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Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet Recipe

Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet Recipe

By What’s Baking

A botanical elixir blending crisp cucumber freshness with delicate elderflower sweetness and bright lime, creating a refined summer sipper that's both refreshing and sophisticated.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
8 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A crystal Nick & Nora glass filled with a pale jade-green cocktail, illuminated by soft natural daylight streaming through a window. Droplets of condensation cling to the outside while a translucent cucumber ribbon spirals inside, reaching above the rim. A lime wheel balances on the edge, partially submerged in the drink. The liquid catches the light, revealing botanical particles suspended throughout. A marble bar top reflects the glass's silhouette while fresh cucumber slices and elderflowers are artfully scattered nearby, hinting at the cocktail's key ingredients.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">50ml gin</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">20ml St-Germain elderflower liqueur (or other elderflower liqueur)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">20ml fresh lime juice</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml simple syrup</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">3 thin cucumber slices, plus 1 ribbon for garnish</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 lime wheel for garnish</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Fine-mesh strainer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Muddler</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Vegetable peeler (for cucumber ribbon)</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Nick & Nora or coupe glass</li> </ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Chill your Nick & Nora or coupe glass by filling it with ice and water while you prepare the cocktail. This ensures your drink will stay colder longer when served. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Using a vegetable peeler, create one long, thin ribbon from a cucumber for garnish. Set aside. Slice three thin rounds from the cucumber for muddling. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Place the cucumber slices in your cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release their flavor. Don't over-muddle; 5-6 light presses will extract the cucumber essence without releasing bitter compounds. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Fill the shaker 3/4 full with ice. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. This duration achieves proper dilution and temperature while incorporating tiny air bubbles that give the cocktail a silky texture. The shaker should become frosty on the outside. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Empty the ice water from your chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail through both a Hawthorne strainer and fine-mesh strainer into your prepared glass. This removes ice shards and cucumber particles while preserving the drink's smooth texture. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Garnish by draping the cucumber ribbon in a spiral inside the glass, allowing it to rise slightly above the rim. Place a lime wheel on the edge of the glass. The aromatics from both garnishes will enhance the drinking experience. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Serve immediately while the cocktail is perfectly chilled. The pale jade-green color should be clear and bright, with delicate botanical aromas rising from the glass. </li> </ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 cocktail
🔥 Calories: 165 calories
🥑 Fat: 0 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 0 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 12 g
🍭 Sugar: 10 g
🍗 Protein: 0 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 0 mg
🧂 Sodium: 4 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What's the best gin to use for a cucumber-based gimlet?

London Dry gins like Hendrick's (which already has cucumber notes) work brilliantly, but any premium gin with botanical character will complement the cucumber. Avoid heavily juniper-forward gins as they might overpower the delicate cucumber and elderflower flavours.

Can I make this cocktail without alcohol for a mocktail version?

Absolutely! Replace gin with cucumber-infused water or tonic, and substitute elderflower liqueur with elderflower cordial or syrup. Add a splash of soda water for effervescence. The cucumber and elderflower combination works beautifully in non-alcoholic form.

Why is double-straining recommended for this gimlet?

Double-straining (using both a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer) removes cucumber particles and ice shards, resulting in a silky-smooth texture and elegant appearance. This technique is essential for achieving the cocktail's characteristic jade-green clarity.

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