A large glass bottle filled with orange coloured rhubarb cordial, two small glasses with a milky drink and chopped rhubarb slices.

A glass jar of Rhubarb and Ginger Jam lying on top of a row of rhubarb sticks.

A fruiting Calamondin Orange plant bearing many small orange fruits in a terracotta pot held by a person.

Cool down this summer with our homemade rhubarb cordial

There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a long, cool glass of rose-pink cordial on a hot day.

Head Gardener Ned’s recipe for rhubarb and orange flavoured cordial is easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious. Do give it a try! Recipe makes one bottle of cordial.

2kg rhubarb, trimmed and chopped into chunks
50g citric acid
1kg granulated sugar
Zest of two oranges

Place the rhubarb and orange zest in a large bowl and just cover with water. Add the citric acid and stir well.
Cover and leave for 48 hours.
Strain the rhubarb through a sieve. Put the strained liquid into a pan and add the sugar and orange juice. Heat gently and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Bring to the boil and boil for five minutes. Pour into a sterilised bottle. Dilute before using.