JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka Review

I recently sampled JJ Whitley’s Potato Vodka and was very impressed. I’d been curious to try their Rhubarb Vodka next, as I love rhubarb.

And if you love rhubarb too then it’s worth buying a bottle of this for the smell alone. It’s an extremely delicate but very definite and distinctive rhubarb scent. Anything distinctive like rhubarb can be overpowering, but not here. It’s also got a hint of vanilla cream, making me think automatically of custard, in a wonderfully pleasant way.

On the palate the rhubarb flavour comes through more strongly than on the nose, but it’s still restrained. The vanilla is still there too, and it has a beautifully rounded mouth-feel, making for a very pleasant drink when taken neat.

JJ Whitley rhubarb vodka bottle detail — JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka

The problem with rhubarb is that it is very distinctive, and really lingers. I wouldn’t say this is going to be a sipping vodka, as a little goes a long way. I made a straightforward but small vodka and tonic, which was an incredibly refreshing drink – but again, I wouldn’t want to drink more than one.

JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka Cocktails

I think this JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka is definitely going to be a cocktail vodka, not a sipping vodka, so I went in search of rhubarb vodka cocktail recipes. There are an amazing number, including this one from JJ Whitley.

JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka Martini Recipe

This refreshing martini has been created by
All Star Lanes, Brick Lane, East London,
using J.J. Whitley Rhubarb Vodka.

Ingredients (single serve)
25ml J.J. Whitley Rhubarb Vodka
25ml J.J. Whitley London Dry Gin
dash of Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
10ml fresh lemon juice
5ml vanilla and passion fruit syrup
10ml pressed apple juice
shot of Prosecco
a dried lemon wheel
dehydrated cornflower petals (or other edible dried flowers)

Method
Put all ingredients, except the prosecco into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a coupette.
Garnish with the lemon and petals and serve with a chilled shot of prosecco.

When I began searching I was amazed just how many rhubarb vodka cocktail recipes there were – hundreds of them! I found some good ones on Buzzfeed and Yummly.

And here’s a Rhubarb and Ginger Cooler, from Hello Magazine:

Pairing a rhubarb version with its best friend ginger is a winner, and ginger loves lime – you get the picture.

Ingredients (Serves 1)
50ml rhubarb vodka (or 50ml normal vodka with a splash of rhubarb syrup)
100ml ginger ale
A splash of light rum
A chunk of lime
A few drops of bitters

Method
Mix the vodka, ginger ale, rum and bitters in a tall glass full of ice. Squeeze in the lime and drop the chunk into the glass. Give it a swirl with a tall spoon and enjoy!

I’d thought of the ginger and lime, and yes, the rhubarb vodka works great with those two, varying the amount of ginger according to your taste. But I hadn’t thought of adding just a dash of rum to it – yes, a winning combo! Well, until someone comes up with a custard tonic, of course.