Spirit Free Recipe
Make Spirit Free Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Drink
Garnish
Method
Drink
- 1
Prepare cucumber and mint
Wash the cucumber and mint. From the cucumber, use a vegetable peeler to shave two long ribbons and set them aside for garnish. Cut 4 thin slices from the remaining cucumber for muddling. Pick 6 mint leaves from the stems and reserve two small sprigs for garnish.
- 2
Muddle
In a cocktail shaker or sturdy mixing glass, add the 4 cucumber slices, 4 mint leaves and the simple syrup (15 ml). Muddle gently for 10–15 seconds until the cucumber releases its juice and the mint is aromatic. Avoid over-muddling the mint into a bitter paste—just press to release oils.
- 3
Build the drink
Add the non-alcoholic gin (120 ml), elderflower cordial (30 ml) and fresh lime juice (30 ml) to the shaker. Add about 6 ice cubes to the shaker (keep 2 cubes for the glasses). Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 8–10 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch. If you prefer less dilution, stir with ice in a mixing glass for 10 seconds instead of shaking.
- 4
Strain and top
Place 4 ice cubes into each of two highball or Collins glasses (total 8 cubes). Double-strain the shaken mixture evenly between the two glasses to remove cucumber and mint solids. Top each glass with 120 ml chilled tonic water (240 ml total). Gently stir once with a bar spoon to integrate the tonic without flattening the carbonation.
- 5
Taste and adjust
Taste one glass. If you prefer it sweeter, add 5–10 ml simple syrup to that glass and stir gently. If brighter acidity is desired, add a few drops of lime juice (5–10 ml) and stir.
Garnish
- 6
Finish and present
Twist a cucumber ribbon and tuck it inside each glass along the inner wall so it curls around the ice. Float a lime wheel on the top of each drink. Lightly clap the remaining mint sprig between your palms to bloom the aroma and lay one sprig on each glass as a garnish. Optionally, rest a final very thin cucumber slice on the rim.
