The Best Strawberry Rhubarb Soda (5 Ingredients)
This strawberry rhubarb soda is the absolute best fruity drink you’ll make all summer. It has a gorgeous pink color and a sweet-tart flavor that looks fancy but is secretly easy.
The best part? There is no waiting around for a pitcher to chill. Instead, you just make a quick, hot fruit syrup on the stove, strain it, and pour it straight over a glass packed with ice to flash-chill it instantly.
From there, just top it off with cold seltzer. It’s fast, incredibly bubbly, and so pretty.
What You’ll Need to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Soda
- Fresh or frozen Rhubarb: Chopped up into small pieces. It gives the soda that signature, ultra-refreshing tart bite.
- Strawberries: Sweet, juicy, and ripe. They balance out the rhubarb and give the drink its beautiful pink color.
- Sugar: Just plain white granulated sugar to sweeten things up and create the perfect instant fruit syrup.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens up all the flavors and makes them pop.
- Seltzer Water (or Sparkling Spring Water): For that crisp, clean, ice-cold fizz to finish it off.
Seltzer vs. Sparkling Water: What’s Best?
You can use either seltzer or sparkling spring water for this recipe, but there is a tiny difference in the bubbles.
Standard seltzer gives you a sharp, hard fizz with a completely neutral taste, letting our sweet-tart fruit syrup take center stage. On the other hand, sparkling spring water has naturally occurring minerals that create smaller, smoother bubbles for a softer mouthfeel.
The verdict? Grab a classic seltzer if you want that crisp, aggressive soda bite, or stick with sparkling water if you want something a bit more mellow. Either way, both taste amazing!
Easy Variations & Tips:
This strawberry rhubarb recipe is super easy to tweak. However, If you don’t have seltzer, just swap it out for a good lemon soda or ginger ale instead.
Also, if you run out of berries, you’re fine. You can eliminate strawberries from the base. Just use extra rhubarb instead for a classic, tart rhubarb drink that’s just as refreshing.
How to Make a Strawberry Rhubarb Cocktail
This also makes the best happy hour base. Turning this into a stunning strawberry rhubarb cocktail is incredibly easy.
To booze it up, just add a shot of your favorite liquor over the ice before you pour the bubbles. Vodka or gin pairs perfectly with the sweet-tart fruit, while white rum adds a great tropical twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen fruit for this recipe?
Yes! Frozen rhubarb and strawberries work perfectly. Don’t bother thawing them, just throw them right into the pot.
How long will the leftover syrup keep in the fridge?
Keep it in a jar in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to two weeks, so you can make instant sodas anytime.
Can I make this strawberry rhubarb drink entirely sugar-free?
Yep. You can easily use Stevia or monk fruit. Just check the package for the right conversion ratio to match the sugar.
The Ultimate Strawberry Rhubarb Lemon Soda Just 5 Ingredients
Equipment
- 1 Mesh Strainer https://amzn.to/4vv6RUR
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups rhubarb chopped
- 2 ½ cups fresh strawberries sliced
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice from about 6 to 8 lemons
- 4 cups seltzer water chilled, about 1 qt of seltzer water *see notes
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Cook the fruit: In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fruit is completely soft and broken down.
- Mash and strain: Remove the pan from the heat. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or large measuring cup, pressing firmly on the fruit solids to squeeze out all the syrup. Discard the pulp (or save it for topping yogurt).
- Build the drinks instantly: Fill glasses with ice. For each drink, pour 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the syrup over the ice, depending on your preferred sweetness intensity. Top with cold seltzer water, stir gently from the bottom up, and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Tips for the Best Strawberry Rhubarb Soda
- Why Seltzer Wins: I use regular plain seltzer because it’s cheap, easy to find, and gives that sharp, classic soda fizz. Its neutral taste lets our sweet-tart fruit flavor take center stage without anything getting in the way.
- Adjusting Sweetness: This recipe is designed for a balanced, refreshing soda. If you prefer a stronger flavor, feel free to increase the syrup to 1/2 cup per glass. For a lighter, more subtle drink, start with 1/4 cup and adjust to taste.
- The Big-Batch Pitcher Tweak: Just double or triple the recipe and stir the syrup into a large pitcher with cold seltzer right before guests arrive. Don’t add ice directly to the pitcher or it will water the whole drink down. Just pack individual glasses with ice and pour the soda over the top.
- Quick Rhubarb Prep: Slice your rhubarb into uniform, thin half-inch pieces. The smaller and more even they are, the faster they break down and release their gorgeous pink juices on the stove, maximizing flavor in half the time!
More Unique Rhubarb Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve got extra rhubarb to use up, here are a few more reader favorites:
- Rhubarb BBQ Sauce – Sweet, tangy, and perfect for chicken, salmon, pork, and burgers.
- Rhubarb BBQ Chicken – Sticky, smoky, and packed with flavor.
- Rhubarb Salmon – A sweet-and-savory dinner that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Sides to make With Strawberry Rhubarb Soda
This refreshing drink pairs surprisingly well with savory favorites like:
