ROSEY RHUBARB VODKA

ROSY RHUBARB VODKA


I had never made this before; it has been sitting up for weeks. Remember my trip to Costco? Well, that was for the vodka.
A friend of mine swears the Kirkland Vodka is really Belvedere in a Kirkland bottle (Costco private label). He buys it, takes it home and puts it back in a Belvedere bottle where he believes it rightfully belongs, repatriating so to speak. No one really wants to see a Kirkland bottle on the bar, it just doesn't scream cocktail, or even yummy. As my friend Margo says, “I don’t care what I get for Christmas as long as it doesn’t say Kirkland on it”. But I digress, and am wandering the aisles of Costco again, attracted, yet repulsed.

I hauled the Rosé Vodkas out of their dark storage lair last weekend for a unveiling. Unsure what it would taste like, and if anyone would like it, I only filtered two liters (I had put up three gallons) for my dinner party that evening. To my surprise we drank both. Everyone was busy mixing concoctions, creating their own signature cocktails. The “Tommy” was rhubarb vodka, sparkling lemonade with a lime wedge. The "Terry" was rhubarb vodka, Cointreau and club soda with a squirt of lime. They were all refreshing and unique, perfect summer aperitifs.

I PUT UP three kinds of RV only two of which are worth repeating here. One had more rhubarb and sugar. It produced a lovely rhubarb liquor, a beautiful pink color that will appeal to everyone (except those who loathe rhubarb). The other had less sugar and a sprig of rosemary, inspired by my jam earlier in the spring. This produced a lovely pale rose hued, herbal liquor that was not the least over-powering. It tasted like spring and fresh cut grass with a hint of floral. Totally yummy!

I recommend experimenting, try two kinds, or invent one to suit your own tastes and then have a tasting with lots of mixers so everyone can make their own cocktail. I would to add a bit of orange zest in with the rosemary.
Please post your results in the comments section and let me know how it came out.



ROSEMARY RHUBARB VODKA

INGREDIENTS

2 CUPS FINELY CHOPPED RHUBARB
4 TABLESPOONS SUGAR
1 LARGE OR 2 SMALL SPRIGS ROSEMARY
8 CUPS VODKA


• Put rhubarb, sugar and rosemary into clean ½ gallon jars (I used Ball)
• Cover with vodka and seal jars
• Store in a cool dark place for six weeks
• Filter, discarding solids. Keep refrigerated

ROSE RHUBARB VODKA


INGREDIENTS

3 CUPS FINELY CHOPPED RHUBARB
6 TABELSPOONS SUGAR
8 CUPS VODKA


• Put rhubarb and sugar into clean ½ gallon jars (I used Ball)
• Cover with vodka and seal jars
• Store in a cool dark place for six weeks
• Filter, discarding solids. Keep refrigerated



NOTES:

• Purists will probably shoot me, but I did not sterilize the jars. I washed them in HOT water and figured the vodka would kill anything in there. I used Ball 1/2 gallon jars.
• I highly recommend filtering through coffee filters; this is sure to remove any solids and give you a clearer product.