Ah, the martini! A classic cocktail, if ever there was one! While a Cucumber Martini is nothing out of the ordinary, it’s a wonderful, refreshing rendition of a drink that is familiar and satisfying.
It’s made with gin and Vermouth (though vodka martini lovers can certainly substitute vodka!), cucumbers, fresh lime juice, and St Germain.
It’s light, crisp, and drinks easily (the best cocktails do!). Let’s make the best ever cucumber martini!
A Classic Martini… But Better!
The ingredient list for a cucumber martini is straightforward:
- A small cucumber: either an English cucumber or a mini cucumber!
- Fresh lime juice
- Gin
- Vermouth
- St Germain (elderflower liqueur)
No simple syrup is needed in a martini, so save that for a Southside (another gin cocktail we crush hard on in the summer months!). Garnish with thin slices cucumber or fresh mint.
How To Make A Cucumber Martini
First, you’ll want to muddle the cucumber with fresh lime juice — you can do this directly in the cup of a cocktail shaker. This will help to release the juices in the cucumber. (If you don’t have a muddler, you can smash the pieces with the back of a wooden spoon!) Next, fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then add gin, dry Vermouth, and St. Germain.
Based on preference, you can either pop a lid on it and shake the martini or stir it well. Strain the cucumber martini into a chilled martini glass (or other glass) that has additional slices or rounds of cucumber in it for garnish. A seriously easy cocktail recipe, but perfect on a warm summer day!
What’s The Best Gin For Martinis?
This absolutely comes down to personal preference. While there are a variety of gins on the market, ranging from London dry, Old Tom, Plymouth, and Genever, there are endless varieties from distilleries all over the world.
We have a strong preference from The Botanist, which is a London dry din. Other gins to consider:
- Beefeater
- Hendrick’s
- Ford’s
- Hayman’s (best for a dirty martini)
- Bombay
What Is St Germain?
Saint Germain is a French clear liqueur made from elederflower, the small white flowers that blossom on an elderberry plant. It has a light, almost sweet floral taste and is used in many cocktails. It’s a beautiful accompaniment for cocktails with citrus.
There’s no real substitute for St Germain unless you can get your hands on elderflower syrup, but then you’re adding sugar to a cocktail where no sugar is needed… so we recommend investing in a small bottle of the real thing!
If you make this Cucumber Martini recipe, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below!
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More cocktail recipes to try!
- Clover Club Cocktail
- Grapefruit Margarita
- Pomegranate Tequila Cosmo
- Pomegranate Gin And Tonic
- Blackberry Basil Margarita
Light & Fresh Cucumber Martini Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cucumber cut into ⅛“ thick slices, plus more for garnish (alternatively, can use cucumber rounds for garnish)
- ½ oz fresh lime juice from ½ medium lime
- 2 oz gin such as The Botanist
- ½ oz dry Vermouth
- ½ oz St Germain
- Mint or basil optional garnishes
Instructions
- Muddle the cucumber. Place cucumber slices in the cup of a cocktail shaker along with ½ oz fresh lime juice, then muddle to release the juices.
- Shake or stir the martini. Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then add 2 oz gin, ½ oz dry Vermouth, and ½ oz St Germain. Shake well to aerate or stir.
- Strain, then serve. Place the remaining cucumber slices or rounds (garnish) in a chilled martini glass (or coupe glass), then strain the drink into the cup.
Nutrition
Photography by: Pate of The G&M Kitchen
Made this last night, super easy, and just delicious! A perfect and refreshing twist on one of our favorite drinks, thanks as always for a great cocktail suggestion!
So refreshing on a hot summer day! Thanks, Jennifer! xo, Ari