summer afternoons or a casual evening on the porch. The balance of sparkling water with the sweet-tart syrup creates a crisp drink without being too strong.
- It’s flexible and customizable. While gin is the go-to, vodka or rum work just as well, and you can even skip the booze altogether for a fun and flavorful non-alcoholic version. Want it sweeter? Swap in a lemon-lime soda.
Looking for more sweet cocktail recipes? You’ve got it! Check out this collection of some of my best sweet cocktail recipes here on Inspired by Charm.
Ingredients
One of the reasons I love this cocktail is that it only requires a handful of ingredients. Let’s gather up everything we will need:
- Strawberries – Fresh strawberries bring natural sweetness and a beautiful berry flavor to the syrup base.
- Rhubarb – Tart and vibrant, rhubarb adds that signature tangy bite that balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Granulated sugar – Used to create the simple syrup, sugar helps extract juices from the fruit and brings everything together.
- Fresh ginger – Thin slices of ginger give the syrup a touch of warm spice and zip, making the flavor more dynamic.
- Lemons – A bit of lemon zest brightens the syrup and enhances the overall fruitiness. The juice adds freshness and acidity to balance the sweetness and round out the syrup.
- Vodka, gin, or rum – You can choose your favorite clear liquor here—gin adds botanical notes, vodka keeps it neutral, and rum brings a subtle sweetness.
- Sparkling water – Topping off the cocktail with sparkling water adds a bubbly, refreshing finish without overpowering the flavor.
How To Make
Who’s ready for a refreshing cocktail? It’s time to make these Strawberry Rhubarb Spritzes! I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- To prepare the simple syrup, combine the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, 1 cup of water, ginger, and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring now and then. Once it begins to bubble, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the fruit is very soft and broken down.
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- Take the pan off the heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or large measuring cup. Press gently with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, then discard the solids. Stir in the lemon juice and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to a jar or an airtight container and refrigerate until you’re ready to use. It will keep for up to three weeks.
- To make a spritz, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ½ cup of the strawberry-rhubarb syrup and ½ cup of your spirit of choice. Secure the lid and shake well until the drink is chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into two glasses filled with fresh ice. Top each with ¼ cup sparkling water (or more if you prefer a lighter drink). As you’ll see in the photos below, you can also make individual servings as well. This drink is really flexible.
- Garnish with slices of fresh strawberry, ribbons of rhubarb, or a sprig of mint for a refreshing finish. Repeat to make additional servings.
And that’s all there is to it. Simple, refreshing, and oh so good! It’s refreshingly light, making it perfect for those hot summer afternoons or a casual evening on the porch. The balance of sparkling water with the sweet-tart syrup creates a drink that’s crisp without being too strong. Cheers, my friend!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen strawberries and rhubarb instead of fresh?
Yes, absolutely. Frozen fruit works well here, especially since it’s being cooked down into a syrup. Just let it thaw slightly before using so it’s easier to measure and will break down more evenly as it simmers.
How long does the strawberry rhubarb syrup last in the fridge?
The syrup will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Store it in an airtight container or jar. If you notice any cloudiness, off smells, or signs of fermentation, it’s time to make a new batch.
What’s the best way to serve a crowd with this recipe?
You can easily batch the syrup and mix the cocktail base ahead of time in a large pitcher. When it’s time to serve, pour into individual glasses filled with ice, then top each one with sparkling water for that fresh fizz.
More Sweet Cocktails You’ll Love
- Strawberry Rhubarb Margaritas
- Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini
- Jolly Rancher Shot
- Strawberry Rhubarb Old Fashioned
- Dirty Shirley
- Homemade Rhubarb Ginger Vodka
Whether you’re a longtime rhubarb lover or just dipping your toes into the season’s best ingredients, I think you’re going to have fun with these Strawberry Rhubarb Spritzes. They’re a playful, pretty cocktail that lets all those fresh flavors shine.
I hope this drink brings a little extra charm to your warm weather moments. Give it a try and feel free to tweak it to your tastes. Once you make it, I’d love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz
Ingredients
Simple Syrup:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries hulled
- 1 pound fresh or frozen rhubarb chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons, divided
Spritzes:
- Ice
- 2 cups vodka gin, or rum
- 2 cups sparkling water plus more as needed
- Sliced strawberries, rhubarb, and/or fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare the simple syrup, combine the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, 1 cup of water, ginger, and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring now and then. Once it begins to bubble, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the fruit is very soft and broken down.
- Take the pan off the heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or large measuring cup. Press gently with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, then discard the solids. Stir in the lemon juice and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to a jar or an airtight container and refrigerate until you’re ready to use. It will keep for up to three weeks.
- To make a spritz, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ½ cup of the strawberry-rhubarb syrup and ½ cup of your spirit of choice. Secure the lid and shake well until the drink is chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into two glasses filled with fresh ice. Top each with ¼ cup sparkling water (or more if you prefer a lighter drink).
- Garnish with slices of fresh strawberry, ribbons of rhubarb, or a sprig of mint for a refreshing finish. Repeat to make additional servings.