The Pocket Rhubarb Cookbook by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau teaches us the importance of rhubarb’s flavor with this gimlet recipe. She reminds us that this underdog vegetable can turn simple flavors into complex, sophisticated wonders.
What is a Gimlet?
You’ve probably heard of this classic cocktail but may be wondering, what exactly is a gimlet anyways? A gimlet is one of the most simple and refreshing cocktails out there with notes of tartness. Traditionally, it’s made with just two ingredients: gin (though vodka is a popular substitution) and lime juice, sometimes sweetened with simple syrup or a sweetened lime juice made for cocktails. The proportions can vary, but the result is typically a clean, crisp, and balanced drink. Here the botanical notes of the gin (or the neutrality of vodka) brighten with a bit of citrus juice in a timeless concoction. Which also explains why the inclusion of rhubarb fits so well with a gimlet.
Rhubarb Gimlet
- Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x
Description
Who knew rhubarb and gin could be so harmonious?
Ingredients
For the rhubarb simple syrup:
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb
- ½ cup granulated sugar
For the drink:
- 2 oz rhubarb gin
- ¾ oz rhubarb simple syrup
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
Instructions
For the rhubarb simple syrup:
- Mix the water, sliced rhubarb, and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer 12-15 minutes until the mixture has thickened.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a glass jar, pressing the rhubarb pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Discard the solids or use in chutney or jam. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
For the drink:
- Mix the gin, simple syrup, and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
- Strain and pour into a glass with fresh ice cubes.
Recipe Excerpted from The Pocket Rhubarb Cookbook by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau (Belt Publishing, © 2025)
Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce
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