The humble cucumber may be a staple for your regular garden salad, but for the right gin, it makes a refreshing and elegant complement when used to garnish all manner of summertime gin cocktails!
Whether you’re looking to add a touch of sophistication to your drink, or simply enhance the crisp, fresh flavours of your favourite gin, a cucumber garnish is the perfect choice.
One of the most popular ways to use cucumber as a garnish is to float thin slices on the top, or pressed against the rim of the glass. This adds a lovely crunch to your drink, and is especially effective when paired with a London Dry, herbal or floral-forward gin and tonic. To easily create this garnish, use a vegetable peeler or a mandoline slicer to create thin rounds. Wafer thin is the goal if you need to maniuplate the cucumber into any fun shapes.
Another delicious way to use cucumber as a garnish is to add it to the drink itself. Try adding long ribbons around the internal walls of your glass – chill the glass in the freezer beforehand to help it adhere – then fill with plenty of ice. This technique is particularly effective when making a tall drink like a Spritz, Collins or Gin Fizz.
Finally, if you’re looking for some extra ‘wow’, you can create cucumber roses on a skewer or cocktail pick. It might take some practice to get it just right, but this is sure to add some flair to your drink, and maximise the cucumber aroma with every sip! Simply roll long ribbons into a concertina before skewering, or roll up individual slices into a rose shape and insert into a hollowed out round. Perfect for a refreshing garden spin on a martini or Southside.
Overall, cucumber is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used to add a freshness that citrus just can’t beat. Try upgrading your next G&T, or cocktail (anything with lime or mint is a great place to start!).
