March Cocktail of the Month: Rhubarb Whisky Sour

To mark the arrival of spring and the warmer weather, our March cocktail of the month is a seasonal twist on a classic whisky cocktail.

…a rhubarb whisky sour.

We’ve chosen rhubarb for this spring cocktail because it's in season throughout March, right at the peak of spring.

Rhubarb brings a tart, savoury flavour that's full of character but lacks the natural sweetness you might expect. While whisky can be bold and intense, rhubarb adds a light, fruity sharpness, making it a refreshing ingredient for springtime cocktails.

Rhubarb Sour Cocktail Ingredients:

For the Rhubarb Syrup:

• 350g fresh rhubarb, chopped

• 120ml water

• 100g sugar

• 6 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• ½ tsp rose water

For the Rhubarb Sour Cocktail:

• 60ml whisky 

• 25ml fresh lemon juice

• 30ml rhubarb syrup

• 1 egg white

• Ice cubes

To Garnish:

• Lemon slice or crushed dried rose petals

Top Tip:

Look for the reddest stalks of rhubarb you can find; this will give your cocktail a pretty pink hue. Paler stalks can make the drink look more green, but it will still taste great.

Recommended Whisky:

Bourbon: Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace for a complemented sweetness.

For a light and delicate whisky, our recommendation is Glenkinchie 12-Year-Old Lowland Malt Whisky.

Rhubarb Sour Recipe

Prepare the Rhubarb Syrup:

1. In a saucepan, combine chopped rhubarb, water, sugar, cardamom pods, vanilla bean paste and rose water.

2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb breaks down and the mixture thickens.

3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing out as much liquid as possible.

4. Transfer the syrup to a heatproof jar and let it cool.

Prepare the Cocktail:

1. In your cocktail shaker, combine your whisky, lemon juice, rhubarb syrup and egg white (if using).

2. Dry shake (without ice) for about 15 seconds to create a frothy texture.

3. Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake again until well-chilled.

4. Strain into a chilled double rocks glass filled with a large ice cube.

5. Garnish with a lemon slice or a sprinkle of crushed dried rose petals.

…Lastly all that is left is to enjoy your refreshing rhubarb cocktail. 

Perfect Your Spring Cocktail at Lochs of Whisky

We hope you try this seasonal rhubarb sour cocktail this month. It's perfect for serving at your next gathering or simply enjoying while soaking up the spring sunshine.

At Lochs of Whisky, we offer an extensive range of whiskies that will complement your cocktails. Be sure to browse our collection and feel free to contact us for recommendations or if you have any questions.