Rhubarb Slush
9 Comments
Posted: 05/02/24
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Cool off this summer with a refreshing rhubarb slush! Made with fresh rhubarb, sugar, and lemon juice, this easy recipe is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
This rhubarb slush is one of my favorite ways to use fresh rhubarb and one of my favorite drink recipes! The tang from rhubarb and lemonade is complimented with the perfect balance of sweetness. What I love about this drink is that you can make it with vodka for a fun summer cocktail or leave it out for a refreshing mocktail.
The jello in this recipe gives the slush a really great texture. It adds flavor but the gelatin also gives the slushy some body so it’s not watery. It’s like a cross between jello and a popsicle but served in a glass so you can scoop it up or slurp it up with a straw. Scoop up a glass full of this summer slush recipe today!
What Is A Rhubarb Slush?
It’s a super refreshing summer drink that combines tart fresh rhubarb with sweet pink lemonade, strawberry jello, and lemon-lime soda. Once combined, you freeze it and then serve it as a cold slushy drink.
Why You Should Make Easy Rhubarb Slush!
- If you want a fun summer cocktail or mocktail for parties, this rhubarb slush is a great one! It’s such a fun drink and is so good on a hot summer day.
- This is a wonderful make-ahead recipe. In fact, you actually need to make it ahead of time so that it has time to freeze. It’s a great way to save on prep time the next day!
- You can add alcohol to this drink or leave it out. It can be both a family friendly drink or a fun boozy slush!
Ingredients Needed for Rhubarb Slush
- Rhubarb – You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb for this recipe.
- Water – Use some water to cook the rhubarb down and get a flavorful liquid to use in this rhubarb slush recipe.
- Granulated white sugar – Sweeten this slushie with a bit of white sugar. Feel free to use an alternative sweetener, like agave, if you want to make this without sugar!
- Lemon juice – I just used the bottled lemon juice that you can find at a grocery store, but fresh lemon juice works even better.
- Strawberry Jell-O mix – This gives your rhubarb slush the perfect texture and adds so much flavor!
- Frozen pink lemonade concentrate – You don’t have to thaw this first, just toss it in with the other ingredient.s
- Vodka – This is optional but it makes for such a fun adult drink.
- Sprite, 7-Up or other lemon-lime soda – Make your slush bubbly and extra refreshing with a good lemon-lime soda.
Products Needed
How to Make Rhubarb Slush with Vodka
Make the rhubarb juice: Place the rhubarb in a large saucepan. Pour the water in the pan and bring it to a boil. Simmer the rhubarb until it’s softened. Strain the liquid into a large bowl.
Mix: Add the sugar, lemon juice, jello mix, lemonade concentrate, and vodka if using it. Stir to combine.
Freeze: Cover the bowl and freeze the mixture overnight.
Serve! Stir to break up the frozen slush and scoop it into glasses or cups. Top it with lemon lime soda to add some fizz.
What does it taste like?
This strawberry rhubarb slush drink is tangy, sweet, and a little sour! Rhubarb is very sour when it’s raw, but cooking it first and using the juice dampens that sour flavor. The sugar balances it out even more and the lemonade adds a sweet tartness.
This combination makes this icy cold slushy so delicious and refreshing!
So happy I found this recipe! I have a bunch of rhubarb and this was exactly what I was looking for!
Do I need to thaw frozen rhubarb?
It is not necessary to thaw frozen rhubarb before using it in this recipe. However, you will need to chop it up before cooking it down. So make sure it’s not frozen so solid that it cannot be cut.
How long does rhubarb slush keep?
Frozen rhubarb slush will keep in the freezer for several months! For the best results, store it in an airtight container in the coldest part of the freezer.
Variations
A classic rhubarb slush is made with rhubarb, lemonade, strawberry jello, and lemon-lime soda but I have some ideas if you want to switch it up!
- You can make it with or without alcohol!
- If you make it with alcohol, try swapping the vodka for white rum.
- Instead of lemon-lime soda try ginger ale or ginger beer.
- Any fruity jello mix will work, too!
Pro Tips for the Best Rhubarb Slush
- Feel free to add more sweetener! Rhubarb can be pretty tart, so sweeten to taste as needed.
- While frozen rhubarb does work in this recipe, I recommend using fresh when you can. The flavor is just so much better!
- To keep this slushy super cold and icy, store it in the coldest part of your freezer, away from the door.
You are going to love this rhubarb slush – make it for all your summer parties, pool days, and BBQs and it will be a hit! It’s so refreshing – a perfect summer treat. Enjoy!
More Refreshing Summer Drinks
- Jell-O Shots are always a fun summer party treat!
- For a fun drink, try a Dirty Shirley! It’s a grown-up twist on a classic Shirley Temple.
- We love to sip on a Blackberry Mojito or Strawberry Mojito for a warm summer night!
- Make some Homemade Slushies for all of your pool parities and summer eveys
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Rhubarb Slush
Easy Rhubarb slush is the perfect summer treat that can be made alcoholic or nonalcoholic!
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped rhubarb fresh or frozen
- 8 cups water
- 3 cups granulated white sugar
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 3 ounces strawberry Jell-O
- 12 ounces frozen pink lemonade concentrate
- 2 cups vodka optional
- 2 liter lemon lime soda
Instructions
- In a large saucepan combine rhubarb and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until softened.
- Strain liquid into a large bowl or ice cream pail.
- Add sugar, lemon juice, strawberry Jell-O powder and pink lemonade concentrate to liquid mixture and vodka if desired. Stir until combined.
- Cover the bowl and freeze overnight.
- Remove from the freezer when ready to serve and stir to loosen.
- Scoop into cups and pour the desired amount of lemon lime soda over the top.
Tips
Frozen rhubarb slush will keep in the freezer for several months! For the best results, store it in an airtight container in the coldest part of the freezer.
- You can make it with or without alcohol!
- If you make it with alcohol, try swapping the vodka for white rum.
- Instead of lemon-lime soda try ginger ale or ginger beer.
- Any fruity jello mix will work, too!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 341kcal (17%), Carbohydrates: 69g (23%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 48mg (2%), Potassium: 202mg (6%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 65g (72%), Vitamin A: 63IU (1%), Vitamin C: 11mg (13%), Calcium: 61mg (6%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Joan McKim says
When ready to serve, what is the ratio of slushie to soda that you recommend?
Sarah Hill says
That’s up to how slushy you’d like it! I typically mix it close to 2/3 slush and 1/3 soda.
Margaret says
Question: I canned rhubarb juice concentrate (supposed to mix 1/2 with 1/2 water, then add booze and 7-up or whatever. Any estimates on how much volume the rhubarb in this recipe is? Before adding the other ingredients? TIAz…looks great!
Lilah says
What role does the jello play in this recipe?
Sarah Hill says
This gives your rhubarb slush the perfect texture and adds so much flavor!
Sara F says
So happy I found this recipe! I have a bunch of rhubarb and this was exactly what I was looking for!
wilhelmina says
Rhubarb is such a great summer flavor! I loved this refreshing slush and will be making it again every- time I have rhubarb!
Gail says
Ohhh, I wish I still lived in MN! The only rhubarb here in the freezer section of the grocery store! Even then it is hard to find if they have it at all!
Julie Evink says
I used frozen to make this in a pinch and it was still delicious!