Rhubarb Parsley Syrup

Makes 4 (half-pints/250 ml) jars

 

11/2/ pounds/680 g rhubarb stalks, roughly chopped

3 cups/710 ml filtered water

1/2 cup packed parsley leaves and stems

11/2 cups/510 g honey

2 T. bottled lemon juice

 

Prepare a boiling water bath and 4 half-pint/250 ml jars.  Combine chopped rhubarb, parsley, and filtered water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes until the parsley has wilted and the rhubarb is soft enough to be easily mashed with a wooden spoon. Place a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl and strain the rhubarb and its juice through the sieve. Let it drip undisturbed. Do your best to resist the urge to press the pulp to help it release its liquid as this will result in cloudy syrup.   Return the strained juice to the pan. Add the honey and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Skim any foam that appears on the top.  Pour the hot syrup into the prepared jars, leaving a 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims, apply the lids and rings, and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.

 

• Rhubarb Soda: Mix it with sparkling water or club soda for a refreshing drink. A suggested ratio is one part syrup to three parts club soda.
• Cocktails and Mocktails:
  • Rhubarb Margarita: Replace the usual simple syrup in a margarita recipe with rhubarb parsley syrup.
  • Rhubarb Bellini: Use the syrup as a substitute for peach puree in a Bellini, adding sparkling wine like Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava.
  • French 75: Swap out the strawberry puree with rhubarb syrup in a French 75 cocktail.
  • Gin and Tonic: Add a splash of rhubarb parsley syrup to your gin and tonic for a unique twist.
  • Other Cocktails: Experiment with substituting the syrup in your favorite cocktails that typically use simple syrup.
• Other Drinks:
  • Stir it into fresh-squeezed lemonade.
  • Flavor iced tea with it.
  • Create Italian sodas by mixing with club soda. 

• Desserts:
  • Drizzle over vanilla ice cream or yogurt.
  • Pour it over cakes to add moisture and flavor.
  • Drizzle over pancakes or waffles.
  • Enhance whipped cream and crepes with a drizzle.
  • Add to fruit salad for color and flavor.
• Breakfast:
  • Drizzle over oatmeal.
  • Top pancakes or waffles.
• Other:
  • Drizzle over fresh cut fruits.