Recipe type: Cocktail
Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Learn how to make a refreshing cucumber and mint gimlet. This naturally sweetened cucumber cocktail is perfect for warm days.

INGREDIENTS
Per cocktail
2-inch slice of peeled cucumber, halved and then quartered
10 mint leaves
1½ teaspoons light agave nectar or simple syrup
1 lime, juiced
1½ ounces gin, preferably Hendrick’s

INSTRUCTIONS
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber, mint and agave nectar until the cucumber offers no more resistance.
Fill the shaker with ice, then pour in the lime juice and gin. Put the lid on your shaker and shake until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish with a tiny sprig of mint, if you'd like.

NOTES
Recipe adapted from my basil gimlet cocktail.

PREPARATION TIPS: If you're going to be making a lot of these, you might want to make cucumber juice like I did in this watermelon-cucumber cocktail instead of muddling tons of cucumber.

CHANGE IT UP: You can use vodka if you don't like gin. Other ideas: substitute basil for mint, and/or add a little splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and/or muddle some fresh jalapeño with the cucumber.

IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE: You'll also love my beautiful red bell cocktail (red bell pepper, basil and gin), grapefruit, gin and rosemary honey cocktail and bootleg cocktail (blended mint lemon-limeade with any liquor).