Cucumber-Mint Gimlet

A Gimlet Cocktail is basically Gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Interestingly enough, in referencing the bible of cocktail repositories, my first edition 1930's Constable & Company, LTD, "The Savoy Cocktail Book", the Gimlet portrayed by bartender extraordinaire, Harry Craddock, used Rose's Lime Juice Cordial, the simple syrup of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lauchlan Rose patented the sugar, vice rum, preserved limes in 1867 that was given to sailors to prevent them from getting survey and leading to the "limey" nickname!

I blend cucumber and mint with St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, Hendrick's Gin and blue agave syrup. Rather than just muddling, I enjoy the green color of the cocktail that comes from the blending, and you get a lot more dilution this way.

Recipe for one cocktail

1 1/2 oz Henrick's Gin

3/4 oz. St-Germain

1/2 oz lime juice

1/4 oz agave syrup

1 oz roughly chopped cucumber

5-10 fresh mint leaves

Blend all ingredients and strain into cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake it like you mean it for a good 15 seconds. Pour into a frozen coupe, with or without a large ice cube and garnish with mint and/or cucumber and or a slice of lime.

Be refreshed!