Spring Brings Fresh Trends to Wisconsin
Mar. 21, 2016
As consumer’s look for refreshing drinks this spring season, they are falling in love with a surprising new flavor: the humble cucumber. It offers a light and watery flavor profile with a hint of sweet melon juice that is perfect for the warmer season. Cucumber also complements crisp spirits like gin or tequila, and brands like Svedka Cucumber Lime, Hendrick’s Gin, Milagro Silver Tequila and Herradura Silver are a natural match.
Consumer demand for cucumber-flavored spirits has skyrocketed up 37% in the last three months of the year and up 14% over last year, outpacing fruit-flavored spirits and flavored spirits in general (IRI data for 52 weeks ending Jan. 24, 2016).
Capitalize on the cucumber trend with these spring-themed cocktails.
Mid-Summer Mule
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. gin
- 2/3 oz. parts lime
- 1/2 oz. elderflower cordial
- 8 mint leaves
- 1-inch cut of cucumber
- Ginger beer to finish
Add cucumber, break up with muddler, and all the other ingredients over cracked ice. Top with ginger beer and mint.
Tequila Cooler as a Cucumber
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. fresh cucumber juice
- 1.5 oz. lime juice
- 1.5 oz. tequila
- Sugar to taste
- 3 oz. club soda
- Lime and cucumber for garnish
Mix cucumber juice, lime juice, tequila, and sugar in a glass over ice. Fill the glass with club soda if desired. Garnish with lime and cucumber.
Spicy Spring Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 3 slices peeled cucumber
- Vinegar hot sauce
- Fresh cilantro
Muddle cilantro, cucumber slices, simple syrup and lemon juice. Add vodka, shake and double strain. Add hot sauce to taste and garnish with a cucumber wheel.
Contact your Breakthru Beverage Sales Consultant for more information on how you can freshen up your bottom line with cucumber this season.