Cucumber Collins – Cocktail of the Week

Crisp. Refreshing. Perfect for the weekend ahead.

This drink must be good for you, it's got a vegetable in it!

I first learned about the Cucumber Collins during my bartending days in Red Bank.

It's a take on a Tom Collins, which is basically gin with sparkling lemonade.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. gin (Hendrick's is especially good in this)
• 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• splash of orange juice
• club soda
• cucumber slice to garnish

Muddle the chopped cucumber with the gin. Strain the cucumber gin into a shaker. Add simple syrup and juices. Shake with ice, and strain into a collins glass with fresh ice (or pour the contents of the shaker into a glass if you're feeling lazy), adding club soda to top the drink. Garnish with cucumber slice.

This drink is a bit of work, but it's totally worth it! Like a kicked up sparkling lemonade with a refreshing finish.

Switch it up:

Forget the muddling, and use cucumber vodka!
Use pink grapefruit juice instead of lemon juice.
Add mint for an extra layer of flavor.

*Please drink responsibly.*

Do you have a great cocktail recipe? Tell us in the comment section below!