Strawberry Rhubarb Mojitos

Strawberries and rhubarb are ripe and ready to pick now. Our rhubarb plants are just exploding with large stalks in the gardens. With so much rhubarb, I decided to bake my mother’s favorite strawberry rhubarb cake which I’ll share in another post. But I couldn’t resist whipping up a batch of fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Mojitos!

With all of the rain we’ve had this winter in the Carolina’s, the rhubarb came up in a bumper crop! Freezing most of this will most likely happen!

Before I get to the recipe, I just had to share the natural beauty of rhubarb that I captured in some photos. I’m just amazed at the vivid reds of rhubarb stalks!

I always take my woven gathering basket with me into the gardens to harvest freshly picked rhubarb and veggies. Remember that the leaves are poisonous and need to be cut off.

With leaves removed, the rhubarb stalks are ready to wash and chop up.

Strawberries are ripe at the same time as rhubarb. Which is perfect timing for delicious recipes that combine the two! Strawberries are simply beautiful when perfectly ripe. The dimpled red surface is just glistening in bright crimson reds!

Notes on Rhubarb

• Again, do NOT use the poisonous leaves of rhubarb; so cut them off the stalks and throw away.
• Rhubarb is loaded with Calcium and Vitamin C, and antioxidants.
• It’s technically a vegetable, but rhubarb is always treated as a fruit in sweet recipes.
• Spring and summer are the only times when rhubarb is in season. However, frozen rhubarb can be found year-round.
• Rhubarb stalks grow in various shades of green, pink and red. There’s not a lot of difference in flavor, although some cooks say that the green stalks are milder in flavor.
• Keep rhubarb wrapped in plastic wrap or bag and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• It is not necessary to remove the outer skin of rhubarb.
• Rhubarb makes great sauces and chutneys!

So let’s talk about Mojitos, shall we?

One of the most popular cocktails in the entire world is the Mojito. And with in-season strawberries and rhubarb, they are so refreshing and DELICIOUS! Beautiful too!

Making Mojitos requires precision. You just can’t add ingredients randomly. Rather, there is a ‘process’ that has to be followed so that you’ll be able to taste every single layer of flavors.

The famous foundation of a classic Mojito consists of rum, lime, mint, simple sugar syrup, ice and club soda water . . . and always served in a tall, highball glass.

Tips for Making The Perfect Mojito

Recipes vary but for one (1) mojito cocktail use 1- 1/2 oz. white rum, 1/2 – 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 teaspoons sugar or ¾ oz. simple syrup, 7-8 fresh mint leaves, 1-1/2 oz. club soda.

• The key to a classic Mojito is BALANCE: You want to be able to taste each element, with each working in harmony.
• Always tall, glasses.
• Use simple syrup for a clean, consistent finish (Use 1:1 formula of equal parts water and sugar).
• Never tear the mint leaves.
• Using only FRESH squeezed lime juice is KEY . . . and nothing from a bottle.
• Use half of a lime as a shield over the mint on the bottom of each glass. “Muddle” by applying pressure to the lime four times, making sure to keep the lime over the mint as protection.
• Do NOT over muddle either the mint. You only want to extract the mint oil enough to get the mint’s aroma.
• Do NOT use gold or brown rum which will alter the flavor.
• Do NOT use light brown or turbinado sugar either which discolors the cocktail.
• STIR – do NOT shake. Stir gently just a few times to try not to beat the mint up.
• Do use crushed ice in your mojitos. Crushed ice melts faster, which is a good thing in this strong-flavored drink and the extra surface area of crushed ice lends to a colder mojito.
• Don’t use poor quality rum which results in a boring, sweet-lime drink. Use a rum that you could drink straight up or use flavored rums that enhance the cocktail.

So let’s get to the Strawberry Rhubarb Mojito recipe!

Ingredients for Strawberry Rhubarb Mojitos

• Fresh, ripe strawberries
• Fresh or frozen rhubarb stalks
• Raspberry-flavored rum
• Lemon-flavored rum
• Club soda
• Sugar
• Fresh mint
• Lime

Cheers, my friends! You’ll want to pin this recipe for sure!

Things I Recommend to Make Mojitos:

Cocktail Muddler & Mixing Spoon

Glass Pitcher with 6 Highball Glasses

Biodegradeable Red & White Striped Straws

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