2000s Recipes + Menus

Rhubarb Ginger Cooler
Makes12 drinks
- Active time:15 min
- Start to finish:2 hr (includes chilling)
To call this bracing pink drink a rhubarb-infused ginger ale doesn’t do it justice; it’s much less syrupy-sweet and more cooling. The slightly tart flavor of rhubarb pairs well with lush picnic dishes. Browse nearly a dozen more rhubarb recipes in our slideshow.
June 2006
- 3 1/2 lb fresh rhubarb stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (10 cups)
- 2 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped peeled fresh ginger
- About 2 cups sparkling water
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Bring rhubarb, cold water, sugar, and ginger to a simmer in a 4- to 5-quart pot over moderate heat, uncovered, stirring once or twice, then simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat and let steep, uncovered, 1 hour.
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Pour mixture through a large fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, gently stirring but not pressing on solids (discard solids; you will have about 6 cups syrup). Chill syrup completely, about 45 minutes.
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Serve syrup in glasses over ice with a splash of sparkling water.
Cooks’ notes:
- Syrup can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered. Add sparkling water just before serving.
- Syrup keeps, frozen, 3 months.
- Keywords
- maggie ruggiero,
- rhubarb,
- beverage,
- summer