A cucumber gin and tonic is my favorite way to make a gin and tonic without lime. G&Ts are traditionally served over ice. However, I love to swap out the ice for cucumber popsicles. A beautiful way to present this classic gin cocktail.
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I love taking classic cocktails and making slight adjustments to the recipes. From our mezcal mule to vodka margaritas, this is what makes cocktails at home so fun. You can make small adjustments for a totally new experience.
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📖Why This Recipe Works
I have taken the classic G&T and said no lime, instead, we are doing cucumber. Cucumber gives a refreshing feel to the cocktail and is great for those who like cocktails without citrus.
It is a variation of a frozen gin and tonic, but not slushy. By adding a cucumber popsicle, we are making all sorts of fun for summer but you can also use just plain cucumber slices.
🧾Ingredient Notes
A classic gin and tonic cocktail is just that; gin plus tonic water. But let's break it down a little more.
Best Gin for a Gin & Tonic
The best gin is always the one you like that is in your price range. Local distilleries in your area may also provide great options. The 4 most popular brands are Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater, and Hendrick's. The first three are brands that are infused with citrus peel and botanicals, hence the typical lime garnish.
Hendrick's original gin recipe is infused with rose and cucumber making it the best choice for our cucumber gin cocktail.
Cucumbers- A cucumber will small seeds works best, that means an English cucumber or a small Persian cucumber.
Tonic Water- Popular brands are Schweppes and Canada Dry but I typically avoid them as they are higher in calories due to using high fructose corn syrup. I recommend Fever Tree or Whole Foods 365 brand.
Optional Ingredients- A sprig of mint, a few basil leaves, and even a complimentary lime wedge can round out the drink but are totally optional and should be used in moderation.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
⏲️How to Make a Gin and Tonic with Cucumber
Gin and tonics are traditionally served over ice. However, I love to swap out the ice for cucumber popsicles. Just a fun way to change up the drink. either way- this recipe is so simple to make.
Fill your glass with ice and add the cucumber slices. You can use a short or tall highball glass. Adjusting the amount of tonic water will make the drink taste stronger or weaker so use the glass of your preference.
Top with 4 to 6 ounces of tonic water and garnish with extra cucumber.
Cucumber Popsicles
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and puree until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds or ice cube trays and freeze until solid, about 4 hours. Use in place of the ice in the gin and tonic if desired.
🥗What to Serve with Gin and Tonics
Any flavor of duck fat popcorn, roasted salsa with chips, and beet and goat cheese bites are always fun options. But check out all our gluten-free appetizers.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Don't just garnish with the cucumber. And while I don't recommend muddled cucumber, I do recommend placing the cucumber in the bottom of the glass so it infuses the gin. Add fresh herbs for a fun twist.
- Do not use a cocktail shaker to make this drink. The tonic water is carbonated and will fizz everywhere and lose its bubbles faster.
- Use canned tonic water for small get-togethers and larger 1-liter bottles for parties. Tonic water doesn't last and goes flat within a day of being opened.
💭 Variations
To make a frozen gin and tonic put all the ingredients in a blender and pulse until slushy. Serve with extra slices of cucumber.
🔪Equipment
While you can make this recipe with just a slice of cucumber and ice when making for a party, I always want a fun presentation. But also, easy and no fuss. You can make the popsicles in your favorite popsicle mold. If you don't want to buy a popsicle mold, just for this try making them in a silicone ice cube tray.
🌡️Storage
The cucumber popsicles will keep for 4 weeks in the freezer if left in their original molds.
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💬Frequently Asked Questions
Hendrick's gin is gluten-free. All liquors that follow a traditional distillation process are considered to be gluten-free as the gluten solid are removed during this process.
A classic gin and tonic has no added sugar in the form of simple syrup. However, tonic water is made from water, sugar, and quinine and does contain sugar. Therefore, a gin and tonic does contain sugar.
Tonic water is a beverage that is made from carbonated water, quinine, and sugar. Quinine is extracted from the bark of the South American cinchona tree. It gives the water and bitter herbal flavor which is then balanced by the addition of the sugar.
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📖 Recipe
Cucumber Gin and Tonic
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Hendricks gin
- 4 ounces tonic water
- 3 slices English cucumber
Cucumber Popsicles (optional- makes 6 popsicles)
- 1 English cucumber
- 1 lime juiced
Instructions
- Add ice and cucumber slices to a glass or add one cucumber popsicle.3 slices English cucumber
- Add gin and top with tonic water.1½ ounces Hendricks gin, 4 ounces tonic water
Cucumber Popsicles (optional- makes 6 popsicles)
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and puree until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until solid, about 4 hours.1 English cucumber, 1 lime
Video
Notes
- Making a cucumber popsicle or ice cube is optional but a great treat in the summer.
- If using ice and cucumber slices, do not muddle the cucumber, it leaves large unpleasant chunks in the drink.
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