National Rhubarb Vodka Day is celebrated every first Saturday of December and takes place on December 3 this year. This has been a day of celebration for cocktail enthusiasts who enjoy rhubarb’s acidity when mixed with vodka — combining vodka with rhubarb results in a sweet, tart flavor and the brightest tint of pink. Maple River Distillery launched it in the U.S. The company launched this beverage for its customers to celebrate their love for rhubarb and vodka. It was named after a locally grown rhubarb plant and raises awareness about this plant’s benefits as a medicinal herb.
History of National Rhubarb Vodka Day
The cocktail comprises equal parts of vodka and rhubarb syrup and is garnished with lemon peel. The syrup is made using sugar, water, and chopped rhubarb stalks, giving it its signature pink color.Rhubarb is a vegetable that is popularly used to make jams and jellies. The leaves are poisonous, but they can be eaten safely if cooked properly. Rhubarb is a plant that belongs to the family Rosaceae and is native to China and Siberia. The plant has red stalks with green leaves and can grow up to three feet. The tartness of rhubarb makes it an excellent ingredient for many drinks, including cocktails, liqueurs, jellies, and baked goods like pies, tarts, and compotes.The rhubarb flavor can be described as sweet-tart or sour and is often considered an acquired taste because it tastes like a combination of strawberry and apple pie. Rhubarb has been used for centuries to treat respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis and stomach ailments such as diarrhea and constipation.The rhubarb vodka has a sweet taste from its sugar content and an earthy flavor from its rhubarb infusion. It can be enjoyed neat, on ice, or in a cocktail like Moscow Mule or Bloody Mary. National Rhubarb Vodka Day has been celebrated every first Saturday of December since 2013. This has been a day of celebration for cocktail enthusiasts who enjoy rhubarb’s acidity when combined with vodka. Maple River Distillery introduced this combination in 2010 in the U.S.
National Rhubarb Vodka Day timeline
A monk named Isidore from Chudov Monastery inside the Moscow Kremlin makes a recipe for the first Russian vodka.
John Bartram grows medicinal and culinary rhubarb in Philadelphia
Queen Victoria ascends the throne in England and a new variety of rhubarb is introduced.
Rhubarb Vodka is introduced in the United States of America by Maple River Distillery
National Rhubarb Vodka Day FAQs
What mixer do you put with rhubarb vodka?
Pour rhubarb vodka over chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine and combine it with sugar, water, and lemon juice to produce a delectable effervescent concoction.
Is rhubarb vodka good?
Combining vodka with rhubarb results in a sweet, tart flavor and the brightest tint of pink. Try it with sparkling wine or tonic, or enjoy it straight or in cocktails.
What does rhubarb vodka taste like?
It has a sweet rhubarb aroma that is unique and distinct. Rhubarb, for example, may be overbearing, but not here. It also has a touch of vanilla cream.
National Rhubarb Vodka Day Activities
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Make your vodka with fresh rhubarb
You can make your rhubarb vodka by adding whole rhubarb stalks or chunks of rhubarb into the bottle along with sugar and yeast, or you can macerate fresh rhubarb in sugar water overnight before steeping it in vodka, or you can make simple syrup by simmering equal parts of sugar and water until dissolved, then adding sliced fresh rhubarb for a few hours before straining out solids.
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Host a party
Host an outdoor party at your house or garden to enjoy summertime fun! You can use rhubarb vodka as an ingredient in some of your favorite summer drinks, such as sangria or punch bowls with fruit salad
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Cook with rhubarb vodka
If you're not ready to drink rhubarb vodka, there are plenty of other ways to use it around your home! You can use it in sauces or marinades for meat dishes, like beef stew or chicken wings. You can also use it to enhance desserts like cheesecakes by mixing it into the mixture.
5 Surprising Facts About Vodka
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It’s from a Slavic word
Vodka is derived from the Slavic word 'voda,' which means water.
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What vodka is made from
Most vodkas are distilled from grains, potatoes, or sugar beets, but some are also made from rye.
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Most widely consumed
Vodka is the world's most widely consumed spirit drink, with about 38 billion gallons worldwide.
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Drinking vodka in Poland
In Poland, vodka is often drunk with pickled cucumbers or apple juice.
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It contains 40% alcohol
Vodka contains 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof), which makes it stronger than wine and beer but weaker than whiskey or brandy.
Why We Love National Rhubarb Vodka Day
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It raises awareness
The day is celebrated to raise awareness about rhubarb's uses and benefits. It is also held to promote the consumption of this plant for good health.
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Grateful for new flavors
This day makes us feel grateful for its taste. The smoothness of vodka balances the sweetness of rhubarb, and you can find several recipes for using rhubarb vodka as a base for other drinks.
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We get to show appreciation
It is a day to give appreciation to those who took the time to discover this combination. We love new and exciting drinks.
National Rhubarb Vodka Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 3 | Saturday |
| 2023 | December 2 | Saturday |
| 2024 | December 7 | Saturday |
| 2025 | December 6 | Saturday |
| 2026 | December 5 | Saturday |
