This Cucumber Cocktail recipe includes a homemade basil sugar syrup, gin and lemonade for a refreshing summer cocktail that is quick to whip up.
In the heat of summer, when you can't be bothered putting much effort into your food or drinks, this cucumber and basil cocktail isn't too sweet, but has plenty of flavor and is full of freshness.
Why you'll love this
Fresh flavors
The basil infused sugar syrup with the muddled cucumber gives a fresh flavor that makes this recipe one you might want to double!
Not too sweet
Thanks to the savory notes in the basil and cucumber, this cocktail has just the right notes of sweetness to balance out the flavors.
Ingredients and substitutions for Cucumber Cocktail
- Fresh basil: Fresh basil infuses the sugar syrup with full flavor whilst additional
- Sugar: Superfine/caster sugar works best here for adding sweetness without adding additional flavor.
- Fresh cucumber: Small cucumber's have the strongest flavor, however, any fresh cucumber would work here to infuse the cocktail.
- Fresh lemon: Fresh lemon juice compliments the lemonade and gin alongside the other ingredients.
- Gin: The herbal undertones in gin make this liqour to compliment the cocktail, however, if you do not have this on hand, vodka or tequila.
- Lemonade: Lemonade soda works best to add the bubbles and sweetness to this cocktail.
Equipment needed to make this
Saucepan: A small saucepan is best here to create the basil sugar syrup.
Cocktail shaker: A cocktail shaker was used to muddle the ingredients in and combine and rapidly chills and dilutes the alcohol whilst giving you a consistent taste throughout the drink.
Strainer: To strain the drink into your glasses.
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How to make Cucumber Cocktail:
Place the sugar, water and a couple of stalks of basil into a saucepan on medium heat, simmering until the sugar has dissolved and the basil has turned the syrup slightly green.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Squeeze the basil completely of the sugar syrup and discard.
Place the basil sugar syrup, cucumber, basil, lemon wedges, gin and a couple of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and combine until cool.
Place a little ice into your glasses and decorate with a sliver of cucumber along the edge.
Strain into your serving glasses and finish with lemonade and more ice if needed.
Serve immediately with a basil leaf.
Cucumber Cocktail
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Category: Drinks
Description
This Cucumber Cocktail recipe includes a homemade basil sugar syrup, gin and lemonade for a refreshing summer cocktail that is quick to whip up.
Ingredients
Basil Sugar Syrup
28 grams / 2 tablespoons superfine/caster sugar
28 grams / 2 tablespoons water
5 leaves fresh basil
Cucumber Cocktail
180 milliliters / 4 shots gin
2 inch thick slice cucumber
1 lemon, sliced into wedges
1 cup lemonade
Ice to serve
Instructions
Basil sugar syrup
- Place the sugar, water and a couple of stalks of basil into a saucepan on medium heat, simmering until the sugar has dissolved and the basil has turned the syrup slightly green.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Squeeze the basil completely of the sugar syrup and discard.
Cucumber cocktail
- Place the basil sugar syrup, cucumber, basil, lemon wedges, gin and a couple of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and combine until cool.
- Place a little ice into your glasses and decorate with a sliver of cucumber along the edge.
- Strain into your serving glasses and finish with lemonade and more ice if needed.
- Serve immediately with a basil leaf.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe by Roamingtaste
Nutrition
- Calories: 355 calories per serve
Keywords: alcohol cocktail, cucumber drink, gin drink
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