This is the year that I was able to get a full harvest out of the rhubarb that I planted. I have to say that waiting the three years to get a full harvest was a bit trying on my patience. When they were handing out virtues, patience passed me over.
I know that spring was just about here when I saw the first green leaves pushing their way out of the ground at the end of the long winter. It is a welcome sight to see the ruffled leaves pushing their way from the warming earth.
With a healthy, productive plant I was in search of innovative, creative and different ways to make use of the rhubarb, beyond a strawberry rhubarb pie.
I know that infused vodkas are very popular so I looked into a few recipes on how to make a rhubarb infused vodka and turns out, it is as easy as it looks!
Start with 2 cups of strawberries.
These happen to be frozen. Fresh works as well.
The reason that they are frozen is that I popped them into the freezer before we left for vacation. I knew that they would be ruined if I left them in the refrigerator for a week. So instead of letting my hard work go to waste, I froze them!
Go ahead and slice the strawberries to release the juices.
Up next is 1 long stalk of rhubarb that has been washed and the leaves removed. When I say 'long' I would say about 10 inches in length. If you have 2 smaller stalks, that is fine. You are looking for about 1 cup of sliced rhubarb.
Slice it across the grain to open the cell structure and allow the vodka to seep in and out of the flavor filled cavities.
Fill a quart mason jar with the 2 cups of sliced strawberries and 1 cup of sliced rhubarb.
Fill the jar with vodka and close with a lid and a ring.
Store the vodka in the refrigerator format least a week.
The lovely ruby colors of the strawberries and rhubarb will infuse into your vodka giving you a delightfully sweet, yet tart, strawberry rhubarb infused vodka.
Strain off the rhubarb and strawberries and enjoy your strawberry rhubarb infused vodka!
Sip it straight or splash a bit into ice cold lemonade for a refreshing summer cocktail.