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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails

    June 23, 2022 · Updated May 20, 2024

    Hard Rhubarb Lemonade (Easy Summer Cocktail!)

    5 from 3 votes
    2 Comments

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

    Hard Rhubarb Lemonade is a delicious summer cocktail that’s tart, sweet, and sparkly. Using only four ingredients, it’s easy as can be to make a round of drinks for your next backyard barbecue!

    A stemmed wine glass filled with hard rhubarb lemonade and garnished with lemon slices and mint sprigs on a white marble tray.

    Of all of the homemade drink recipes I’ve shared, this hard rhubarb lemonade recipe may be my personal favorite! It's perfectly pink, a little bit tart, not too sweet, and is great with either vodka or gin!

    That doesn’t mean I don’t love a nice Lillet rosé martini or a raspberry gin fizz, but there’s something really special about this cocktail.

    Ingredients for this recipe

    • Lemonade (fresh or from a bottle, no judgement here)
    • Vodka or Gin
    • Rhubarb Simple Syrup
    • Sparkling water (plain or lemon flavored)
    All the ingredients for hard rhubarb lemonade lay on a white marble backdrop.

    How to make the cocktail

    This is just a brief overview, detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below!

    1. Add the lemonade to a cocktail shaker. Make sure it’s filled with ice. A large Mason jar would also work to mix the drink.
    2. Add the vodka. At least 2 ounces (or more) depending on how strong you like it.
    3. Pour in the simple syrup. And stir or shake it all together!
    4. Pour into a glass filled with ice. And top with soda water!
    A hand pours lemonade over ice into a cocktail shaker.
    Add the lemonade to a shaker.
    Pour in the vodka.
    A hand pours rhubarb simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
    Then add the rhubarb simple syrup.
    Stir or shake it all together.
    Strain into a glass filled with ice.
    And top with soda water.

    Making a pitcher of hard rhubarb lemonade

    If you’re going to be entertaining a crowd and want to make a big batch of this hard lemonade, use these ratios:

    • 3 cups lemonade
    • 2 cups vodka
    • 1 cup rhubarb simple syrup

    Combine all the above in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to use. Pour 6 ounces into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. This will make enough to serve 8!

    A stemmed wine glass filled with hard rhubarb lemonade and garnished with lemon slices and mint sprigs on a white marble tray.

    Another great cocktail to serve a group is my famous Wisconsin Brandy Slush!

    Measuring Ounces for Cocktails

    If you don’t have a cocktail jigger to measure out your ounces of liquid, it’s handy to know that 2 tablespoons is equal to 1 fluid ounce.

    For instance, when this recipe calls for 3 ounces of lemonade, you would need 6 tablespoons.

    Using Premade Rhubarb Lemonade

    Alternatively, you can use 3 – 4 ounces of homemade rhubarb lemonade in place of the plain lemonade and rhubarb simple syrup. Or just pour vodka into a pitcher of it, I’m not here to judge!

    A good quality gin would also be terrific in place of the vodka if that’s more your speed!

    A stemmed wine glass filled with hard rhubarb lemonade and garnished with lemon slices and a mint sprig sit on a white marble tray. There are more lemons and mint springs scattered around the glass.

    Watch the recipe video!

    A stemmed wine glass filled with hard rhubarb lemonade and garnished with lemon slices and mint sprigs on a white marble tray.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Hard Rhubarb Lemonade

    Hard Rhubarb Lemonade is a delicious summer cocktail that’s tart, sweet, and sparkly. Using only four ingredients, it’s easy as can be to make a round for friends and family at your next backyard barbecue to all enjoy together!
    Cook Time3 minutes mins
    Total Time3 minutes mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Rhubarb, rhubarb cocktail, Rhubarb Simple Syrup, summer cocktail recipe
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 250kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Cocktail Jigger
    • Serving Glass

    Ingredients

    • 3 ounces lemonade
    • 2 ounces vodka
    • 1 ounce rhubarb simple syrup
    • Soda water for serving

    Instructions

    • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add 3 ounces lemonade, 2 ounces vodka, and 1 ounce rhubarb simple syrup. Stir or shake well to combine.
    • Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water (just an ounce or two).

    Video

    Notes

    • See post for notes on making a pitcher or recipe substitutions.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ounces | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 31g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

      Leave a rating and review! Cancel reply

      Did you love the recipe? Let me know! And let others know too by leaving a comment and star rating. Reviews are so useful in helping other people find my site and make my recipes. Your support means the world to me!

      Amanda

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Amanda V says

      May 04, 2024 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      So refreshing and delicious! It's quickly become my early summertime favorite - and so easy!

      (This comment was left by a family member of the writer of midwestniceblog.com)

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        May 04, 2024 at 7:11 pm

        It's the perfect summer sipper, I couldn't agree more! 🙂

        Reply

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