At first glance, the Basil Cucumber Gimlet is not something that would have appealed to me. However, my sister brought some cucumber infused gin when she came to visit me for the weekend and she made this fantastic drink.
She discovered it at Zinc earlier this year and has mastered making it at home. I knew right away this drink recipe was meant to be shared.
With the flavors and aroma of the cucumbers, basil and lemon, this drink is completely refreshing. This recipe is extremely flexible. Shake, taste, adjust and pour!
Basil Cucumber Gimlet
Recipe from my sister, Jenny - recipe inspired by the Cellar Bar at Zinc
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
- Ice
- 3 large basil leaves
- 4-8 ounces cucumber infused Seagram's gin
- 2-4 ounces simple syrup*
- 4-8 ounces tonic water or club soda
Instructions
- Fill a drink shaker, or a quart size mason jar, with ice and add the basil leaves. Add the gin and about 2 ounces of syrup and shake well. Pour into two glasses and top with tonic water or club soda, to taste. I preferred mine with club soda, while the rest of my family preferred the tonic water. However you make them, the ratio is approximately half gin to half tonic water or club soda. I liked mine a bit sweeter, with an extra splash of simple syrup as well. Garnish with a basil leaf before serving. Enjoy!
- To Infuse the Gin: About a week before you want to use it, thinly slice a European cucumber and place the slices into a bottle of Seagram's gin. An inexpensive bottle of gin, such as Seagram's, works well for an infusion like this one. For 750 mil of gin, use about half a cucumber. If you prefer to infuse just a small amount, place 8 ounces of gin in a glass jar and add 5-8 very thin slices of cucumber. Place the gin with the cucumber slices in the refrigerator or in the cupboard and let it rest for about a week to ten days.
- To make simple syrup for mixed drinks: Combine ½ cup water and ½ cup white sugar in a jar and shake until the sugar is dissolved. This will keep in the refrigerator until you need it again. It will be thinner than traditional simple syrup and will mix smoothly into the drinks.
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
This sounds like a very refreshing drink. I'm not crazy about gin but I know that it would be good with vodka as well. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Monet says
This does look SO refreshing. Thank you for sharing with me…I'm sorry I've been so absent. We've been traveling, and I'm just now getting back into the swing of things. In good news, I just moved to my NEW blog. I'd love for you to visit. Hugs and love.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I'm not much of an alcoholic drinker but at the same time I don't like drinking water. I love the refreshing feeling about this drink and I probably make it non alcoholic to try this out (and your recipe for my husband!).
Katerina says
This is such a refreshing drink! The cucumber is a very summery vegetable and has a beautiful aroma!
Words Of Deliciousness says
Sounds like a great drink for the summer.
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
I bet this is really refreshing. Not a big fan of gin, but could get into a little vodka myself!
Monday's Child says
Now you're speaking my language!
I do like gin (and for those of you who don't, I suggest you try a different brand – most people think "Tanqueray" but I find that tastes like perfume. I recommend Bombay Sapphire). And I love cucmumber.
Last month in Vegas, I got a cucumber martini. They didn't use flavored alcohol, but instead muddled the cucumber. I think I'll try that here with the basil (from my garden, of course!)
Woot!
Becki's Whole Life says
I had a cucumber infused drink last summer and it was so refreshing. Plus my basil plant needs some picking so this might be on the drink menu this weekend!
Monday's Child says
I forgot to come back and post my results!
I muddled the basil and cucumber together with some sugar (the granules assist in the muddling), added the gin, and poured it over ice. Then added lots of tonic. Delicious!
But now I want to infuse the gin as you suggest here. And I happen to have one ripe cucumber in my garden, just waiting to become a tasty beverage. 🙂
Anonymous says
thanks for sharing...
Boyd Kobe says
Gorgeous looking cocktail! It sounds so delicious too. Can’t wait to try these, everyone will love them.