We’re in Charleston this weekend for my college roommate’s wedding party! Katy and I were roommates for four years (in the same little room!) and we’re still friends – that’s a special kind of friendship if you ask me. Those days take me back to our culinary adventures like fancy-ing up a can of tuna or bowl or ramen. And as far as drinks go, redheaded sluts were a favorite. I’m pretty sure this little drink is the opposite of that, way more fresh and sophisticated. But don’t get intimidated by its fanciness, it’s seriously simple to mix together. Taking a sip of this is like drinking straight from the garden after a summer downpour. This drink is so cool, crisp and sparkling, just skip the gin if you want to drink it all day long.
Ingredients for Two Cucumber Cocktails
1 cucumber
2 teaspoons raw sugar
1 lime
4 ounces gin
a few sprigs of basil
Club soda (for serving)
Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, shave 4 long, thin ribbons from cucumber; set aside. Cut four thin slices from the lime, save the reminder for the juice. Cut a 4″ piece from remaining cucumber and coarsely chop. Muddle the cucumber with the sugar, 2 lime slices and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add gin and lime juice and fill shaker with ice. Cover and shake until outside of shaker is frosty, about 20 seconds.
Strain into 2 glasses. Top off each with club soda. Garnish each with 2 reserved cucumber ribbons and remaining lime slices and basil.
Notes
Adapted from here.