Rose Rhubarb Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin

This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail combines tart homemade rhubarb concentrate, fragrant rose syrup, Empress 1908 Gin, and triple sec for a refreshing floral gin cocktail with a beautiful pink-purple hue. Bright, lightly citrusy, and perfectly balanced, it’s an elegant spring and summer drink that’s easy to make yet impressive enough for special occasions.

Floral Rose Rhubarb Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin

Hey, folks – I hope you are all doing well!

I’ve been making quite a few rhubarb and floral cocktails lately, and this one quickly became one of my favourites. The tart rhubarb keeps everything bright and refreshing, while the rose adds just enough floral aroma without overwhelming the drink. If you enjoy botanical gin cocktails that aren’t overly sweet, this recipe is definitely worth trying. So, let’s dive into this rose cocktail with rhubarb and Empress 1908 gin.

Why You’ll Love This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin and Triple Sec

This floral gin cocktail is surprisingly easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.

Beautifully balanced. Tart rhubarb, delicate rose, botanical gin, and bright citrus notes complement one another without any single flavour dominating.
Refreshing rather than sweet. Homemade tart rhubarb concentrate creates a crisp, lively cocktail that’s ideal for warm weather.
Naturally colourful. Empress 1908 Gin transforms into a gorgeous pink-purple colour once mixed with the acidic ingredients.
Elegant floral flavour. Rose syrup adds fragrance and complexity while allowing the rhubarb to remain the star.
Easy to customize. Adjust the amount of rose syrup or rhubarb concentrate to suit your taste.
Perfect for entertaining. Its vibrant colour and sophisticated flavour make it an eye-catching cocktail for brunches, garden parties, showers, and summer gatherings.
A great way to use homemade rhubarb concentrate. If you make rhubarb syrup or concentrate every spring, this cocktail is an excellent way to enjoy it beyond desserts.

What Makes This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail Special?

This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail combines tart rhubarb, fragrant rose, botanical gin, and a touch of citrus into a refreshing floral drink that’s elegant without being overly sweet. Here’s what makes it stand out.

A Bright, Balanced Flavour Profile

Many floral cocktails lean heavily toward sweetness, while many rhubarb cocktails focus almost entirely on tartness. This recipe strikes a balance between the two, creating a drink that’s bright, botanical, aromatic, and refreshing.

Instead of relying on lemon juice for acidity, tart homemade rhubarb concentrate provides both vibrant fruit flavour and the crisp backbone of the cocktail. Triple sec contributes subtle orange notes that soften the sharper edges without making the drink noticeably citrus-forward.

Rose Adds Aroma, Not Sweetness

Rose syrup gives this cocktail its elegant floral character. Used in moderation, it enhances the rhubarb instead of overpowering it, adding fragrance and complexity without making the drink taste perfumed. The result is a floral gin cocktail where rhubarb remains the star.

Why Empress 1908 Gin Works So Well

Empress 1908 Gin is an excellent choice for this recipe. Distilled with butterfly pea blossom and a blend of carefully selected botanicals, it naturally changes from deep indigo to a beautiful pink-purple colour when mixed with acidic ingredients.

Its floral and citrus botanicals also pair beautifully with both rhubarb and rose, creating a cocktail that’s as visually striking as it is delicious.

A Modern Floral Gin Cocktail

Although inspired by the structure of a classic gin sour, this recipe contains no egg white or cream, giving it a clean, crisp finish that’s perfect for warm weather. It’s elegant enough for celebrations yet simple enough to enjoy on an ordinary summer evening.

Does Rhubarb Pair Well with Rose?

Absolutely. Rhubarb and rose are a classic flavour pairing because they naturally balance one another. Rhubarb is bright, tart, and slightly earthy, while rose contributes a delicate floral aroma that softens the fruit’s sharp acidity without masking its distinctive flavour.

This combination has long been popular in European desserts, preserves, and beverages. You’ll often find rhubarb paired with floral ingredients like rose, elderflower, or hibiscus to create a more rounded and elegant flavour profile.

The key is moderation. Too much rose can become perfumed, while too little simply disappears behind the rhubarb. A well-balanced Rose Rhubarb Cocktail should let the rhubarb remain the star, with the rose adding fragrance and a lingering floral finish.

Why Rose Works So Well in Cocktails and Drinks

Rose has become increasingly popular in cocktails because it adds aroma rather than sweetness. When used carefully, it gives drinks a sophisticated floral character without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Like lavender and violet, rose is most successful when paired with ingredients that provide freshness or acidity. Bright citrus juices, tart fruit, and botanical spirits help keep floral flavours light and balanced.

Some of the best ingredients to pair with rose include:

Rhubarb. Tart and fruity with enough acidity to balance floral sweetness.
Gin. Botanical notes naturally complement rose petals and floral syrups.
Citrus. Lemon, grapefruit, and orange brighten rose without overpowering it.
Berries. Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and cherry all pair beautifully with delicate floral notes.
Sparkling wine and soda. Their crisp bubbles lighten richer floral flavours.
Honey and vanilla. These create a softer, dessert-inspired profile while still allowing the rose to shine.

The biggest mistake when making rose cocktails is using too much floral flavour. Rose should enhance a drink rather than dominate it. A subtle floral aroma often creates a far more elegant cocktail than one that tastes strongly of perfume.

Rose Rhubarb Cocktail made with Empress 1908 Gin and Triple Sec

How Can You Add Rose Flavour to Cocktails?

There are several ways to incorporate rose into cocktails, and each offers a slightly different flavour and intensity.

Homemade rose syrup. My favourite option. It delivers clean floral flavour, dissolves easily into cocktails, and lets you control both the sweetness and the strength of the rose.
Rose petal jam. Another excellent homemade alternative. The syrup from the jam mixes beautifully into cocktails, while a small spoonful of the petals can add extra flavour to stirred or shaken drinks.
Store-bought rose syrup. The easiest and most widely available choice. Different brands vary considerably in sweetness and floral intensity, so adjust the amount to taste.
Rose water. Highly concentrated and best used sparingly. Just a few drops are often enough, as too much can quickly overpower the drink.
Rose liqueur. Less common than syrup but excellent for spirit-forward cocktails. It contributes both floral flavour and additional sweetness.
Rose-infused spirits. Some craft distilleries produce rose-infused gin or vodka. These offer a more subtle floral character and work especially well in simple cocktails where the spirit takes centre stage.

No matter which ingredient you choose, it’s usually best to start with a small amount and adjust gradually. Rose should complement the cocktail’s other flavours rather than become the only thing you notice.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin and Triple Sec

It’s easy to make this floral rose gin cocktail with just a handful of well-balanced ingredients.

Empress 1908 Gin. Adds botanical complexity while creating the cocktail’s beautiful pink-purple colour.
Homemade tart rhubarb concentrate. Provides the bright, tangy backbone of the drink. If using a sweeter rhubarb syrup, you may wish to reduce the rose syrup slightly or add a squeeze of lemon juice. How to Make Rhubarb Syrup (Less Sweet, Perfect for Cocktails)
Rose syrup. Brings delicate floral aroma and a touch of sweetness that complements the rhubarb. How to Make Rose Syrup with Fresh Rose Petals. You can also use syrup from homemade rose petal jam Rose Petal Jam – A Fragrant Floral Spread with Edible Roses.
Triple sec. Adds subtle orange notes that tie the flavours together without overpowering the cocktail.
Orange or citrus bitters. A few dashes brighten the drink and add extra depth.
Ice. For shaking and chilling.

Optional garnishes

Thin ribbon of rhubarb
Edible dried rose petals or a rose bud
Lemon twist
Fresh mint sprig for contrast

What Gin Is Best for a Rose Rhubarb Cocktail?

Although this cocktail works with almost any quality gin, some styles complement the floral and tart flavours better than others.

Empress 1908 Gin

Empress 1908 Gin is my favourite choice for this recipe. Distilled with butterfly pea blossom and a carefully selected blend of botanicals, it naturally changes from deep indigo to a vibrant pink-purple when mixed with acidic ingredients like rhubarb concentrate.

Beyond its dramatic colour, Empress offers subtle floral, citrus, and herbal notes that pair beautifully with both rose syrup and rhubarb. The result is a cocktail that’s elegant in both flavour and appearance.

Other Great Gin Options

If you don’t have Empress 1908 Gin, don’t worry—many other styles work well.

London Dry gin. Crisp, juniper-forward, and refreshing. It creates a more classic gin cocktail with the rhubarb taking centre stage.
Contemporary botanical gin. Gins with citrus, floral, or soft herbal notes complement the rose particularly well.
Citrus-forward gin. A good choice if you’d like to emphasize the bright orange notes from the triple sec.
Floral gin. Gins featuring botanicals such as chamomile, elderflower, or lavender can work beautifully, provided they don’t overpower the rose.

Very heavily spiced or strongly savoury gins may compete with the delicate floral character of this cocktail.

How to Make This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the Empress 1908 Gin, rhubarb concentrate, rose syrup, triple sec, and a few dashes of bitters. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a dried rose bud, edible rose petals, a lemon twist, or a thin ribbon of rhubarb before serving.

How to Serve This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail

This elegant floral cocktail is best served well chilled in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass, which highlights both its beautiful colour and delicate aroma. If you prefer a longer, lighter drink, simply pour it over fresh ice in a rocks or highball glass and top with a splash of club soda.

For garnish, keep things simple so the drink remains refined.

Dried rose bud or edible rose petals. The most elegant option that reinforces the floral aroma.
Lemon twist. Adds a fresh citrus fragrance that complements both the rose and the triple sec.
Thin ribbon of rhubarb. A beautiful seasonal garnish for spring and early summer.
Fresh mint. Adds a touch of colour and an extra refreshing aroma.

This Rose Rhubarb Cocktail is perfect for spring and summer entertaining, garden parties, bridal showers, Mother’s Day brunches, Valentine’s Day celebrations, or simply enjoying on a warm evening.

More Floral Cocktails You’ll Love

If you enjoy floral cocktails like this rose gin cocktail with rhubarb, here are a few more recipes to try next:

I’d love for you to try this rose gin cocktail with rhubarb. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!

Rose Rhubarb Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin, rose syrup and rhubarb garnish

Rhubarb gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 gin and triple sec