Cucumber Gimlet with Gin

The Cucumber Gimlet is a refreshing, anytime cocktail! Made with 5 simple ingredients, this gin cucumber cocktail is the perfect thing to whip up on short notice.

For the curious drinker, the gimlet cocktail is thought to have originated as early as the 18th century, and has been made with gin for most of its history (vodka has occasionally been popular, but gin has reigned supreme).

For decades the Gimlet Cocktail was made with a sweet bottled lime mix called Rose’s Lime Cordial. You can still find the cordial today (which dates back to the 1860s), but I prefer a mix of fresh lime juice and simple syrup.

If you opt to use Rose’s lime mix instead of fresh lime juice, skip the simple syrup since the mix is already sweetened. I recommend using 1 ounce of lime cordial to 2 ounces of gin. 

Ingredients Needed

• Cucumber: I recommend using an English cucumber instead of a regular pole cucumber. They’re mild, nearly seedless and have a thin skin.
• Gin: with such a short ingredient list, it’s important to use high-quality gin. I like Beefeater, Plymouth Gin, Tanqueray or Hendrick’s. 
• Fresh lime juice: fresh is always best in cocktails—it makes all the difference. 
• Sweetener: opt for simple syrup over a natural sweetener to keep the flavor bright and clean.

Up or on the Rocks

Classic gimlet recipes are served up, in a martini glass or coupe glass. But this isn’t a classic recipe, so why serve it that way? I like to strain my cucumber gimlet over ice in a rocks glass.

If you plan to keep things traditional and serve the cucumber cocktail up, make sure you adequately chill the martini glass or coupe glass prior to making the drink. I recommend popping the glass in the freezer about 10 minutes before you shake up the cocktail.

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