Recipe: Rhubodka (Rhubarb Vodka)

I love experimenting with home-infused alcohol. My friends Tim and Aaron turned me on to this homemade rhubarb vodka recipe. Rhubarb is in season right now, and although I love it in pies and jams, I wanted to try it in beverage form.

This recipe is very easy to make, and my big jar of rhubodka is sitting next to the jars of Japanese plum wine I made a month ago, waiting to be ready for consumption.

Rhubodka
1 1.75-liter bottle of vodka - Tim says the bottom shelf cheap vodka is fine.
4-5 sticks of red rhubarb (not green)
1/3-1/2 cup sugar
A large jar with lid

Cut the rhubarb into 1/2" to 1" chunks.

Add everything to the jar and mix well, either by shaking the jar (if it's drip-proof) or stirring with a long-handled spoon.

Store in a cool, dark place. Shake or stir the jar daily.

The vodka will be ready in a month. Strain out the rhubarb and give it a taste test.

Rhubarb vodka can be added to:
• Tonic water
• Soda water
• Lemonade
• Lemonade & soda water
• San Pellegrino Limonata soda

(Image: Kathryn Hill Recipe: Aaron Miller with input from Tim Tate)

Comments (6)

I love the word!
I can't wait to make this just I can say Rhubodka to someone.

I made this last year to give as Christmas gifts. It was a huge hit. Oh so tasty!

I make a similar rhubarb liqueur, which I totally adore. But I use grain alcohol instead of vodka -- I think it's a better solvent, and pulls out more of the rhubarb flavor (although the name isn't nearly as fun to say).

Wow, I can't wait to try this!! How long do these infused vodkas keep?

That color is insane. The last vodka infusion I did was a pretty good celery peppercorn but i've been wanting to try a sweeter infusion. I bet Rhubodka plus a half shot of peach schnapps and a splash of club soda would be a killer summertime cocktail .

I also made rhubarb vodka this year, and with it invented the superfantastic cocktail that has since been named the "Crowd Scene":

1 oz rhubarb vodka
1 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
2 tbsp fresh-squeezed meyer lemon juice
1 dash bitters

Shake with ice, strain into a tall glass, fill with sparkling water.