Spring is officially here and there’s no better way to celebrate than with cucumber craft cocktails from local Minnesota mixologists. Check out these five signature drinks that take a flavorful twist on classic concoctions.
Cucumber Mint Martini
Ingredients:
– 2 diced coins of sliced, peeled cucumber
– 4-6 mint leaves
– 1 ounce fresh lime juice
– 1 ounce simple syrup*
– 1¾ ounces premium vodka
– ¼ ounce Cointreau or TripleSec
Directions:
1. Muddle cucumber, mint leaves, lime juice and simple syrup in shaker.
2. Add ice and liquor.
3. Shake, then strain into glass and garnish with an unpeeled cucumber slice.
Courtesy of D’Amico Catering
Cucumber-Lime Mojito
Ingredients:
– 3 diced coins of peeled sliced English cucumber
– 5-6 mint leaves
– 1¼ ounces simple syrup*
– 1 ounce fresh lime juice
– 1½ ounces rum (golden preferred)
– Ice
– Club soda
Directions:
1. In a shaker, combine and muddle the cucumber slices, mint leaves, simple syrup and lime juice.
2. Add the rum and ice.
3. Shake and strain into iced Collins glass (leave a little crushed cucumber and mint in the glass).
4. Top with club soda and garnish with unpeeled cucumber wheel and mint sprig.
Courtesy of D’Amico Catering
Cucumber-Cello
Ingredients:
– 1 ounce vodka (your choice)
– ½ ounce Limoncello
– 2 ounces lemonade
– 2 diced coins of sliced, peeled cucumber
Directions:
1. Pour vodka and limoncello into a heavy bottomed glass.
2. Add a few cucumber slices and muddle them with the vodka and limoncello to release the juices.
3. Strain using a fine mesh strainer to remove any pulp and seeds, and then pour over ice.
4. Top with the lemonade and garnish with a cucumber slice.
Courtesy of Parma 8200
Cucumber Margarita
Ingredients:
– 1½ ounces Cucumber/Mint Infused Blanco Tequila*
– ½ ounce Cointreau, Triple Sec, or other orange liqueur
– 2½ ounces margarita Mix
Directions
1. In a shaker with ice add all ingredients and shake well.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass with fresh ice and garnish with a thin slice of cucumber.
3. Masa mixologists use a mandolin to make long, thin slices of cucumber to wrap around the inside of the glass.
Courtesy of Masa
Cucumber/Mint Infused BlancoTequila
Ingredients:
– 1 liter Blanco Tequila
– 2 English Cucumbers, peeled to give a striped appearance (too much green skin produces a bitter taste) and cut into 1/4 inch coins
– 2 ounces fresh mint leaves without stalks
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight lid.
2. Steep and refrigerate for a minimum of 35 hours.
3. Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer to remove any sediment from the cucumber and mint, then pour back into bottle.
4. Place a fresh piece of cucumber in bottle for identification.
5. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
6. Can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
