Did you know that apple and rhubarb makes for a delicious pairing? Even better, they both marry beautifully with gin!

So we’ve come up with this refreshing cocktail as a great alternative to your usual gin and tonic, using dry apple cider as the mixer. You could also substitute the cider for apple juice, if you prefer to make a lower-alcohol version of the drink.

This delightful sweet-but-tart tipple also uses rhubarb cordial; you can buy this online or in stores, but why not have a go at making your own bottle, if you can get your hands on some fresh rhubarb? It’s ever so easy and adds a whole new layer of flavour to your drinks.

Apple & Rhubarb Collins

35ml gin
20ml rhubarb cordial (see below)
Apple cider or juice, to top up
2 dashes orange bitters (optional)
A stick of fresh rhubarb, or a lemon or lime wedge

Fill your gin glass with ice, then add all your ingredients, stir briefly, and garnish with a stick of rhubarb, or a slice of lemon or lime. Serve!

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*To make your own rhubarb cordial, gently heat 300g caster sugar with 300ml water over a low heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the zest and juice of one orange and one lemon, 500g fresh rhubarb (trimmed) and, if you like, a little cube of peeled ginger.

Continue to cook, stirring all the while, until the rhubarb is completely tender and mixing easily into the syrup. Now strain the liquid into a sterilised bottle and leave to cool before using. The cordial will keep in the fridge or other cool, dark place for several weeks.