The Cucumber Martini recipe, which is composed of cucumber, mint, lemon juice, vodka (or gin), and elderflower liqueur, is the thirst quencher that you will be excited to enjoy. As well as the style appearance, this drink is exactly spectacularly restful.

The vibrant taste of basil and lime hampers the liveliness otherwise, the cucumber martini would only be ordinary, being fresh and sophisticated.

Surely, the most delicious dishes and drinks are made or grown in the same area. Aside from being the most practical ones, locally sourced ingredients are the most sustainable. I am more emotionally fulfilled when I help people in my community this way, and it also fosters a healthier environment.

What is Cucumber Martini?

A traditional martini is a strong drink containing either gin or vodka and a small amount of vermouth. However, there are a few more tasty variants that have adopted the martini name over time. Cocktails like my cucumber martini feature more flavorings than their original ancestor, but still showcase the liquor as a major flavoring agent.

BEST VODKA FOR MARTINIS

As vodka is a central part of the martini’s flavor, it is crucial to choose premium vodka. Drinking a martini with a substandard vodka will give a stranger bitterness and will cover up other present flavors. Whereas a premium vodka will lend a smooth taste that highlights the flavors of the martini while also making the cocktail more pleasant to drink.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Cucumber Martini Recipe

• The flavors are bright and refreshing. This is a delightful spring or summer cocktail. I think it would be lovely served at a bridal or baby shower, fabulous for brunch, or the perfect complement to an afternoon tea. 
• It’s unique. I don’t think cucumbers are often associated with cocktails. If you’re looking for something different, this is definitely worth considering. 
• It’s easy to make. Shaking up a delicious martini doesn’t need to be difficult. You’ll be able to shake this up with little time and effort while still yielding a thoughtful and elegant cocktail. 

Ingredients of Cucumber Martini

Ready to shake up this cucumber martini? Let’s do it. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• cucumber – I prefer using English cucumbers, but any fresh cucumber will work. 
• mint leaves –  Mint is the perfect herb for this recipe, but if you are not a fan or want something else, basil is also perfect.
• vodka or gin – I swapped gin with vodka in this recipe as it is my personal choice. However, I tested this with gin and it’s wonderful too. 
• elderflower liqueur – This is one of my favorite liqueurs. I discovered it about ten years ago and try to use it whenever I can. It has such a unique flavor; I find it to be floral, fruity, and a bit sweet. It adds something special to this cucumber martini.
• fresh lemon juice –  Freshly squeezed is the only way to go. Trust me.  
• simple syrup – I like a little sweetness in this cocktail, so I included a splash of simple syrup. Don’t want it sweet? No problem. You can skip the simple syrup or opt for less. 

How To Make  

This martini recipe is pretty straightforward, but I’ll walk you through it regardless. For your convenience, I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. A cocktail shaker is the receiving end for the finely chopped cucumber, mint leaves, and lemon juice. The cucumbers and mint are crushed with the help of the muddler. 
2. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Top with vodka, elderflower liqueur, and simple syrup. 
3. Shake vigorously.
4. Strain into a martini or coupe glass. 
5. Garnish with a thinly sliced cucumber on a cocktail pick.

Recipe Notes and Variations

Try vodka or gin. As I mentioned above, this recipe works with gin or vodka. Use what you like best. For vodka, I reach for Grey Goose or Tito’s. I prefer Hendricks for gin. 

Serve it cold.  Most martini-style cocktails are best served cold. Be sure to shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. If using a metal shaker, the outside should be cold and frosty. 

Use a muddler to make smashing the cucumbers easy. If you don’t have one, have no fear. The back of a wooden spoon will work too. 

Looking to create a garnish as I did? You’ll love these silver cocktail picks. They are a common item with many of my cocktail garnishes. I used a mandoline to get a thin slice of cucumber. A vegetable peeler like this one should work, too. Just shape the thinly sliced cucumber into a wave pattern and pierce the cocktail pick through the center of it. 

How Strong is the Cucumber Martini?

Like all martinis, these pack a punch. At this level of ABV, two martinis can be even stronger than a full shot of vodka! Keep in mind always to drink carefully and only mix if you feel like it. That means two martinis are stronger than a straight shot of vodka, so take it slow and think before mixing up the next one.

FAQS

Is a Vodka Martini Really a Martini?

The traditional martini is a gin-based drink and not an absolute vodka product, and real martini fans think that a vodka “martini” is not a genuine one. Having a vodka drink is more about the taste than having a gin, which gives a drink character. It doesn’t matter if you prepare this cocktail using gin or vodka and whether you label it a martini or not, it is still scrumptious, and isn’t that the primary reason for making it?

How to Cut and Muddle Cucumbers for a Martini

The cucumber part in martinis is the simplest procedure. The peeling step is not needed at all. A sharp knife is just what you need to slice and cut the cucumber into circles. The number needed is three large slices for one cocktail, if you want, and you could have some small-sized cucumber slices for decoration.

The second step in the muddling process is to slice the cucumbers. It implies that you must make cuts to the cucumber in such a way that it can provide the necessary juice and taste to the drink. Muddling the cucumber slice presupposes a muddler or the process of using a wooden spoon to mash the sticks of cucumber that are crushed, however, the muddler or the spoon is turning to half position with each press downwards.

Recipe!

Cucumber Martini Recipe!

This Cucumber Martini recipe is made with fresh cucumber, mint, lemonjuice, vodka (or gin), and elderflower liqueur to create a cocktail that is aselegant as it is delicious. This cucumber martini is accented with the livelyflavors of fresh basil and lime, for a taste as refreshing as it is refined.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, French, Italian

Servings 1 People

Calories 321 kcal

Equipment

• pan
• juicer

Ingredients

  

• 3 inch piece of cucumber skinned, seeded, chopped
• 3 fresh mint leave
• 5 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 3 ounce gin
• 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
• elderflower liqueur garnish

Instructions

 

• Add the chopped cucumber, mint leaves, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Crush the cucumbers and mint using a muddler.
• Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Top with vodka, elderflower liqueur, and simple syrup.
• Shake vigorously.
• Strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a thinly sliced cucumber on a cocktail pick.

Notes

FAQS

Is a Vodka Martini Really a Martini?

The original martini recipe is made with gin, not vodka, and martini purists say a vodka “martini” is not a true martini. Vodka offers a smoother taste while gin brings botanical flavor and complexity to a martini. Whether you make this cocktail with gin or vodka and whether you call it a martini or not, it’s still delicious—and isn’t that the most important thing?

How to Cut and Muddle Cucumbers for a Martini

It’s easy to cut cucumbers for martinis. There’s no need to peel them—just cut them into slices using a sharp knife. For one cocktail, you’ll need three thick slices for muddling and a few thin slices for garnish. The next step after slicing the cucumbers is muddling them, which releases the cucumber’s juices and flavor. To muddle the cucumber, use a muddler or a wooden spoon to press down and crush the cucumber slices, giving the muddler or spoon a half turn with each press downwards.

Keyword Cucumber Martini, Cucumber Martini Recipe, Homemade Cucumber Martini Recipe, How to make Cucumber Martini Recipe, Martini