Spiced Rhubarb Collins: The Perfect Mother’s Day Celebration Cocktail

This exquisite Spiced Rhubarb Collins Cocktail is more than just a drink; it’s a vibrant, elegant, and perfectly balanced libation designed to make any occasion special, especially Mother’s Day. Its striking pink hue and complex flavor profile make it an unforgettable toast to the incredible mothers in our lives.

We’re thrilled to present today’s featured cocktail, a creation made possible with the generous support of our friends at Darnley’s View. As always, the opinions and enjoyment shared here are entirely our own. We extend our sincere gratitude for supporting the brands that enable The Beach House Kitchen to bring you delicious recipes and delightful experiences.

With the vibrant celebrations of Cinco de Mayo and the exciting thrill of the Kentucky Derby now behind us, our focus shifts wholeheartedly to the upcoming joy of Mother’s Day! And what could be a more thoughtful and delightful gesture than raising a glass of this exquisite Spiced Rhubarb Collins Cocktail to honor the remarkable mothers who enrich our lives?

The Allure of Rhubarb: A Seasonal Delight

For weeks, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of fresh rhubarb, and about a week ago, I finally struck gold! This delightful, tart stalk is a true harbinger of spring and early summer, offering a unique flavor profile that brightens both sweet and savory dishes. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with it in baking, adding a tangy twist to pies and crumbles. But, I must admit, its true calling for me often lies in cocktail creation. This Spiced Rhubarb Collins perfectly captures the essence of the season, making it an ideal choice for Mother’s Day brunches, sunny afternoon gatherings, and warm summer evenings.

Rhubarb’s distinct tartness, coupled with its ability to transform into a gorgeous pink hue when cooked, makes it an exceptional ingredient for crafting visually stunning and incredibly flavorful drinks. Its unique tang pairs wonderfully with a variety of spirits, cutting through richness and adding a refreshing zest that’s hard to replicate. Beyond its culinary appeal, rhubarb holds a nostalgic charm for many, reminiscent of homemade desserts and simpler times. Incorporating it into a cocktail not only offers a seasonal treat but also brings a touch of sophisticated whimsy to your glass.

Isn’t that beautiful pink color simply captivating? It’s not just appealing to the eye; it promises a drink that’s as delicious as it is pretty. And the best part? This elegant concoction is incredibly straightforward to prepare, proving that exceptional cocktails don’t always require complicated techniques. With just a few quality ingredients and simple steps, you can create a drink that tastes like it came straight from a high-end cocktail bar.

Crafting Your Spiced Rhubarb Collins: The Perfect Blend

At its heart, this Spiced Rhubarb Collins is a wonderfully simple yet sophisticated blend. It features Darnley’s View Spiced Gin, a spirit that has quickly become a new favorite in my collection, combined with a homemade rhubarb simple syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a sparkling splash of chilled club soda. Each component plays a crucial role in building a cocktail that is both refreshing and subtly complex.

The Star Ingredients:

• Darnley’s Spiced Gin: This isn’t just any gin. Its unique botanical blend offers a warm, inviting spice that perfectly complements the tart rhubarb.
• Homemade Rhubarb Simple Syrup: The secret to infusing that beautiful color and tangy-sweet rhubarb flavor into your drink. Making it yourself ensures freshness and control over sweetness.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Essential for balancing the sweetness of the syrup and the warmth of the gin, adding a bright, zesty kick that truly elevates the cocktail.
• Club Soda: The classic Collins ingredient, providing that effervescent finish and lightness that makes it so incredibly drinkable.

Discovering Darnley’s Spiced Gin

What truly sets this Spiced Rhubarb Collins apart is the remarkable Darnley’s Spiced Gin. This gin is a masterclass in balance, offering a full and rounded profile that delights the senses. It’s distilled with an artful combination of botanicals, including vibrant notes of orange, aromatic rosemary, comforting cinnamon, a subtle kick of peppercorns, and the warm embrace of cloves. This intricate blend creates a gin that is incredibly versatile, lending itself beautifully to a variety of cocktails, and particularly shining when paired with the tartness of rhubarb.

The botanical warmth of Darnley’s Spiced Gin, with its subtle citrus and peppery undertones, provides an exquisite counterpoint to the bright, tangy sweetness of the rhubarb simple syrup. This harmonious pairing results in a cocktail that is not only refreshing but also carries a delightful depth and a comforting, warm-spiced character. It’s truly a fabulous treat, perfect for celebrating Mom on her special day, or simply indulging in a sophisticated sip on any occasion. Enjoy the rich layers of flavor this unique gin brings to your glass!

Expert Tips for Your Spiced Rhubarb Collins

To ensure your Spiced Rhubarb Collins Cocktail is absolutely perfect, here are a few invaluable cook’s notes and tips:

• Garnish with Flair: While a lime wheel or a sprig of mint is always nice, consider using a small stalk of fresh rhubarb as a unique and elegant garnish for this cocktail. A long, thin shaving of rhubarb, delicately curled, adds a professional touch and reinforces the star ingredient.
• Rhubarb Simple Syrup Longevity: Your homemade rhubarb simple syrup is a fantastic ingredient to have on hand. It will keep beautifully in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to two weeks, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time or for making multiple batches of cocktails. It’s also delicious in iced tea or drizzled over yogurt!
• Fresh Ingredients are Key: Always opt for freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled juices simply don’t offer the same vibrant acidity and fresh flavor that elevate a cocktail from good to exceptional.
• Quality Ice Matters: Use good quality, fresh ice. Large ice cubes melt slower, diluting your drink less quickly, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your cocktail’s flavor profile.
• Adjust to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of rhubarb simple syrup or lime juice to suit your personal preference. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a little more syrup; if you like it tarter, increase the lime juice.

These small details can make a significant difference in the final taste and presentation of your cocktail, ensuring every sip is a delight.

More Cocktail Inspirations from The Beach House Kitchen

If you’ve fallen in love with the Spiced Rhubarb Collins, you’ll be thrilled to discover other beloved concoctions from The Beach House Kitchen. We’re always experimenting with fresh flavors and classic twists to bring you delightful libations. Be sure to check out some of our other favorite cocktail recipes:

• The Sauvignon Sunset: A vibrant and refreshing drink perfect for unwinding after a long day.
• The Tipsy Cat: A playful and delicious blend that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
• Orange Crush Cocktail: A zesty and invigorating citrus-infused delight, ideal for warm weather.

Each of these cocktails offers a unique experience, crafted with the same passion and attention to flavor that you’ll find in our Spiced Rhubarb Collins. Happy mixing!

Spiced Rhubarb Collins

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 2 cocktails

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

This Spiced Rhubarb Collins Cocktail is a delicious, pretty little libation that’s PERFECT to celebrate the special mother in your life this Mother’s Day!

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

Rhubarb Simple Syrup

• 1 stalk rhubarb, (plus one additional stalk for shaving), trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Cocktail

• 2 oz. Darnley’s Spiced Gin
• 2 oz. rhubarb simple syrup
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1-2 oz. club soda, chilled
• A few strips of shaved rhubarb (for garnish)

Instructions

Rhubarb Simple Syrup

1. First, use a vegetable peeler to shave a few thin strips of rhubarb for garnish. Set these aside. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and the cut rhubarb pieces. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook, uncovered, for about 20 minutes. Stir frequently until the rhubarb softens considerably and the syrup begins to thicken to your desired consistency.
2. Strain the cooked mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or container. Use a rubber spatula to gently press the rhubarb solids, extracting as much liquid as possible to maximize flavor. Allow the strained syrup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store this delicious syrup in the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to two weeks.

Spiced Rhubarb Collins

3. To prepare the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Darnley’s Spiced Gin, the prepared rhubarb simple syrup, and the freshly squeezed lime juice to the shaker. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds, or until the shaker is thoroughly chilled.
4. Strain the chilled cocktail mixture into a tall Collins glass (or a similar cocktail glass) that is filled with fresh ice. Top off the drink with 1 to 2 ounces of chilled club soda, adjusting the amount to your preference for fizziness. Garnish your beautiful Spiced Rhubarb Collins with one or two of the previously shaved strips of rhubarb. Serve immediately and enjoy!