Rhubarbade and Strawberry-Rhubarbade – Easy Rhubarb Drink Recipes
Rhubarbade and strawberry rhubarbade are two versions of “rhubarb lemonade” style rhubarb drink recipes. They’re easy to make, and work fairly well as sugar free drinks when you sweeten with liquid stevia.
This recipe is adapted from the cookbook From Asparagus to Zucchini.
It’s one of my “go to” recipe books when fresh produce is in abundance, along with The Garden-Fresh Vegetable Cookbook and Too Many Tomatoes, Squash, Beans, and Other Good Things: A Cookbook for When Your Garden Explodes.
From Asparagus to Zucchini also gives storage and cooking tips, as well as background information on the produce. It was created by the Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition.
Remember – rhubarb leaves contain unsafe levels of oxalic, so trim them off and leave them in the garden as mulch around your plants.
Rhubarbade “Rhubarb Lemonade” Drink Recipe
Do you have an abundance of fresh rhubarb, or maybe some leftover rhubarb in the freezer? Here’s a quick and easy way to use up extra rhubarb and get in some of those rhubarb health benefits.
Ingredients
- Rhubarb stems, fresh or frozen
- Sugar or liquid stevia
- water
Directions
Puree rhubarb in food processor, blender or electric juicer. (I used my Vitamix)
Strain through cheesecloth-lined strainer or fine mesh strainer, pressing solids. I used my Nylon kefir grain strainer. A Jelly Strainer would work well, too.
Let stand several minutes, then skim froth from surface, if desired.
Note: When I used frozen rhubarb, I didn’t get any froth. It’s up to you how much you strain.
This year we used our juicer and fresh rhubarb, and it was frothy, but we don’t really care, so no skimming here.
For every two cups rhubarb liquid add 3/4-1 cup sugar or 3/4 to 1 teaspoon liquid stevia extract and 6 cups water. You may also use lemon flavored stevia extract. Serve chilled.
For every two cups rhubarb liquid, yield is 2 quarts. If you prefer to use honey, dissolve it in warm water before mixing with the juice. I’d recommend 2/3 – 3/4 cup per two cups rhubarb juice.
Would you like to save this?
The boys said they would drink it, even though they don’t normally like rhubarb. Husband said he thought it was good and tasted like apples.
I think it’s pretty tasty, and it’s a great way to use up freezer rhubarb, which tends to be a little stringy in recipes.
Strawberry-Rhubarbade Rhubarb Drink
Plain rhubarb lemonade tends to be a little pale (like lemonade), I thought I’d add a little color with some strawberries we had in the freezer. Yummy!
We juiced around a cup of thawed strawberries and then continued with rhubarb to get two cups of juice total, and it was delicious! We’ve also used tart cherries and are planning to try raspberries.
The little punch of extra color and flavor really takes this drink to the next level.
Somehow the strawberry-rhubarb combo tastes more like fresh strawberries than the strawberries do on their own. It’s great!
Is Rhubarb Healthy?
Rhubarb has vitamin C, vitamin K, B-complex vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, and pantothenic acid (source), and small amounts of poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds like ß-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein.
It may help prevent cancer, improve circulation, build bones and act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. (Read the details here.)
Note: My eldest will actually eat rhubarb stalks straight (he likes the tartness), so he uses a stalk to stir his drink. 🙂
PrintRhubarbade and Strawberry-Rhubarbade – Easy Rhubarb Drink Recipes
Rhubarbade and strawberry rhubarbade are two versions of “rhubarb lemonade” style rhubarb drink recipes. They’re easy to make, and work fairly well as sugar free drinks when you sweeten with liquid stevia.
Ingredients
- Rhubarb stems, fresh or frozen
- Sugar or liquid stevia
- water
Instructions
- Puree rhubarb in food processor, blender or electric juicer.
- Strain through cheesecloth-lined strainer or fine mesh strainer, pressing solids.
- I used my nylon kefir grain strainer. A jelly bag would work well, too.
- Let stand several minutes, then skim froth from surface, if desired.
- It’s up to you how much you strain.
- For every two cups rhubarb liquid add 3/4-1 cup sugar or 3/4 to 1 teaspoon liquid stevia extract and 6 cups water.
- You may also use lemon flavored stevia extract.
- Serve chilled. For every two cups rhubarb liquid, yield is 2 quarts.
Notes
If you prefer to use honey, dissolve it in warm water before mixing with the juice. I’d recommend 2/3 – 3/4 cup per two cups rhubarb juice.
If you’re looking for a rhubarb drink recipe with a little more kick, try rhubarb cherry wine.
You may also enjoy our rhubarb growing guide and:
- Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble
- Rhubarb Pudding Cake
- Rhuberry Spread
- Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
- Rhubarb Sauces for Canning – Savory and Sweet
Originally published in 2014, updated in 2018.