Cucumber-Mint Gimlet
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
For Cucumber Gin* (prepare 3-5 days prior to use)
- 2 cucumbers, peeled
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) gin
For the Cucumber-Mint Gimlet
- ice cubes
- 3 oz Cucumber Gin* (or favorite gin muddled with cucumber slices)
- ½ oz freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ¼ oz simple syrup (equal parts sugar & water)
- 6 mint leaves
Garnish Suggestions
- mint leaves
- thin cucumber slices
Equipment for Cucumber Gin
- large glass container
- fine-mesh strainer
- bottles with lids for storing
Equipment for Cucumber-Mint Gimlet
- chilled cocktail glass
- cocktail shaker
How-to
Make Cucumber Gin (prepare 3-5 days before use)
- Slice and rough chop the peeled cucumbers
- Add to a large glass container
- Add gin to cover the cucumbers
- Cover top of container with plastic wrap secured with a rubber band and store in a cool and dark location for 3-5 days. Start tasting around the morning of day 3. If you want stronger flavor, let infuse another 2 days
- When you're happy with the taste, strain into bottles, cap and if not using immediately, store in the refrigerator
Make Simple Syrup
- Add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan
- Bring to just shy of a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar
- Remove from heat, cool to room temperature. Chill until needed
- (Make as much or as little simple syrup as you like. Will last in a covered container, refrigerated, for about 3 months)
Shake Up a Gimlet
- Fill a shaker with ice
- Add Cucumber Gin, lime juice, simple syrup and mint leaves
- Cap the shaker and shake vigorously
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
- Garnish with cucumber slices and mint leaves (optional) and enjoy immediately