Rhubarb & Mint Aronia-ade

Prep Time:  10 minutes

     Cook Time:  3 minutes

     Serves:  6

Try it with sparkling water for a bubbly refresher, or mix with gin for a gorgeous herbal cocktail that will turn heads.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup aronia berries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb (fresh or frozen) (*see suggestion)
  • ¼ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
  • 3 Tbsp. honey (or more or less, to taste)
  • 3 cups water (still or sparkling)
  • Optional: Your favorite gin (*see suggestion)

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring aronia berries and rhubarb to simmer with 2 cups of water. Simmer for about 3 minutes, turn off heat and add mint. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
  2. While still hot, transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and puree.
  3. Pour the honey into a heat-proof bowl or pitcher. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer into the bowl or pitcher, pushing as much liquid out of the pulp as you can with the back of a large spoon. (Save pulp to add to smoothies, applesauce, or quick breads, if you wish). Stir to dissolve honey.
  4. Add 3 cups (more or less, to taste) of cold water (still or sparkling) and serve over ice. Garnish with fresh mint and a lemon or lime wedge.

Notes

Suggestions For a refreshing summer cocktail, add 1.5 oz. gin to 4 oz. of aronia-ade, mix with ice and serve garnished with a mint sprig and a piece of rhubarb. Add sparkling water if desired. If you want to make aronia-ade without rhubarb, replace it with an additional 1 cup aronia berries and add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with the cold water at the end.