It's crisp and refreshing! This Cucumber Gimlet Cocktail is perfection. Just a few ingredients, this vodka drink is ready in just minutes!
Sometimes when you try a new cocktail it leaves a big impression. That's what happened when I had a Cucumber Gimlet in a restaurant a few years ago. It was refreshing, simple and full of cucumber flavor.
I'd think about its clean and slightly sweet taste and wish I was sipping one on a breezy patio. Then I'd get lazy and go pour a glass of wine.
But when I had to make my own cucumber vodka for another cocktail idea, I knew it was a perfect time! If you love easy vodka recipes, you'll love this simple drink!
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Why This Recipe Works
Easy mixed drinks are my jam. And this one is SO easy.
It does take a few days to make the vodka at first but even that is crazy easy. Cucumber is one of my favorite cocktail ingredients (This Cucumber Margarita is another must-try!).
It pairs well with lots of other flavors and is refreshing and easy to work with, especially vodka.
I pretty much always have cucumbers in my fridge because it's one of the only veggies I can get my kids to eat regularly. And me too. I mean, it can't only be cocktails and desserts all the time, you know?
I like to keep my home bar small and not have tons of specialty ingredients. Classic cocktails are sometimes overlooked because they sound a bit overwhelming. But you have to give them a try!
This one is delicious, so quick and will show you that you can modify classic recipes in a variety of ways to make the most of what you have on your bar. Boom.
What's a Gimlet?
A Gimlet is a cocktail traditionally made with gin and lime juice. But it can also be made with vodka which is how I like them. It's typically 2 parts alcohol of choice to one part fresh lime juice but it can sometimes also have a splash of soda. And sometimes simple syrup.
Making drinks at home means you can truly make them your own! You can try out my basic Vodka Gimlet recipe here also. But you can also make a Tequila Gimlet which IS MY FAVORITE!!
Ingredients
- cucumber vodka
- Rose's Lime Juice
- Lime Wedge
- fresh cucumber
Although a traditional gimlet has 2 parts alcohol to 1 part lime, I switched it up a little because of using Rose's lime juice.
The Rose's is a little bit sweeter than fresh lime juice. And since this recipe is mostly alcohol, I wanted just a touch of sweetness. I didn't do a full ounce of Rose's lime because I don't like things overly sweet. This added the perfect touch.
I still added a little bit of fresh lime, since fresh lime juice makes EVERYTHING better. And the fresh cucumber helps round everything out even a little bit more.
How to Make A Cucumber Gimlet
Start by making homemade cucumber vodka.
It's super easy. Just follow this DIY Flavored Vodka tutorial and swap the oranges for cucumber. You will need to give it a few days.
Add the 2 slices of cucumber and lime juice wedge to the cocktail shaker.
Muddle them to break up the fruit and release their juices.
Add ice to the cocktail shaker.
Add vodka and Rose's lime juice.
Shake well and strain into a glass.
If you murdered the cucumber with the muddler, you might end up with some bits and pieces floating around in your cocktail. I don't mind that.
If you do, you can use one of those extra cocktail strainer things. You know, the cocktail tool that everyone has in their drawer but never uses (I think it's a Hawthorn strainer). Or you can hold a piece of cheesecloth over the top of the shaker to grab all the pieces.
Top it with a simple garnish of a slice of cucumber. And you're all set.
Do you love a gimlet or do you find them too much liquor? The Rose's lime juice really helps to make them more drinkable in my opinion. This Cucumber Gimlet is simple to make and smells amazing!
Variations
So if you don't have a few days to make your own cucumber vodka, just pick up a bottle of store-bought. The only flavored vodka that I've ever liked is the Cucumber Vodka from Skinny Girl.
You can also use plain vodka. In this case, you would want to muddle a few extra slices of cucumber. It won't give you as bold a cucumber flavor but it will still be delicious.
You can also blend up cucumbers in a blender before adding as I do in my Cucumber Marg recipe. It's a great way to pack in that flavor!
If you don't have Rose's Lime Juice on hand you can absolutely just use fresh lime and a touch of simple syrup (or use this sugar cube hack if you're just making one drink!) if you need it.
You can also add other flavors to this drink. Get creative! Use fresh herbs or basil simple syrup.
You can also use flavored bitters (lavender bitters are my fave!) to add more layers.
Related Recipes
- Best Cucumber Margarita Ever
- Nonalcoholic Cucumber Basil Soda (that you could totally add vodka too...just saying)
- Cucumber Basil Vodka Cocktail (this is a gimlet before I knew to call it a gimlet)
- Cucumber Cooler with Gin from Minimalist Baker
- If you like gin and tea, this is a recipe you need to check out!
- A Blood Orange Martini is pretty and delightfully easy to drink.
Cucumber Gimlet Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Cucumber Vodka (DIY or Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka)
- 1 tablespoon Rose's Lime Juice
- 1 wedge fresh lime
- 2 slices cucumber
Instructions
- In a shaker, add the cucumber slices and a wedge of fresh lime.
- Muddle the cucumber and lime juice.
- Add ice.
- Add vodka and Rose's lime juice and shake well.
- Strain into a glass.
- Garnish with cucumber.
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