Cucumber Based Cocktails

[Elyssa]

Now that the warm weather is here I have become obsessed with cucumber based cocktails. My current favorite is the Miners Club Cocktail at Central. But I have made it my mission to seek out other cucumber-based cocktails and try them all (not in one sitting of course...perhaps over the course of a few weeks :) ).

Have you seen any interesting cucumber-based cocktails or tried any yummy ones? I'm interested in hearing your recs.

[mnadel]

There is an excellent cucumber martini at The Source.

[rarotonga]

Since this thread is still alive I must report that I had a fabulous cucumber drink at Proof on Wednesday night - if I recall correctly it was cucumber vodka, gin, lime, and jalapeno - really refreshing and lovely (but then everything they do there is lovely).

[Jacey]

Did they add anything sweet like sugar, sour mix or sprite?

[rarotonga]

I didn't ask... if I venture to guess I'd say maybe a little simple syrup, but not much else. It was very bracing and refreshing - not sweet at all.

I also had a cucumber-sake cocktail (ok, to be honest many many many cucumber-sake cocktails) on a ship I was on last fall. They were delightful, but unfortunately I have little recollection of what they contained.

[Elyssa]

Thanks for reporting. I'll have to check that out--the jalapeno makes it sound particularly interesting. I'm not much of a vodka person but I love the combination of gin and cucumber.

[rarotonga]

It was good - not sweet at all. Hope you like it.

I discovered another gin-and-cucumber drink on Sunday (honestly, I'm not a lush): at Rocket to Venus, a funky little bar in Hampden in Baltimore. This was muddled cucumber, gin, fresh lime juice, and Sprite, I think. Really refreshing. Lots of cucumber - it was really almost like a Pimms Cup, with lots of nice boozy vegetables to munch on after the drink was gone.

[Elyssa]

It's the Pimm's Cup that inspired my obsession with cucumber based cocktails.

I'm working on a post for my blog on this topic so I hope in the next month to check out a handful of these drinks. You'll have to excuse me if my typing is off in the near future...you'll know why! :)

[Jacey]

Elyssa, what's your blog? I'd be interested in reading it.

[Elyssa]

I just started it so there are not a whole lot of articles yet but I have grand plans :)

www.statedinner.wordpress.com

[mrshendricks]

Gordon Biersch in Rockville (and I would imagine in DC, too) has a couple "martinis" that use cucumber. I had the Geisha, which has sochu, lychee liquor (really tasty) and muddled cucumber. It tasted great but they don't strain the drink, which leads to some pulp (fine) and seeds in the drink (not so fine). There was at least one other drink on the menu--I think it might have been a cucumber martini.

[maoj]

Was at Vermilion last night and they have a cucumber drink.

[joann.hill12]

I'm not kidding, I was just talking about my obsession with cucumber drinks this past wknd--it is quickly becoming my favorite summer drink and beginning to edge out my former fave, white sangria.
The Silver Samurai at SEI is absolutely incredible. It consisgts of shochu, cucumber, vanilla syrup and black pepper---YUM. Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit that's brewed. The only drawback is that the drinks at SEI are on the small side and they are expensive! But so worth trying!

[Elyssa]

I just read about the Silver Samurai. It's at the top of my list.

[WashDC33]

Hudson in Dupont has a Cucumber Collins: "hendricks gin, english cucumber, house made sours, topped with an english cucumber wheel"

I haven't had it since last summer but I remember it being really refreshing and quite tasty!

[Elyssa]

Thanks for all these recommendations. I'll try to hit up all of them over the course of the summer :)

[MrsWheatie]

Recently at Embassy of Finland where they had a cucumber vodka mixed with Izze's clementine soda. It was soooo good! I also remember Corduroy have a pretty tasty drink last summer.

[zelda68]

I had a cucumber drink at Zengo. maybe it was a cucumber mojito, but i can't remember......i did have more than one! but that's not the reason i can't remember! ;-)

[KWynn]

Yes, they have a great cucumber mojito! Highly recommend.

[MikeR]

Pimm's Cup #1 is served (properly) with a long cucumber slice.

[Elyssa]

I love Pimm's Cup. I tried Rasika's version and that was good. Where else?

[MikeR]

I haven't had a Pimm's Cup for ages. Used to get it at Gaylord's but that's been gone for years. These days I don't drink much, particularly at restaurant bar prices.

[SparkleKristy]

You can get a yummy one at Acadiana... but googling the recipe from Pimms and making your own is the best!

[pacheeseguy]

Try a Hendricks Gin & tonic, with a sliver of Cucumber!
So very refreshing.
From their web site:
"First is a lovely hint of Bulgarian Rose, which is extracted by gently pressing essential oils from the petals. Next comes the coup de grace — Cucumber, the essence of which is obtained by mashing the fresh fruit, then mixing the pulp with cold water."

They use cucumber in this gin, it has an unbelievable clean taste.
Their web site: http://www.hendricksgin.com/us/about/...

[katecm]

Hendricks anything! Do you like gimlets? I ordered a Hendrick's gimlet the other day ( at a restaurant out of town that uses fresh juice, not Rose's), and it was amazing. I'll also second the cucumber mojito at Zengo.

[Elyssa]

I've never had a gimlet. Where do you usually order them? I think I've seen it on the PS7 drink menu before.

[Elyssa]

Do you know where to get a good one in the area or does it not really matter?

[katecm]

It's usually gin or vodka with Rose's lime juice, but good bars will make it with sweetened, fresh-squeezed lime juice. The Rose's can be really sweet and cloyingly overpowering, but at the same time, a lot of people prefer it because they're used to it. I like the fresh stuff. PS7 used to have an amazing one, before the new bartender (but that's okay, since she's worth losing my favorite drink).