Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail

May 20, 2016
Drinks,Recipes

You might say I’m getting old, but I’ve been particularly fond of low-alcohol cocktails of late. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a stiff drink at the end of a long day. It’s just that if I’m sipping low-proof libations, I can indulge in more than just one. Needless to say, when I read about these fennel rhubarb cocktail pitchers from Outerlands in a recent version of Bon Appétit, I was on board and ready to ride.

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail | HonestlyYUM (honestlyyum.com)

Outerlands takes the time to infuse their vermouth with the fennel in advance. It takes 48 hours, is super simple, and worth the wait. I suggest you give their version a go if (unlike me) you can plan in advance, and/or are looking for a larger batch of cocktails – their recipe serves eight. Instead, I wanted to come up with a way to achieve a similar fennel flavor, just a bit quicker. I went ahead and used the fennel bulb in addition to the rhubarb in the syrup. Also, garnishing with a big fresh fennel frond also helps pull out those lovely aromatics as you sip. This recipe is for one cocktail, but I might just have to make myself a couple extra . . .

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail | HonestlyYUM (honestlyyum.com)

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail | HonestlyYUM (honestlyyum.com)

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail | HonestlyYUM (honestlyyum.com)

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail | HonestlyYUM (honestlyyum.com)

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail | HonestlyYUM (honestlyyum.com)

Rhubarb, Fennel & Vermouth Cocktail

The brightness of rhubarb is complemented nicely by fennel in a homemade syrup in this light and flavorful vermouth cocktail.
Servings: 1 cocktail

INGREDIENTS

For the cocktail

For the rhubarb fennel syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

For the rhubarb fennel syrup

  1. Add the sugar, water, rhubarb, fennel and orange zest to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until syrup thickens slightly and rhubarb starts to soften and break down (~15 minutes).
  2. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon to push on the rhubarb and fennel to extract any remaining liquid from the pulp. Let cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

For the cocktail

  1. Add the lemon juice, rhubarb fennel syrup, gin, salt, and vermouth to a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain over new ice into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a fennel frond and a rhubarb ribbon. (note: a vegetable peeler works well for making nice long rhubarb ribbons).

(images by HonestlyYUM; recipe adapted from Bon Appétit)

Conversation

This cocktail is delightful! I’ve made it a couple of times and found I prefer the flavors better when taking the time to infused the fennel in the vermouth beforehand. Like you said it’s a great low-alcohol drink, great for lazy afternoon day drinking. Thanks for sharing the recipe and your lovely photos.

Aww, thanks Karen! You made my day!! <3 <3 <3 Glad you enjoy it. I think it's time I revisit it as well, while it's still rhubarb season.

I love your ideas. I too have been playing with some summer cocktails from our Tea lineI thought you might be able to embellish it a bit more.
I take our “indian Summer” Tea which is an Apricot, Peach Mango black tea and brew it strong.
Then add Ginger ale
and Peach schnapps.
Then freeze a can of peaches or those mixed fruit cups for ice.
Its sweet but still refreshing, not like soda sweet.
Love your articles and the pictures are amazing.

What the what. These are too pretty for words! Also, I’m obsessed with vermouth – a truly under-appreciated spirit, IMO. Want one of these!!

I’m pretty sure this is one of the prettiest cocktails I’ve ever seen. Just looking at the pics makes my heart pitter patter. I’m obsessed with that rhubarb garnish too!

I *LOVE* rhubarb. It’s an underrated…vegetable? Fruit? I don’t know how to classify it, but I love it in pie, preserves and now, apparently, cocktails. As always Todd, your photos are as sublime as the drink itself. Well done and yes please, I’ll take a few.

He done did it again! What a drink. His photographs are absolutely stunning

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