Beverages

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins is a refreshing effervescent mix of rhubarb puree, whiskey, and Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda. #mothersday #brunch #spring #summer #whiskey #cocktails
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Rhubarb Whiskey Collins is a refreshing effervescent mix of rhubarb puree, whiskey, and Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda. Paired with the Rhubarb Tarts from my last post, a Rhubarb Whiskey Collins will quench any Mother’s Day thirsts you might have. Jump to Recipe

What is a Whiskey Collins?

A slightly overhead vertical shot of a highball glass filled with ice and Rhubarb Whiskey Collins.

I found myself going down the black hole of cocktail nomenclature when trying to decide whether or not to call these Whiskey Collins.

A basic Collins drink is served in a highball glass and contains liquor, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda. And then you can break them down further by the type of alcohol used. For example, I could have called this a John Collins because of the whiskey.

I had the whiskey, a simple syrup and tart element in the rhubarb puree, and then the soda.

An overhead shot of rhubarb stalks.

An overhead shot of rhubarb puree in a shot glass surrounded by a stalk of rhubarb.

But I got lost in the differences between club soda, seltzer (sparkling water), and sparkling mineral water.

  • Club soda is man-made carbonated water with added minerals
  • Seltzer or sparkling water is plain carbonated water with no added minerals and is sometimes flavored with fruit essences and oils
  • Sparkling mineral water comes from a natural spring or well and can be naturally carbonated.

A vertical shot of rhubarb puree in a shot glass, sliced rhubarb, and two glass bottles of sparkling soda.

All of this ended up not mattering because I had some Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda in my fridge that I decided to use. And it was AMAZING (this is NOT a sponsored post by the way). The rhubarb brought out even more of that apple flavor and the apple, in turn, enhanced the rhubarb.

A vertical shot of a tall glass filled three quarters of the way with a Rhubarb Whiskey Collins cocktail.

So do I still get to call it a Collins drink because I used a soda? I don’t know the rules but rules are made to be broken.

The Dry Sparkling soda is so natural and subtle tasting that I literally thought it was just water. I had no idea it was actually soda until I visited their website.

Vertical shot of a hand pouring sparkling dry soda into a tall glass filled with a Rhubarb Whiskey Collins beverage.

Now that I know the subtle differences between all the carbonated waters, the Dry Sparkling Soda reminds me of a perfect blend of club soda and sparkling water.

Vertical shot of a tall glass filled with ice and Rhubarb Whiskey Collins beverage.

A Rhubarb Cocktail Perfect for Mother’s Day Brunch

Vertical shot of three tall glasses in a line filled with Rhubarb Whiskey Collins with a straw in each.

I really tried to make this Whiskey Collins a vodka or gin drink. That’s the alcohol I associate with moms and women in general. It’s a stereotype because I know plenty of women who love their whiskey (me included), but for the most part, I think whiskey scares a lot of people.

Vertical shot of three tall glasses filled with Rhubarb Whiskey Collins cocktail with a hand pouring dry sparkling soda into one of them.

But the flavors just weren’t working with vodka and gin. And then I threw my hands up and said, “Well who cares, I’m making a whiskey drink for myself!”

Slightly angled overhead shot of a glass filled with Rhubarb Whiskey Collins.

I’m glad I gave up because now I have this Rhubarb Whiskey Collins that even my mom likes. She doesn’t really drink at all let alone anything with whiskey in it.

Overhead shot of three glasses lined up vertically filled with Rhubarb Whiskey Collins and straws.

For a perfect Mother’s Day Brunch, serve a Rhubarb Whiskey Collins with these Rhubarb Tarts.

Overhead shot of six tarts surrounded by forks, flowers, and two Rhubarb Whiskey Collins drinks.

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins is a refreshing effervescent mix of rhubarb puree, whiskey, and Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda. #mothersday #brunch #spring #summer #whiskey #cocktails
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Rhubarb Whiskey Collins

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins is a refreshing effervescent mix of rhubarb puree, whiskey, and Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda.
Course Beverages
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings 3 drinks
Author Megan Wells

Ingredients

Rhubarb Puree

  • 2 stalks rhubarb about 2 cups sliced
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins

Instructions

Rhubarb Puree

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the rhubarb is submerged in its juices and the liquid is bubbling over.  

  2. Pour into a food processor or blender and mix until smooth. 

  3. Strain into an airtight container. Makes about 1 cup. 

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins

  1. Add the whiskey and rhubarb puree to a cocktail mixer and add ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is frosty. 

  2. Pour everything (including the ice) into a highball glass (a tall 10 to 12-ounce glass) filled with fresh ice. Pour the Fuji Apple Dry Sparkling Soda over everything and serve with straws. 

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins is a refreshing effervescent mix of rhubarb puree, whiskey, and Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda. #mothersday #brunch #spring #summer #whiskey #cocktails</div/

Rhubarb Whiskey Collins is a refreshing effervescent mix of rhubarb puree, whiskey, and Dry Sparkling Fuji Apple Soda. #mothersday #brunch #spring #summer #whiskey #cocktails</div/

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  • And now on to the shrubs! Besides the gin, these are the most essential part of the #diyginbar. They add so much flavor to simple cocktails and they make excellent mocktails-no more feeling like your drink is an afterthought if you aren't partaking. ⠀ This Strawberry Shrub with Basil and Peppercorn is probably my family's favorite. You can also use pink peppercorns (which aren't really peppercorns btw). ⠀ ⠀ Ingredients⠀ 1 cup sugar⠀ 1 cup water⠀ 2 cups sliced strawberries⠀ 10 basil leaves⠀ 2 teaspoons black peppercorns (or pink peppercorns)⠀ 1 cup red wine vinegar⠀ ⠀ Instructions⠀ Add the sugar, water, strawberries, basil, and peppercorns together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Use a muddler to crush the ingredients together until the basil looks bruised and is fragrant. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.⠀ ⠀ Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the syrup has become the color of the fruit and the fruit has lost its vibrancy.⠀ ⠀ Add the red wine vinegar and bring the mixture back to a simmer (about 5 to 8 minutes)⠀ ⠀ Strain using a fine-meshed sieve covered with one layer of cheesecloth.⠀ ⠀ Pour into a jar and keep it in the fridge.⠀ ⠀ You can make the shrubs 6 to 8 weeks in advance of your DIY Gin Bar 🙌⠀ ⠀ ⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ #cocktailparty #shrubcocktails #diymocktailbar #thefeedfeed #imbibegram #meganwellsphotography #megiswell #saveur #foodwinewomen #imsomartha #foodblogeats #sunsetmagazine #bareaders #mywilliamssonoma #inmykitchen #realsimple #bhgfood #craftcocktail #farmtoglass #farmersmarketfinds #foodbloger #thenewhealthy #eatingwelleats #todayfood #foodphotograph #ginstagram #ginoclock #bonapetit #marthafood
  • The fifth infused sugar I'll be using in the #diyginbar is this Lemon and Lavender Infused Sugar, which has a sweet floral and lemon fresh fragrance that tastes amazing!⠀ ⠀ Click on the link in my profile @megiswell to print the recipe or hit save to come back to it later!⠀ ⠀ Ingredients⠀ 1/2 tablespoon dried lavender culinary⠀ 1 cup sugar⠀ 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon zest*⠀ ⠀ Instructions⠀ Put the lavender in a food processor and pulse until it is chopped into fine pieces.⠀ ⠀ Add the sugar and lemon zest and pulse until combined.⠀ ⠀ Lay the sugar out on a baking sheet to dry out before storing in an airtight container.⠀ ⠀ Recipe Notes⠀ You can also use regular lemon zest if you can’t get a hold of any Meyer lemons.⠀ ⠀ I have one shrub for each day next week so get excited! ⠀ ⠀ #diymocktailbar #springbaking #saveurmag #bakeandshare #bakersgonnabake #bakefromscratch #thebakefeed #thefeedfeedbaking #sweetcuisines #thesugarfiles #marthabakes #thefeedfeed #f52food #shareyourtable #imsomartha #foodblogfeed #eattheworld #bakeit #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #wprecipemaker #bhgfood #mycommontable #bareaders #rslove #megiswell #meganwellsphotography #eattheseasons

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