Cocktail time!! The sun is finally shining, and it is a balmy 75 degrees here in Seattle, time to celebrate! As you know, I am addicted to cocktails made with cucumber. If I am ever out and see one on the menu, I look no further. I am starting to think I am not the only one out there, since I am starting to see them more and more – which makes me very happy…
About a year ago in New York City, I met an old friend from high school at Mercer Kitchen in SOHO. I heard the bar was decent, but I had no idea what I was in for. I got there first, and I didn’t see a cocktail menu, so I just went safe and ordered a Cosmopolitan. It was excellent, I must say. My friend came, and she ordered one as well. Just as they were delivering her drink, I noticed the bartender out of the corner of my eye – she was garnishing a martini glass with a cucumber. I asked her what it was, and she told me it was a Cucumber Mint Martini (or something like that) – I really only heard the cucumber part, and I ordered one. It was amazing – seriously amazing, I had two. I don’t drink a lot, but these were just too good. My friend also ordered a couple and she was hooked.
It just so happens that this friend moved to Seattle just nine months later…and I told her that when I have her over for dinner, that I would figure out the recipe for our favorite drink. I think I got it – at least she thinks so as well. Now I keep sliced cucumbers and simple syrup in the refrigerator so I am ready whenever I get the urge…just like tonight.
Ingredients
- 5 thin slices of cucumber
- 1 1/2 tablespoons simple syrup
- 10 mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup Hendrick’s Gin (or Vodka if you prefer)
- Ice
Preparation
To make simple syrup, put equal parts of sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat until all the sugar is dissolved and bowl for a few minutes. Cool.
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber, simple syrup and mint leaves. Add the fresh lime juice and the gin or vodka. Shake with ice, then strain in a martini glass.
Makes 1 delicious martini.
For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, please click here: Cucumber and Mint Martini
First Look, Then Cook 
Cucumber and mint is such a delicious combination! This sounds like a marvelous cocktail. LOVING the sun in Seattle!
yum! I love cucumber cocktails.
Improvement: St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur instead of simple syrup. Thank me later;-)
Oh yes, that would be divine!! I will definitely be trying that this summer. Thanks!!
Thank you for posting this! I’ve had the cocktail at Mercer Kitchen and your recipe nails it. Thanks to you, my family, friends and I have had many gin-infused evenings. :-)
Thanks for the comment John – you made my day!! So glad you liked the recipe, and even happier that you thought it was like the one at Mercer Kitchen!