Refresh yourself with this quick Garden Sour recipe! Blend rhubarb liqueur, mezcal, lemon juice, celery bitters, and sugar syrup for a great springtime cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 1 oz Rhubarb Liqueur
- 1 oz Mezcal
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Celery Bitters
- ½ oz sugar syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist or slice - for garnish, optional
Old Fashioned Glass
Measuring Jigger
Shaker
Strainer
Prep Glass: Fill your Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes, stir and set it aside.
Add Bitter: Drop 2 dashes of Celery Bitters into the shaker.
Add Sugar: Measure and pour ½ oz sugar syrup into the shaker.
Add Lemon: Add ¾ oz fresh lemon juice to the mix.
Add Rhubarb Liqueur: Measure and pour 1 oz Rhubarb Liqueur into the shaker.
Add Mezcal: Add 1 oz Mezcal to your shaker.
Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled.
Strain: Strain the mixture into the Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice.
Garnish: Place a lemon twist or slice into the glass for garnish.
Substitutes:
- Rhubarb Liqueur: If you don't have rhubarb liqueur, try using an elderflower liqueur for a floral twist. I've also used raspberry liqueur for a fruitier profile.
- Mezcal: If you prefer a less smoky flavor, substitute mezcal with tequila. It still gives that agave essence without the smokiness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, but I always find fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor.
- Celery Bitters: If you can't find celery bitters, use Angostura bitters for a more traditional bitter note.
- Sugar Syrup: You can make your own sugar syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat until thoroughly combined.
Making a Pitcher of Garden Sour:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of rhubarb liqueur, 8 oz of mezcal, 6 oz of fresh lemon juice, 16 dashes of celery bitters, and 4 oz of sugar syrup.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rhubarb liqueur, mezcal, fresh lemon juice, celery bitters, and sugar syrup. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with a lemon twist or slice, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rhubarb Liqueur Substitute: Use a rhubarb syrup or cordial to mimic the flavor without the alcohol.
- Mezcal Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic spirit that mimics the smoky flavor of mezcal, or use smoked tea (like lapsang souchong) brewed strong and chilled.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.