The sun is reappearing here in Michigan, which means hot and humid days are only weeks away! This cucumber gin and tonic recipe is perfect for those sweltering summer days. The freshness of lime and cucumber juices turns your standard gin and tonic into something special!
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SUMMER CUCUMBER GIN AND TONIC RECIPE
WHY DO PEOPLE PUT CUCUMBERS IN GIN AND TONIC?
If you have ever ordered a G&T at a bar or restaurant, it likely came garnished with lime. That is the most common addition to a gin and tonic cocktail these days, but it’s not the only option.
Cucumbers have a fresh, crisp flavor that adds freshness to cocktails without overpowering the flavor of the spirits. Gin is an alcohol that is made from distilling alcohol with juniper berries (which give it its iconic pine-y flavor) as well as various other botanicals and herbs. The fresh taste of cucumber pairs really well with those botanical flavors.
My recipe uses fresh cucumber juice and fresh lime for a super refreshing take on the traditional gin and tonic.
WHAT GIN GOES BEST WITH CUCUMBER TONIC?
Every brand of gin has its own recipe, its own flavor profile, and its own method of introducing the different botanicals into the alcohol. The best gin for this recipe are ones that lean heavier on citrus notes like Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire. Hendrick’s Gin is another easy-to-find option that would work really well. Gins that lean spicier, like Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin, are better suited for cocktails with a bit more sweetness in my opinion.
HOW TO MAKE FRESH CUCUMBER JUICE
Cucumbers are mostly water, so they are super easy to juice even if you don’t have a juicer. Wash your cucumber, and then cut it into chunks for easier blending. Place the cucumber in the blender and let her rip!
After the cucumber is mostly pureed, it will need to be strained. You can do this by placing a fine-mesh strainer over a container and pouring the pureed cucumber through it. Press the cucumber solids down into the mesh strainer to get all of the liquid out.
You can also place a piece of clean cheesecloth in a bowl, and pour the pureed cucumber on it. Gather up the cheesecloth and squeeze all of the cucumber juice out of the solids in the cloth.
You can use the saved solids to make tzatziki sauce for gyros later!
WHAT CAN YOU USE IN PLACE OF TONIC WATER?
I have been a fan of gin and tonic cocktails for years, but they do not love me back. There is a compound in tonic water called quinine that some people have adverse reactions to. If I have more than one glass of tonic water in a night, I get a splitting headache.
If you want to skip the tonic in your G&T, you can use seltzer, club soda, or water that you have put through a Soda Stream machine.
CUCUMBER LIME GIN AND TONIC RECIPE
SUMMER CUCUMBER GIN AND TONIC RECIPE
Print PinIngredients
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz fresh cucumber juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- tonic water
Instructions
- Fill a large rocks glass or a Tom Collins glass with ice.
- Add in gin, cucumber juice, and lime juice. Stir gently.
- Top with tonic water.
- Garnish with a slice of cucumber and a slice of lime.
SUMMER GIN COCKTAIL
The last thing to do is to garnish your drinks with lime and cucumber slices. I love to enjoy a cucumber and lime gin and tonic in our sunroom or out on the patio. Where is your favorite place to sip a tasty summer cocktail?
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