89Süd Organic Rhubarb Syrup Essence. Organic syrup essence made from rhubarb juice, deep red and fruity-tart – concentrated for spritzers, sparkling wine, and Hugo cocktails.
89Süd Organic Rhubarb Syrup Essence is an organic syrup essence made from rhubarb juice, organic sugar, water, and citric acid by the 89Süd manufactory in Waldkirch, Bavarian Swabia. More concentrated than classic syrup, with less sugar and lots of rhubarb, vegan and non-alcoholic, 330 ml in a swing-top bottle. Not a finished syrup, not a fruit juice drink, no added flavorings – an essence you can use to mix your own spritzers and lemonade.
Organic Rhubarb Syrup Essence from 89Süd is our top seller among the essences from Waldkirch. A syrup essence is a concentrate for dilution, but structured differently than classic syrup: at 89Süd, the raw ingredient is the focus. Therefore, according to the manufacturer, the essence contains significantly less sugar and the highest possible concentration of rhubarb juice. In a glass, add one part essence to eight or nine parts water. A 330 ml bottle thus yields a good three liters of spritzer. That is why the small swing-top bottle goes further than its size suggests. The rhubarb grows on Flora and Christoph Nieß's own field, is cooked down at harvest time, and bottled by hand. This brings the acidity of the stalks into the bottle, and you decide at your kitchen table how strong the spritzer should be.
Flavor
The rhubarb syrup essence tastes like pure rhubarb: intensely fruity and tart, with the typical acidity of fresh stalks and a sweetness that only rounds it out. The color is a deep red that remains even when diluted in a glass.
Straight from the bottle, the essence is strong and concentrated – as intended. Diluted with water, it creates a rhubarb spritzer with an unadulterated, delicate flavor, just as 89Süd describes it: fruity rather than sugary. Rhubarb juice is the first item on the list of ingredients, followed by organic sugar, water, and citric acid as an acidulant. That is the entire recipe.
Compared to rhubarb syrup from the supermarket shelf, you notice the color first, then the flavor: the red comes from the stalk, as does the acidity. You can taste that juice is the base here and sugar is only the second ingredient. Anyone who knows rhubarb from the market in early summer, raw in the hand or as compote, will find that exact taste again in the glass – only concentrated.
Those expecting a sweet, mild lemonade will find the essence tart. Rhubarb remains rhubarb, even when mixed. If you enjoy exactly this acidity, this is the variety that is reordered most frequently by our customers in summer.
Usage
For a classic rhubarb spritzer, add one part essence to eight or nine parts sparkling mineral water, add ice, and it's ready. Pour the water into the glass first, then the essence, and stir briefly. For children and those who prefer it milder, use a bit more water; those who like it strong can add a splash more essence.
89Süd also recommends the essence in sparkling wine, Prosecco, and cocktails. A dash in a glass of sparkling wine tints it rosé and adds acidity to the bubbles. This creates an aperitif before a meal or a rhubarb version of the Hugo, where the essence replaces the elderflower syrup. In a cocktail, it takes the role of the sweet syrup, only with more fruit and more acidity. In lemonade with a slice of lemon, it is the summer bottle for the balcony.
The essence is also practical for guests: one bottle on the table, a pitcher of sparkling water next to it, and everyone can mix their spritzer as strong as they like. The swing-top keeps the bottle sealed between drinks, even if it is sitting outside in the garden.
Store the bottle in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it belongs in the refrigerator and should be used up promptly. With a bottle that yields three liters of spritzer, that is rarely a problem in summer.
Our tip: Freeze ice cubes made from already diluted essence and add them to the spritzer – this way, the glass stays red and tart in the sun until the last sip, rather than becoming watered down.
Origin
The 89Süd manufactory is located in Waldkirch, a district of Winterbach in the Günzburg district in Bavarian Swabia. Flora and Christoph Nieß grow most of the fruit, herbs, flowers, and vegetables themselves, using mixed cultivation and with an eye toward bees and insects in the field. The rhubarb for this essence comes from this very own cultivation.
It is cooked down when the stalks reach their ideal harvest time and bottled immediately afterward – all by hand, from the cultivation to the cooking process to the label. The illustration on the bottle was drawn by Flora Nieß herself. The manufactory has been officially organic-certified since the summer of 2020; the couple says they valued organic quality even before that.
The idea behind all essences from Waldkirch is: little sugar, lots of flavor. Compared to conventional syrup, the focus is on the intense taste of the fruit, hence less sugar and the highest possible concentration of raw ingredients – and that is why the small bottle goes a long way. You can find more about the couple and the seven varieties on our 89Süd page.
For whom
The rhubarb syrup essence is the bottle for everyone who prefers mixing spritzers themselves rather than buying them ready-made. It suits the family dinner table in summer, the balcony after work, and aperitifs with guests who are the designated drivers. As a small gift, the swing-top bottle with the illustrated label is a present that goes into use immediately and smells of rhubarb when opened. And those with little space in the fridge just store one small bottle instead of a row of lemonade bottles.
Those who prefer something more floral should choose the Lavender-Elderflower Syrup Essence; those looking for tart fruit will like the Quince Syrup Essence made from regional quinces. Further syrups and essences can be found in our Syrup category. The rhubarb essence is not suitable for those expecting a sweet, mild lemonade – it remains tart, even with plenty of water.
Rhubarb from our own field, deep red and tart – the organic syrup essence from Waldkirch, with which you can mix the summer yourself.
