Learn how to make homemade Rhubarb Soda! This delicious rhubarb drink is super easy to make and so refreshing ... you'll find yourself returning this recipe all spring and summer long!
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Have you ever tried making your own soda? It's actually surprisingly simple ... you just need a flavored syrup and sparkling water!
This homemade Rhubarb Soda is one of my favorite spring / summer treats! I have a hard time finding fresh rhubarb where I live, so whenever I do, I'm pretty picky about how I use it. But I have zero regrets about making this delicious soft drink.
You are going to love this sparkling rhubarb drink, too! It has a wonderfully unique sweet-tart flavor, it's super refreshing, and it's really easy to make. Plus, unlike most sodas, you know exactly what's in it!
Ready to start sipping? Then keep reading for all the details!
Ingredients
You only need three basic ingredients to make this fizzy rhubarb drink:
- Rhubarb - For starters, you'll need fresh rhubarb to make the Rhubarb Simple Syrup. Choose stalks that are firm and fresh, and for the best color, select stalks that are bright red. Frozen rhubarb may also be used if you can't find fresh.
- Sugar - You'll also need granulated sugar to make the syrup. Raw rhubarb is extremely tart, and the sugar helps balance its astringency.
- Sparkling Water - Once you'll make the syrup, you'll mix it with sparkling water. Any kind works ... I like Topo Chico!
This easy recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free!
You'll Also Need
You'll need a sharp knife and cutting board, as well as a medium pot (preferably one with a heavy bottom) and a fine mesh strainer to make the syrup. If you have a food scale, use that to weigh the chopped rhubarb for a more accurate measure. Otherwise, you can use a large measuring cup.
How to Make Rhubarb Soda
This recipe couldn't be simpler to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Make rhubarb syrup. Start by combining the rhubarb, sugar, and water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar, then reduce the heat and simmer until the rhubarb is soft. Let cool, then run the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp. Tip: Don't throw out the pulp! It makes a delish jam for bread, bagels, and more.
- Add syrup to glass. Once the syrup has chilled, add some to the bottom of your glass.
- Top with sparkling water. Add the sparkling water to the syrup, then mix well.
- Fill glass with ice and serve. Add ice to your glass, then serve.
And that's all there is to it ... time to start sipping your delicious Rhubarb Pop!
Variations
This rhubarb fizzy drink is perfect as-is, but it's fun to customize, too! Here are some easy ideas:
- Frozen Rhubarb - If you can't find fresh rhubarb, feel free to use frozen.
- Store Bought Syrup - Premade syrups, like this cocktail syrup or this strawberry rhubarb mix will also work great. Just keep in mind that store bought syrups will vary in flavor and sweetness (add them to taste).
- Sweeter / Less Sweet - To adjust the sweetness level, you can add more (or less) syrup or sparkling water.
- Strawberry Rhubarb - To make Strawberry Rhubarb Soda, prepare the syrup as directed, except substitute strawberries for half the rhubarb.
- Lime or Lemon - I like to garnish this homemade soda pop with a lime wedge. A squeeze of fresh juice is totally optional, but it brightens up the other flavors. Lemon works well, too.
- Ginger - Spicy ginger pairs so well with this spring fruit! Try adding some fresh ginger when making the syrup, or swap out the sparkling water for ginger beer.
- Vanilla - Add a vanilla pod when making the syrup, or stir a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract into the finished syrup.
- Cocktail - Turn this rhubarb drink into a refreshing cocktail by mixing it with sparkling wine to create a spritz, or by adding a shot of vodka or gin for a simple mixed drink.
Storage
This Rhubarb Soda recipe tastes best when fresh. If you make it ahead of time, it will go flat. However, you can definitely prepare the syrup in advance. Store leftover syrup in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in your refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Related Recipes
If you love this recipe, make sure to try this tasty Rhubarb Lemonade next! And I've got tons of other rhubarb recipes to inspire you too, like this quick+ delish easy Rhubarb Bread and this amazing Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. If it's drinks you're searching for, try one of these recipes next:
- Juices - You can make these healthy Mango Juice and Watermelon Juice recipes in your blender ... no fancy equipment required!
- Lemonade - Treat yourself to this delicious Lemonade for One, or make a pitcher of this refreshing Watermelon Lemonade or this lovely Strawberry Lemonade.
- Tea - For a tasty twist on classic iced tea, try this Green Tea with Coconut Water, Melon Iced Tea, or Green Tea Peach Cooler!
- Mocktail - Cool off with this yummy Mojito Mocktail this summer!
Rhubarb Soda
Ingredients
For Syrup:
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb (17.5 ounces / 496 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For Soda:
- ⅔ cup sparkling water
Equipment
- Medium Pot (preferably with a heavy bottom)
Instructions
Prepare Syrup:
- Combine rhubarb, sugar, and water in a medium pot over high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until rhubarb is soft and starting to fall apart, stirring frequently (about 5 to 7 minutes).
- Remove from heat, then let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl, then transfer rhubarb mixture to strainer.
- Stir rhubarb mixture until most liquid has drained into bowl, then firmly press the pulp with the back of a spoon to extract the remaining liquid.
- Chill syrup before using.
Prepare Soda:
- Place ⅓ cup chilled syrup in the bottom of a glass.
- Top syrup with ⅔ cup sparkling water. Stir well.
- Fill glass with ice, then serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- ½ cup syrup + ½ cup sparkling water (most sweet)
- ⅓ cup syrup + ⅔ cup sparkling water (this is my fave, and what I recommend above)
- ¼ cup syrup + ¾ cup sparkling water (least sweet)
Nutrition
