Cucumber and Tonic

By Alison Roman

Updated July 2, 2017

  • Rikki Snyder for The New York Times
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An evolution of soda water with bitters, think of this as a spin on the gin and tonic. Vegetal cucumber and herby mint replace the botanicals in the gin. If tonic water is too bitter for you, swap in soda water instead. And, if you're eschewing alcohol in all its forms, skip the bitters. (They do contain alcohol, though it's diluted here.)

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Ingredients

Yield:2 drinks

  • ½ cucumber, preferably hothouse

  • 4 thin slices of lime

  • 2 sprigs mint

  • Tonic or soda water, to taste

  • Peychaud's bitters, to taste (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Using a vegetable peeler, peel the cucumber lengthwise until you have long, wide ribbons.

  2. Step 2

    Place a few slices of lime and mint leaves in the bottom of a Collins glass, or other tall glass, and, using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle them to release the juices in the lime and oils in the mint. Add a few strips of cucumber and fill the glass with ice (crushed, if you’ve got it).

  3. Step 3

    Top with tonic water and a few dashes of bitters, if using.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
475 user ratings
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Comments

AJ

Use a high-end tonic for a more complex flavor and a more quenching beverage. Average tonic water tends to be too sweet.

Andie

Used my favorite tonic, Fevertree. Really delicious and refreshing!

,North Bay Wired

Tried this all 3 ways suggested in the notes: 1. Recipe with Topo Chico mineral water: Good, but a bit meh. Missed the bitter aspect of tonic water; 2. Recipe with tonic water: Very good, especially using Fever Tree tonic water; 3. Recipe with gin and tonic water: Outstanding. Bombay Sapphire and Fever Tree tonic water. The cucumber and mint elevates the drink to the ethereal gin and tonic.

Ana Sanchez

I just tried it! Exquisite and refreshing

Nancy

Sitting here in Melbourne, Australia, in 37C heat. This drink is spectacular! Used Fever Tree Tonic!!!

Max Entropy

Union Square Cafe has a similar cocktail that includes Fresno chili and cilantro. ANyone know the recipe?

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