Cucumber Martini
This Cucumber Martini is a crisp, cooling cocktail made with fresh cucumber, lime, and vodka or gin. Light, refreshing, and not too sweet—perfect for warm evenings, happy hour, or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4-5 thin slices fresh cucumber plus extra for garnish; English (seedless) cucumber preferred
- 2 oz vodka or gin use a smooth vodka or botanical gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice freshly squeezed
- 0.75 oz simple syrup equal parts sugar and water, cooled; adjust to taste
- 2-3 leaves fresh mint optional, for a cucumber mint twist
- ice cubes fresh ice for shaking
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt optional; brightens the flavors
- cucumber ribbon, wheel, or slice for garnish
Instructions
- Place a martini glass in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to chill. A frosty glass keeps the martini colder longer and feels extra special.
- Add 4–5 cucumber slices (and mint leaves, if using) to a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon until the cucumber releases its juice and fragrance without over-crushing.4-5 thin slices fresh cucumber, 2-3 leaves fresh mint
- Pour the vodka or gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup into the shaker. Add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt, if using.2 oz vodka or gin, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.75 oz simple syrup, 1 pinch flaky sea salt
- Fill the shaker about three-quarters full with ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is very cold and frosty.ice cubes
- Remove the martini glass from the freezer. Double strain the cocktail by pouring it through a fine-mesh strainer over the shaker’s strainer into the glass to catch cucumber bits and seeds.
- Garnish with a cucumber ribbon, wheel, or slice, or a small mint sprig if desired. Serve immediately while ice-cold.cucumber ribbon, wheel, or slice
Notes
Variations: For a Spicy Cucumber Martini, muddle 2–3 thin slices jalapeño or serrano with the cucumber. For a Cucumber Lime Martini, increase lime juice to 1.25 oz and reduce simple syrup to 0.5 oz. For a Cucumber Mint Martini, muddle 4–5 mint leaves with the cucumber and garnish with mint. For a Cucumber Elderflower Martini, swap half the simple syrup for 0.5 oz St-Germain. For a Cucumber Infused Martini, infuse vodka or gin with cucumber slices for 24–48 hours, strain, and use in place of plain spirit. For a lighter “skinny” version, reduce simple syrup to 0.25–0.5 oz and top with a splash of soda water. Make-ahead: Pre-mix spirit, lime juice, and simple syrup up to 24 hours ahead and chill; muddle fresh cucumber and shake to order. Cucumber-infused vodka or gin keeps up to 1 week in the fridge. Simple syrup keeps up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcal
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