I love trying easy drink recipes during the summer and this cucumber gin and tonic is quickly becoming a new favorite! It's a twist on a classic gin and tonic recipe. With fresh ingredients like cucumber slices, lime and mint sprigs, this chilled cocktail is so light, crisp, and refreshing.
The cucumber juices and gin are paired fizzy tonic water which brightens the drink and makes it even more delicious! By balancing cooling, calm flavors with some bright notes this drink is the perfect reward after a long, hot day.
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Ingredient Notes
- Gin - I prefer Tanqueray Gin or Bombay Sapphire, but you can use your favorite brand. And if you'd like to make a mocktail, you can use a non-alcoholic gin instead.
- Lime Juice - Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Tonic Water - Gin and tonics are traditionally topped with fizzy tonic water. Club soda would also be a suitable alternative. And if you prefer some extra sweetness, you could use lemonade, limeade, or Sprite instead.
- Cucumber - Fresh cucumber is used to flavor the cocktail as well as garnish.
- Ice - This keeps the cocktail chilled and refreshing.
Choosing your gin
The quality of the gin will greatly affect the taste of your cocktail, so I recommend buying the best gin you can afford. However, it is worthwhile to note that there are a few varieties of gin with different flavor profiles so you might experiment to find your favorite.
- London Dry Gin - The most popular variety of gin. It has a strong flavor of juniper berries.
- Plymouth Gin - Plymouth gin is drier than London gin and has a slightly spicy flavor.
- Old Tom Gin - This gin variety is a little sweeter, with added flavors of licorice.
- Genever Gin - Genever gin is standard gin with sweet and aromatic and commonly used in cocktails.
How To Make A Cucumber Gin and Tonic
The best thing about this refreshing drink is that it is incredibly easy to make and only uses a few simple ingredients that are easy to find year-round.
- STEP ONE: Add the diced cucumber and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle it for a minute or two. If you don't have a cocktail muddler, you can smash the cucumber with the handle of a wooden spoon.
- STEP TWO: Add the gin and ice cubes to the muddled cucumber and give it a good shake.
- STEP THREE: Cut your cucumber ribbons and wrap them around the inside of two cocktail glasses. Fill the glass with ice and strain the liquid into the glass.
- STEP FOUR: Top off with tonic water and garnish with lime wedges and fresh mint.
How to Garnish Your Drink
Slice the cucumber lengthwise into a ¼-inch wide strip using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Cutting your cucumber this way allows the maximum flavor and makes the drink look unique.
Swirl the cucumber ribbon along the inside of the glass before adding the ice cubes. The cucumber ribbons will infuse the drink with more cucumber flavor than a traditional cut disk of cucumber.
Glassware for Serving this Cocktail
Although I've shown this cocktail in a shorter glass, a gin and tonic is typically served in a highball glass.
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Recipe
Cucumber Gin and Tonic
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Cucumber diced
- ½ Lime juice only
- 2 ounces Gin
- 4 ounces Tonic Water
- Cucumber sliced for garnish
- Lime cut into wheels for garnish
- Fresh Mint for garnish
- Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Place diced cucumber and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and muddle using a spoon or cocktail muddler.¼ Cup Cucumber, ½ Lime
- Add the gin and a few ice cubes and shake well.2 ounces Gin, Ice Cubes
- Fill a serving glasses with ice and pour the cocktail mixture through a strainer over the ice.Ice Cubes
- Top with tonic water and garnish with fresh thin slices of cucumber, lime wheels and fresh mint leaves.4 ounces Tonic Water, Cucumber, Lime, Fresh Mint
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