Cucumber Refresher Recipe

Cocktail

1. 1

   Prep glass and cucumber

   Chill a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill with ice water while you prepare the cocktail. Thinly slice one fresh cucumber slice for garnish and set aside. Cut three additional thin slices (or one long ribbon) for muddling.

2. 2

   Muddle cucumber

   Place the three cucumber slices into a mixing glass or shaker. Add the simple syrup and fresh lime juice. Using a muddler, press and twist gently 6–8 times to release cucumber juice and aroma without pulverizing into a pulp.

3. 3

   Build and shake

   Add the Prairie Organic Cucumber Gin, sweet and sour mix, and a handful of ice (enough to half-fill the shaker) to the muddled cucumber. Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for about 10–12 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

4. 4

   Strain over fresh ice

   Discard the ice/water from the chilled glass if you used that method. Fill the glass with fresh cubed ice (about 1 cup). Double-strain the shaken mixture into the glass using a fine mesh strainer over a hawthorne/mesh to remove cucumber solids for a cleaner presentation.

5. 5

   Top and finish

   Top the cocktail with 2 oz chilled soda water. Give the drink one gentle stir (1–2 rotations) to integrate the soda without flattening it. Slap the reserved cucumber garnish between your palms to release aroma and rest it on the rim or float it on top.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve immediately with a short cocktail straw. Optionally provide a small spoon for any remaining muddled cucumber at the bottom. Adjust sweet/sour to taste by adding up to 0.25 oz more simple syrup or 0.25 oz more lime juice.