HolunderBlütenWunder Elderflower & Rhubarb Premium Syrup. A syrup made from direct-pressed rhubarb juice and elderflowers – crisp, tart, and mildly fruity.

HolunderBlütenWunder Elderflower & Rhubarb Premium Syrup is a syrup made from direct-pressed rhubarb juice, elderflowers, and lemon juice, bottled in a 250 ml container. It is produced by HolunderBlütenWunder in Tübingen. Mixed with sparkling water at a 1:4 ratio, it creates a reddish spritzer, or it can be used as a "Red Hugo" in a champagne flute.

Elderflower & Rhubarb by HolunderBlütenWunder is the variety with the highest fruit content. While water is the first ingredient listed for the other syrups in the range, here it is direct-pressed rhubarb juice. Direct-pressed means the juice comes straight from the pressed stalks and is not diluted from concentrate. Botanically, rhubarb is a vegetable, but it is used like a fruit in the kitchen. Its acidity is bold and fresh. Other ingredients include water, beet sugar, lemon juice, elderflowers, citric acid, a touch of vinegar, and a splash of direct-pressed elderberry juice. Like all their syrups, this is a concentrate to be diluted with water.

Flavor

Crisp and tart – that is how HolunderBlütenWunder describes the rhubarb in this bottle. It delivers the signature acidity reminiscent of rhubarb compote or freshly baked rhubarb cake. Elderflower and lemon layer a floral, fresh tone on top. According to the manufacturer, the result is a balanced, mildly fruity acidity. The tartness of the rhubarb lingers on the finish. Anyone looking for a sweet fruit syrup like strawberry will likely find it too acidic.

Usage

According to the manufacturer, the syrup is especially popular as a "Red Hugo" and as a spritzer. For the Red Hugo, add two centiliters of syrup to a wine glass with ice, mint, and a slice of lime, then top up with sparkling wine and a splash of soda water. For a spritzer, cold sparkling water at a 1:4 ratio is sufficient.

In our interview, Malena Medam shared her own recipe, the "Ruby": add 3 cl of syrup, 15 cl of ginger ale, and 5 cl of soda water over ice, then garnish with lime and mint. The result is an alcohol-free long drink with fresh acidity and a slight spice from the ginger ale. It is perfect for summer parties where children and designated drivers should also get a special glass.

Its acidity is also a strength in the kitchen. A spoonful over vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or quark with strawberries adds a fresh note. For a quick dressing, whisk the syrup with white wine vinegar, oil, and salt, then drizzle over lamb's lettuce with goat cheese. You can also easily freeze diluted syrup into ice pops. Once opened, store the bottle in the refrigerator, where it will keep for at least six weeks according to the manufacturer.

Our tip: Mix the syrup with cold sparkling water and add a few fresh strawberry slices to the glass. Strawberry and rhubarb are a classic pairing.

Origin

HolunderBlütenWunder operates according to the motto "Stick to what you know." Over four decades, the family from Tübingen has deliberately developed only four types of syrup, plus an elderflower sparkler, as Malena Medam explained in our interview. In addition to the classic elderflower syrup, there are ginger, quince, and, of course, rhubarb. Each variety combines the flower with exactly one other ingredient.

This variety also gets its fragrance from blossoms collected in early summer and processed in Tübingen on the same day. Beyond the rhubarb, Italian lemons provide the acidity. A small portion of direct-pressed elderberry juice rounds off the recipe. Unopened, the bottle has a shelf life of more than three years. The ingredient list mentions none of the 14 major allergens.

For whom

Elderflower & Rhubarb is for everyone who prefers their drinks tart rather than sweet. It is ideal for rhubarb fans who want to enjoy the flavor outside of the short spring season. Hosts can use it to mix a Red Hugo that stands out right alongside the classic version. And those who grow their own rhubarb in the garden will find this syrup a perfect addition for the post-harvest season. The pure blossom version is available as Premium Elderflower Syrup. You can find all the varieties from Tübingen on our HolunderBlütenWunder page. It is not suitable for drinking straight, as it is too intense as a concentrate.

Direct-pressed rhubarb juice, elderflower, and lemon – the tart syrup from Tübingen for spritzers, the Ruby, and the Red Hugo.