Towpath Cucumber Recipe

Name: The Merchant Taverns Towpath Cucumber Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 oz American gin; 1 cup fresh cucumber (peeled and sliced); 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice; 0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water); 1 oz club soda (optional, for topping); 1 cup ice; 1 piece cucumber ribbon or wheel (garnish); 1 piece lemon twist or wheel (garnish); 1 piece cocktail shaker; 1 piece muddler or wooden spoon; 1 piece fine mesh strainer; 1 piece jigger; 1 piece highball or Collins glass

Inspired by The Merchant Tavern

Time10m

Serves1

American Gin, Cucumber, Lemon Juice

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

2 oz American gin

1 cup fresh cucumber (peeled and sliced)

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)

1 oz club soda (optional, for topping)

1 cup ice

1 piece cucumber ribbon or wheel (garnish)

1 piece lemon twist or wheel (garnish)

Tools

1 piece cocktail shaker

1 piece muddler or wooden spoon

1 piece fine mesh strainer

1 piece jigger

1 piece highball or Collins glass

Method

Cocktail

Prepare cucumber

Place the peeled and sliced cucumber (about 1 cup) into the cocktail shaker. Using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon, muddle the cucumber firmly until it's thoroughly crushed and releases bright green juice and aroma (approximately 20–30 seconds).

Add spirits and citrus

Add 2 oz American gin, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup into the shaker with the muddled cucumber.

Shake with ice

Fill the shaker with ice (about 1 cup), cap, and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the shaker feels cold to the touch and the mixture is well chilled.

Double strain

Using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer (or just the fine mesh), pour the cocktail into a chilled highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Double-straining removes cucumber solids for a silky texture.

Top and garnish

If desired, top with 1 oz club soda for a lighter finish and gently stir once to combine. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon or wheel and a lemon twist or wheel. Serve immediately.

Optional variation

For a brighter herbaceous note, add 2–3 fresh mint leaves to the shaker with the cucumber before muddling. If you prefer a drier cocktail, reduce simple syrup to 0.25 oz; for sweeter, increase to 0.75–1 oz.

Tools

Use the jigger to measure gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Muddle with the muddler in the shaker, then strain through the fine mesh to remove solids. Serve in the glass listed.