Looking for refreshing summer mocktails? This sparkling rhubarb ginger lemonade recipe is the best. This easy homemade lemonade starts with a homemade simple syrup that adds color and zip to old fashioned lemonade. Finish it with a splash of sparkling water for a simple mocktail with attitude.
Forget those powdered drink mixes and store-bought wannabes. They can’t hold a candle to this homemade lemonade. My sparkling rhubarb ginger lemonade recipe is sweet and tart with a sparkling gingery finish and it’s the perfect summer mocktail quencher on a stifling day.
If you grew up making Kool-Aid from those 10 for $1 packets or Country Time by the pitcher full, you’ll appreciate this lemonade. I remember my Mom buying those drink mixes. We had a colored plastic pitcher that my brother and I would use to mix up our favorite coolers. Once, when my brother, Cameron, was very young — he decided to take his favorite powdered mix and eat it by the spoonful — behind a chair in the living room — on my mother’s white carpet. His favorite mix was a red dye #40 blend — and the 2 foot radius patch of carpet that he stained with that Kool-Aid never did come out. Trust me, not only do you not want to drink red dye #40 — you definitely don’t want it near your furniture and carpeting.
This flavored lemonade doesn’t have any dyes or food colorings. In fact there’s nothing artificial. The amazing color (and flavor) comes from the rhubarb ginger simple syrup and real, fresh lemons.
The ratio of sweet to sour is important in this rhubarb ginger lemonade recipe. You need three parts simple syrup to 1 part lemon juice. I add sliced strawberries to the drink as a garnish – for a riff on homemade strawberry lemonade, but this refreshing beverage actually tastes more like a tart ginger lemonade.
Instead of adding plain water to the flavored lemonade, try a sparkling water or club soda for fizz and don’t forget those slices of fresh strawberry for a summer drink blend that adults will love as much as kids. In fact, rhubarb ginger lemonade makes a great lemonade mocktail for tee-totalers.
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Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rhubarb ginger simple syrup <<< GET THE RECIPE
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 1/2 cup strawberries sliced
- 4 stalks rhubarb for garnish
Instructions
- In a pitcher combine the simple syrup, lemon juice, sparkling water and strawberries. Stir to combine. Pour into 4 ice-filled glasses and serve.
For Single Serving:
- In a glass, combine 3 ounces rhubarb ginger simple syrup, 1 ounce lemon juice, 2 ounces sparkling water and 2 sliced strawberries. Stir to combine, add ice and enjoy!
Nutrition
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I am loving the ginger in this! Ginger gives drinks that nice extra boost of flavor, and paired with the rhubarb – YUM! Great summer beverage.
What a beautiful colour! And I just happen to have all the ingredients on hand to make this one today 🙂 Perfect for summer!
I used to love those Kool Aid packets – we’d sprinkle ours on freshly fallen snow for an instant slushie. Ah, the memories! Your recipe sounds much healthier and less inclined for adverse reactions too! I’ll be trying it on my kids!
I’m always looking for new ways to use rhubarb. And this way looks so refreshing!
I’ve never had a drink like this! It sounds so delicious and refreshing – perfect for summer!
I love new drink ideas, I am going to have to give this a try. It looks amazing!
I can’t imagine a more special way to sip on lemonade! Looks perfect! Can’t wait to try 🙂