The cool and crisp cucumber is the unofficial 2018 king of summer cocktails. Last year, global flavors and fragrance giant Firmenich named Cucumber its 2017 Flavor of the Year, citing that consumers are gravitating towards lighter, refreshing ”green” flavors.
This year, this trend has continued to grow thanks to a bushel of new cucumber-flavored products available in the market, as well as an outcrop of bartenders and mixologists who have taken an interest in adding vegetable flavors to their drinks menu.
To take advantage of this flavor trend, our Beverage Development Team has created five cucumber-inspired cocktails perfect for keeping your customers cool and refreshed all summer long.
Cooler by the Ocean
2 oz. cucumber vodka
1 oz. coconut milk
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. tonic water
Glassware: Collins Glass
Method: Combine the cucumber vodka, coconut milk, lime juice and simple syrup in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake well. Double strain into chilled Collins glass, using Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer. Top with tonic water
Garnish: Cucumber wheel and mint spring
Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet
1.5 oz. cucumber gin
.75 oz. elderflower liqueur
.75 oz. cucumber syrup*
.75 oz. fresh lime juice
Glassware: Rocks/Double Old Fashioned
Method: Combine all ingredients in shaker tin. Add ice and shake well 5-6 seconds. Strain into ice filled Rocks glass, using Hawthorne strainer.
Garnish: 3 thin cucumber wheels, fanned out (cucumber fan)
Cucumber Grapefruit Margarita
1.5 oz. blanco tequila
.5 oz. grapefruit liqueur
.5 oz. house cucumber syrup*
.75 oz. fresh lime juice
Glass: Rocks/Double Old Fashioned
Method: Combine all ingredients in shaker tin. Add ice and shake well 5-6 seconds. Strain into ice filled Rocks glass, using Hawthorne strainer.
Garnish: Cucumber wheel and half salted rim
Cucumber Cilantro Margarita
1.5 oz. blanco tequila
.75 oz. triple sec
.5 oz. house cucumber syrup*
.75 oz. fresh lime juice
2 fresh cilantro sprigs
Glassware: Rocks/Double Old Fashioned
Method: Combine all ingredients in shaker tin. Add ice and shake well 5-6 seconds. Double strain into ice filled Rocks glass, using Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer.
Garnish: Cucumber wheel and half salted rim
Treat Yo Self
2 oz. cucumber gin
.75 oz. cucumber syrup*
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
6-8 fresh mint leaves
4 drops rose water
Glassware: Cocktail/Up/Martini
Method: Combine all ingredients in shaker tin. Add ice and shake well 8-10 seconds. Double strain into chilled cocktail glass, using Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer.
Garnish: Cucumber wheel and single smacked mint leaf
*Cucumber Syrup
1 cup fresh cucumber juice (juiced using a juice extractor or blender, then finely strained through mesh strainer and cheesecloth. Peel cucumber for less color, or leave on for more green color)
1 cup superfine sugar
Salt to taste
Method: Combine cucumber juice, sugar, and salt in a pitcher or glass jar. Stir thoroughly until sugar is completely dissolved. Refrigerate. Optional: Add 1 oz. vodka per 24 oz. syrup, as a preservative.