“Cool as a cucumber” — this phrase has a lot of truth in it, and it becomes even more apparent when you make your very own Cucumber Martinis!

This drink is just so wonderfully refreshing that it’s impossible not to try it when you have a handful of cucumbers in your home garden. As you might already know, cucumbers have a high water content, which makes them the perfect ingredient for a cold beverage. In fact, cucumber infusions are so popular that they’re not just used for drinks — even spa water can be cucumber-infused!

When making Cucumber Martinis, any cucumber variety will taste good, but I’d personally recommend either English cucumbers or lemon cucumbers. English cucumbers have a milder, slightly sweeter taste compared to Slicers, which tend to be on the bitter side of the spectrum. Lemon cucumbers, on the other hand, are more of an aesthetic choice because of their interesting appearance, although they can be just as tasty and refreshing as any cucumber variety.

For the beverage, vodka or gin are great choices for Cucumber Martinis. As mentioned, there are lots of cucumber-infused drinks out there, so if you happen to chance upon some cucumber-infused vodka, don’t hesitate to try that out when making this drink!

Since we’re talking about martinis, you might remember James Bond’s famous line: “Shaken, not stirred.” Yes, you will be doing some vigorous shaking for around 30 seconds to melt the ice and let all the flavors blend nicely. Of course, it’s best to enjoy your Cucumber Martinis poolside, but you can always have a nice sip while relaxing on your couch!

Cucumber Martinis

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Be cool as a cucumber when you serve these refreshing Cucumber Martinis poolside!

• Author: Norann Oleson
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: Serves 1
• Category: Beverages

Ingredients

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• 3 thick slices of cucumber
• 2 1/2 ounces vodka (plain or cucumber-infused) or gin
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1 cup ice
• 1 to 3 thin cucumber slices

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Instructions

1. Put the three thick slices of cucumber in a cocktail shaker or a jar with a screw top. (Note, depending on the size of your shaker, you can make more than one serving at a time.) Muddle (crush) the cucumbers with a muddler or wooden spoon.
2. Pour in the vodka (or gin) and vermouth. Swirl to combine.
3. Add the ice and put the top on the shaker (or jar). Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. This will melt the ice a bit to blend and round out the flavors.
4. Strain the liquid into a martini glass, or glass of your choice.
5. Add the three thin slices of cucumber to the glass. Cheers!

Cucumbers are easy to grow and will reward you with delicious dishes and health benefits! Check out our Cucumber Growers Gardening Guide, and you’ll have everything you need to know about growing and enjoying this versatile food.

Have you tried this recipe for Cucumber Martinis? It’s so easy and so fresh with a plate of crudité—please tell us how it turned out for you.