Sparkling Rhubarb Lemonade

By darusts

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups water
• 5 cups chopped rhubarb, fresh or frozen (20 ounces)
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 3 - inch strips lemon zest
• 3 sprigs fresh mint
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 cups lemon-lime soda or sparkling water

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from food52.com

Preparation

Step 1

HOW: Make a rhubarb-lemon simple syrup, and then add lemon juice and sparkling water.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This lemonade has just enough bubbles and brightness to make it truly refreshing. The flavor actually deepens after a day or two—so add sparkling water when you're ready to drink. As TheRunawaySpoon says, a shot of rum or gin would make this the perfect spring cocktail.

In a saucepan, stir together the water, the rhubarb pieces, the sugar, the lemon zest and the mint. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Let the rhubarb mixture cool, the strain it through a wire-mesh strainer set over a large pitcher. Press on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids

Stir in the lemon juice and soda. Serve over ice, garnished with a sprig of mint.