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If you think cucumbers are boring, this drink will make you reconsider your position!
Here, unpeeled cucumbers (which give the co*cktail its deep green hue) are puréed with mint and tarragon to make an ambrosial juice. The purée is then strained, and the resulting juice is shaken with Hendrick’s gin and elderflower liqueur until ice cold.
The tarragon and mint pick up the delicate herbal notes that Hendrick’s is so famous for, while the elderflower liqueur brings a little sweetness to the drink. Cucumbers have never tasted so luscious!
Cucumber martini with Hendrick’s gin and tarragon
serves 2
active time: 15 min
For the cucumber juice
- 8 oz (225 g) seedless cucumber (half a medium cucumber) – unpeeled and cut in 2″ pieces
- 4 large mint leaves
- 1 sprig tarragon
For the co*cktail
- 4 1/2 oz (135 ml) Hendrick’s Gin
- 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) cucumber juice (see Step 1)
- 3/4 oz (20 ml) St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- cucumber sticks as garnish
- Step 1: To make the cucumber juice – Place the cucumber, mint and tarragon in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Then process until liquidy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve suspended over a bowl. With a silicone spatula, stir the purée until all the juice has been strained. You should have 3/4 cup (6 oz) (175 ml) of juice – enough to make 8 martinis. Transfer juice into a squeeze bottle and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.
- Step 2: To make the co*cktail – Shake the gin, cucumber juice and liqueur with ice cubes until a thin layer of frost appears on the outside of the shaker. Pour into martini glasses, garnish with a cucumber stick and serve immediately.
co*cktails, martini, cucumber
29 Comments
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June 30, 2012 at 7:45 pm ·Reply
Cucumber is my favorite hydrating food for eating and drinking. Though, Martinis are not common in our home but I add cucumber to my water and love its refreshing taste.
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May 30, 2012 at 12:37 am ·Reply
Love it! Saving it! Trying it! 🙂
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May 30, 2012 at 7:07 am ·Reply
Anita! You sure make me smile… Cheers!
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May 26, 2012 at 7:16 am ·Reply
This looks so beautiful my friend – I may not be of age to drink it but I can appreciate it no problem 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru-
May 26, 2012 at 9:10 am ·Reply
Choc Chip Uru, Thank you! You are so sweet… no pun intended! 🙂
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May 25, 2012 at 11:15 am ·Reply
I recently commented on a blog that I was ready for a big glass of cucumber juice-how telepathic for you to post this. It looks so vibrant and tasty! I am ready for happy hour now.
Enjoy the weekend!-
May 25, 2012 at 4:53 pm ·Reply
Tina! I’m very happy for that. Wishing you a delicious weekend and may you get your glass of cucumber juice! Cheers…
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May 12, 2012 at 10:58 pm ·Reply
Shut. The. Front. Door. Gin? Tarragon? OMGosh.
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Donna Ford
February 2, 2012 at 6:49 pm ·Reply
Beautiful photo! Your drink is so pretty and refreshing looking too! Can’t wait to try it. Yummy
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Stephen T.
September 1, 2011 at 1:27 pm ·Reply
Okay, this is the best co*cktail I’ve ever had, and many guests through the summer have said the same. Truly. A couple of thoughts: One, the process of pureeing and straining is laborious and gives a limited yield. If you have a good juicer the whole thing takes seconds and you get half again as much juice out of the same quantity of mint, cucumber and tarragon. Two, it is exceptionally and stealthily strong, so strong that after two of them I opened the oven to remove a dish and pulled the rack out without bothering to use a potholder. Third degree burns, but all was well — I was too drunk to feel it. We’ve given this a name, which a great co*cktail needs: Liquid Jade. Many many thanks for this immortal recipe!
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September 1, 2011 at 2:31 pm ·Reply
Stephen! I am really sorry about your burn – yikes! Make sure you serve hors d’oeuvres when you indulge in more than one “Liquid Jade” (I love the name by the way!)… About the juicer: Using a juicer for making the cucumber base is a great idea… I do not happen to have one, hence my resorting to my chef-y ways of doing things.
I’m thrilled you love this cucumber martini. I must say that I’ve been making it often this summer too… But I try not to serve more than one round!
Thank you so much for your comment… raising a glass to you!
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August 6, 2011 at 12:37 am ·Reply
See AlsoOne of the Best Crostini RecipesCucumber, mint, tarragon…what a refreshing and delightful idea! Gin-based co*cktails are always my favourites.
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July 31, 2011 at 11:56 pm ·Reply
Congratulations on making Food Buzz’s Top 9! This was SO beautiful!
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August 1, 2011 at 2:15 am ·Reply
Dear Ann, you are so very wonderful – thank you!
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July 31, 2011 at 10:10 am ·Reply
Outstanding! I drink cucumber juice all the time and I never even considered boozing it up 🙂 Well done! Buzzed
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July 31, 2011 at 11:00 am ·Reply
Parsley sage, Yes… your comment made me laugh out loud! Thank you for that good dose of serotonin! Enjoy the boozed up version of cucumber juice!
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July 30, 2011 at 12:26 am ·Reply
I can honestly say I’ve never thought of cucumber in a co*cktail….you made a beautiful drink that sounds delicious! I may have to try it….
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July 29, 2011 at 9:30 pm ·Reply
You, my dear are awesome! Your recipes and presentation never disappoint.
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July 29, 2011 at 7:03 pm ·Reply
Oh, the color is just amazing…breathtaking even. Lovely co*cktail~
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July 29, 2011 at 1:29 pm ·Reply
Thank you so much Visda!
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July 29, 2011 at 1:26 pm ·Reply
Wow! This looks gorgeous. So refreshing and summery. This can be my favorite drink for this season. Thanks for sharing the great idea.
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July 29, 2011 at 12:59 pm ·Reply
Isabelle! I so agree with you, cucumber makes such refreshing drinks. A margarita sounds divine! Have a great weekend… Cin Cin!
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July 29, 2011 at 10:50 am ·Reply
This sounds lovely! I’ve started to develop an appreciation for cucumber-based co*cktails in the past couple of years, starting with a really wonderful cucumber margarita.
I love the way you’ve added tarragon for another layer of fresh, green flavour here… adding this to my must-try list for the long weekend! -
July 28, 2011 at 10:24 am ·Reply
Oh heck yes! One of my fave drinks is to muddle some sage and cucumber, then shake with St. Germain and Hendrick’s gin. I’ll have to try this, because I love tarragon.
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July 29, 2011 at 12:57 pm ·Reply
Ou la la… your version sounds delish tooI
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VIVIANE
Chef, farmer & photographer. I love to create exuberant, modern, seasonal, gourmet-yet-simple recipes. My motto: Flavor first! And... Food is love.
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