I’ve been thinking about your weekend.
I actually started thinking about your weekend last Monday… that’s how I operate.
I was thinking that these Cucumber Gin Salt and Pepper Cups would be an amazing addition to your sleeping in, late breakfasting, and shoe shopping. That’s totally your weekend right? Stress-free and shoppy? I know… me neither. But at least we can make the weekend gin-y and super fresh!
Happy Weekend to you!
I made this cocktail look like science. Really it’s just a boozy mixture with fresh cucumber juice, lime, and sparkling water. It’s like the science and boozy version of spa water. Minus the science, plus the glass beakers. You know.
The juices and gin are stirred with ice. Cucumber juice is so refreshing, light, and green! I love the tint it adds to the cocktail. Lime adds a much needed mouth-pucker. There’s also a bit of sweetness to round out this cocktail. I made a devastatingly easy simple syrup. If you’ve never made simple syrup, it’s a mixture of equal parts water and sugar heated until the syrup dissolves. It’s the best way to sweeten a cocktail without trying to dissolve granulated sugar in cold gin.
Now… if you want to talk about cucumber juice, you should know that it’s super easy to make with a juicer. If you don’t have a juicer, blending cucumber in a food processor and then pressing it through a fine mesh strainer works, it’s just a bit more time-consuming.
Also… if you want to talk about my creepy fingers, that topic is actually closed for discussion.
Salt and pepper too!? Heck yes! The salt and pepper add the perfect compliment to the sweet/tart/fresh nature of the cocktail. Salt enhances the flavors. Pepper adds just a hint of heat, but it’s super subtle.
These cocktails were inspired by a cocktail I had at the Soho House. I had one, and now we all should enjoy.
Cucumber and Gin Salt and Pepper Cups
serves 4
lots of ice
1 cup gin
1 cup cucumber juice*
1/2 cup lime juice**
1/3 cup simple syrup
2 cups sparkling water
sliced cucumber rounds
coarse sea salt
cracked black peppercorns
* I used my juicer to make cucumber juice. If you don’t have a juicer making cucumber juice can be a bit trickier. Blending cucumber in a food processor and pressing it through a fine mesh strainer works though it is slightly more time consuming.
** Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves. Heat 1/3 cup water with 1/3 cup granulated sugar and stir until sugar dissolves.
In a large glass pitcher filled with ice, stir together gin, cucumber juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir until combined and chilled. Stir in sparkling water. Pour over ice and garnish with cucumber slices, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
59 Responses
Some of these comments about your hands crack me up. But seriously, before I read what you said about “creepy fingers” I was admiring your model hands. I mean that in the least creepy way possible. Any who, I love the sound of this drink. I’ve always been a little hesitant of gin, however, I’m sure if I had it in something you recommend it would be grand!
Joy,
Could you soak cucumbers in the gin overnight instead? I know when I soak them in water, it ends up very cucumber-y.
i bet that would be lovely!
Made this drink last night, and it was lovely! I don’t have a juicer, nor do I have a super fine sieve, so I just pushed the hand-blended cucumber through the sieve I had, and it was still great – a little thicker that yours, but it was really nice anyways!
This is such a great combination of flavors. Well done, Joy!
This looks like a great recipe. I love drinks that aren’t too fruity or sweet. Can’t wait to try!
Did you you tell us about the cups in a previous comment? Cause I may have missed it. Anywho…Where can I get metal cups?? Or pewter…
I’m curious how fine you liked the black pepper crushed in this cocktail? I’ve made black pepper simple syrups before (which are underrated and so delicious), but never used the pepper as a garnish like this. I’d imagine you’d want to crack pretty finely so that you’d not get a hunk of pepper and spray gin out your nose (wasting booze = not ok).
oooooh my.
these remind of the million pitchers of cucumber water I poured as a waitress in Iowa. but like, with sugar and booze and way less awkward small talk
Lovely! Have you tried Lavender Gin? The scent alone is divine..
I have followed your blog forever and absolutely love all of your recipes that I have tried! You have been such an inspiration to me that I finally decided to start my own blog!
I love the beaker and tin (?) cups. The color of the cocktail is so beautiful. I LOVE gin! What a unique recipe.
Lovely – have you tired Lavender gin and le3moade?
I’m a total Gin and Tonic girl! I have to try this!
There is a bar down the street that has a cocktail similar to this: gin, lime juice, cucumber and thyme. It is so delicious and refreshing!
This looks like the perfect finish to a busy day or a perfect way to enjoy a warm weekend. Thanks for the recipe! Hopefully I will get the chance to try it soon!
Joy this looks lovely! We can get really crisp cucumbers at our local farmers market. Now if you ever come to Dana Point, my husband makes a dessert drink called a Bushwacker.
Made these in St. Thomas and served one to Samuel L Jackson, it got him pretty sloshed but apparently no hangover!
I was reading this…and saw the pic with your hand and my first thought was “How did she did she do that AND take the pic at the same time?” Then I read your hand comment, and thought “Hm..I thought it looked like she just had a manicure.” So definitely no creepy hands :)
p.s. I <3 those little metal cups!
Would never even think to make a recipe like this love it!
Really digging the photography, Joy! Gorgeous shot of the two glasses, with the chilly beads of condensation. Looks delish!
Absolutely love these cups! The condensation makes the drink look so appealing.
Ahhh this looks so good and refreshing! And love the green color :)
WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE HANDS??! Seriously….did they come from your dad or mom?
Hi Joy! This looks awesome- where did you get those cups- they’re ADORABLE?? Thanks!
ok so i have to come clean, i don’t like gin! BUT i absolutely adore cucumber vodka from square one, i think this would work well too for your non-gin fans.
oh and date night: https://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/09/dinner-and-movie.html
for a gin lover – this is divine concoction. Have a fantastic weekend :)
You literally cannot go wrong with Gin or a shoppy weekend.
I can’t wait to make these + I am IN LOVE with those sliver cups, would you be able to share where you got them?
These photos are GORGEOUS! Love them! Anything with gin and cucumber is sure to be tasty! :)
These pictures look so great! You should do another cocktail with a mad scientist theme. Maybe something super red for fall, like cranberry? Start practicing maniacal laughter.
I like the way you think!
This is probably delicious. But it’s the kind of deliciousness I only trust coming from someone else’s (uncreepy) hands. Like if you made this and served it to me or I ordered it at a restaurant, it would be so chic and amazing. But if I make this, it will probably be terrifying. But I might try anyway.
I actually completely understand this. I feel the same way about croissants.
I made this that same night for a bunch of “fancy” food people. We ALL loved it! Perfect balance! Thanks bunches, Joy! xo
A sunny, happy post as usual – thank you Joy for making my day!
I don’t think your fingers are creepy. I’ve seen some creepy blogger fingers in my day, and your fingers, dear Joy, light of my life, twinkle in my eye, are not creepy.
PS thanks for the neato recipe.
I cannot get over the props in this post!!! Those cups!? The science-theme! That drink stirrer? Dyyying.
I’m so happy about this.
YUM! Cucumbers are so good! This looks so refreshing!
https://sometimesgracefully.com
That salt and peppa action? Swoon!
Joy! Yum – I’m ready for the weekend. What’s your gin of choice?!
my favorite gin is Plymouth gin!
I dont particuarly like cucumbers on their own but soaked in gine, now I can get behind that. I can also get behind taking a half day at work today. WEEKEND!!!
It’s almost as if you read my mind for the weekend!
Awwww love this little refreshing cocktail.. looks so fresh and tasteful
This is now a contender for Sunday’s pre-Downton cocktail hour!
This is such an interesting combination! You never cease to impress me with your imagination! Thanks for always inspiring.
xo
http://www.wishfulwhisking.com
Ha! You crazy girl and your daring concoctions.I swear I so look forward to seeing what you’ll come up with next! I love your blog truly.XO