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This article was originally published on Clean Eating Magazine.
Rhubarb, with its tart and colorful stalks, is a welcome harbinger of spring. It comes into season in April and only sticks around for the first few weeks of summer – which means right now is perhaps the best time to mix up our Green Tea Rhubarb Sparkler.
Why turn rhubarb into a bubbly bev? Well, this ruby-colored plant is so incredibly nutrient-rich. It’s particularly high in antioxidants, as it develops its red-hued stalks from anthocyanins, which are beneficial for fighting free radicals. Rhubarb’s particular blend of antioxidants may even offer anti-inflammatory properties. But the perks don’t stop there. You’ll also find calcium, potassium, folate, magnesium, manganese, and vitamins A, C and K inside this leafy veg.
Here, we combine the veg with green tea and sparkling water for a spritzer worthy of toasting the season. While we’ve made it a mocktail, you can take this sipper up a notch by adding an ounce of gin or vodka.
Green Tea Rhubarb Sparkler
Ingredients
- 2 green tea bags
- 1¼ cups boiled water, divided
- 1 tsp. ginger, grated
- 1 cup rhubarb, chopped
- 3 Tbsp. raw honey
- 2 cups ice, divided
- 1 can sparkling water
- 4 lime slices
Preparation
1. In a heat-proof measuring cup, place tea bags and add 1 cup boiled water. Stir in ginger and let steep for 5 minutes; remove tea bags. Stir in one-half of the ice.
2. In a small saucepan over medium, place rhubarb, honey and remaining ¼ cup boiled water and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Let cool for 15 minutes.
3. Divide rhubarb purée and remaining ice among 4 glasses. Pour in green tea, dividing evenly. Top each drink with sparkling water and garnish with a lime slice.