Cucumber Mint Gimlet

Learn how to make a refreshing cucumber and mint gimlet. This naturally sweetened cucumber cocktail is perfect for warm days.

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cucumber mint gimlet recipe

I can’t resist a cucumber drink on restaurant menus. Cucumber cocktails are the epitome of refreshing: light, summery and hydrating.

It’s no wonder restaurants call these gin and lime numbers by other names, though. “Gimlet” sounds like “piglet” and, as such, doesn’t sound nearly sexy enough to describe this drink.

cucumber and mint

Classic gimlets are composed of gin, lime juice and a touch of sweetener. Something magical happens when these basic ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass.

I muddled cucumber and mint into this gimlet to make it extra enticing. Technically, you could call this cocktail an Eastside (thanks to the cucumber),  a Southside (thanks to the mint), or more accurately, an Eastside-Southside hybrid. Anyway, let’s make one.

how to make a cucumber gimlet

The key to making this drink spectacular is to use good gin (preferably Hendrick’s, which has cucumber notes) and a good cucumber (peel it first in case the skin is bitter).

Gin haters, you can substitute vodka, but gin is really lovely here. So, happy hour?

how to make a cucumber gimlet

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cucumber mint gimlet recipe

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Cucumber Mint Gimlet

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 19 reviews

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Learn how to make a refreshing cucumber and mint gimlet. This naturally sweetened cucumber cocktail is perfect for warm days.

Ingredients

Per cocktail

  • 2-inch slice of peeled cucumber, halved and then quartered
  • 10 mint leaves
  • 1 ½ teaspoons light agave nectar or simple syrup
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 ½ ounces gin, preferably Hendrick’s

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber, mint and agave nectar until the cucumber offers no more resistance.
  2. Fill the shaker with ice, then pour in the lime juice and gin. Put the lid on your shaker and shake until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds.
  3. Strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish with a tiny sprig of mint, if you’d like.

Notes

Recipe adapted from my basil gimlet cocktail.

Change it up: You can use vodka if you don’t like gin. Other ideas: substitute basil for mint, and/or add a little splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and/or muddle some fresh jalapeño with the cucumber.

Nutrition

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

Kate and Cookie

HELLO, MY NAME IS

Kathryne Taylor

I'm a vegetable enthusiast, dog lover, mother and bestselling cookbook author. I've been sharing recipes here since 2010, and I'm always cooking something new in my Kansas City kitchen. Cook with me!

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Comments

  1. Librarian Lavender

    I love a good cocktail, so I’m very happy with this recipe!

  2. Abby @ The Frosted Vegan

    I’m allll for coming over and sitting outside while sipping this with you!

  3. Amy @ Parsley In My Teeth

    I’ll be right over! These sound like the perfect, light summer drink and are beautifully photographed!

  4. Trisha

    So pretty! I’ve got mint in my garden for this and I’m in need of something light but also alcoholic. I feel ya on the coffee and vacation too. :)

    1. Kate

      It’s meant to be!

    2. Yez

      Hmmmmm.. tastes unbalanced. Too much lime juice, not enough syrup and dare I say not enough gin. Will disclaim that I am making this in the tropics and got the lime from my back yard… so may be they are stronger than what you used?? At any rate, hits the right notes but I think I will adjust it next time…

      1. Kate

        Hi Yez, I’m sorry you didn’t love this one. I appreciate your feedback.

  5. Beth @ Tasty Yummies

    OK without sounding like too much of a creep – I think we are the same human!
    Yes to the vacation and to wanting a happy hour and for the rest of life to just stop for a little bit. A big yes to always wanting the cucumber cocktails, I seriously cannot resist them EVER. Lastly, I even like you, have always felt confused by the word “gimlet”. Get out of my head. Seriously.
    Anyhow, I would LOVE to be sipping on one of these amazing cocktails today, this is just brilliant!

    1. Kate

      Haha, awesome! Glad we’re on the same page with this one, Beth. :)

  6. Nicole

    YES! I’m all about a good happy hour and this drink is perfect. Hendrick’s is my favorite gin, too. It’s like a vacation in a glass, right? And I’d totally sit on your patio and sip these with you ;)

    1. Kate

      Vacation in a glass, indeed! Wish you could come over and clink drinks with me!

  7. Annie

    Looks delicious! This would be a great way to use some of the mint from my herb garden and the local gin a friend recently gifted me!

    1. Kate

      Perfect! Enjoy!

  8. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    I’ve never had cucumber in a drink, but I know I’d like it! Love this!

    1. Kate

      Katrina, you have been missing out! Hope you’ll give a cucumber cocktail a try soon!

  9. Eileen

    I will be RIGHT OVER. These sound so refreshing! I have to admit that I used our first garden cucumbers for pickles, so I’m going to have to be patient for a few days to let the next one ripen before I can make this. :) But that will be just in time for the weekend!

    1. Kate

      Hope you love the gimlets, Eileen! I bet they will be extra refreshing with your fresh-from-the-garden cucumbers!

  10. J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats

    Gin pairs so well with more vegetable-y type cocktails, this would be so refreshing :) The other day I had a gin cocktail with mint and celery juice that was pretty amazing and I imagine would be similar-ish to this.

    1. Kate

      Oh, I’ve never tried a celery juice cocktail! I’m intrigued!

      1. Pat McDowell

        Me too, I love celery, and I also love cucumber and mint. And most definitely gin. In fact my gin and lime just disappeared and I have to go and replace it. Bye!

  11. Sini | my blue&white kitchen

    This is one of the most beautiful, chic, and classy looking cocktails I’ve ever seen. And you know what really bothers me? I’ve NEVER had a cucumber cocktail. Never ever. Need to finally go buy that bottle of gin. This needs to happen.

    1. Kate

      Thank you, Sini! And oh my, you need to try a cucumber cocktail. They are the epitome of refreshing.

  12. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health

    coming over. i will bring a cheese platter – friends?

    1. Kate

      Sounds great!

  13. Kate @Almond Butter Binge

    Oh man, I LOVE a good gimlet, especially in the summertime. Thank you so much for this recipe! Easy and yummy with a kick — my favorite kind of drink :)

  14. Jenna

    Yum, sounds perfect! Could you just use sugar in place of the agave or simple syrup? I don’t often have those two on hand.

    1. Kate

      Yes, you can! The only problem with using sugar is that it might not dissolve into your drink. You can make simple syrup out of sugar if you warm equal parts water and sugar together (or just shake them up in a jar until they combine).

  15. kelsey

    I’ll take two, please.

    xo

  16. Erin | The Law Student's Wife

    Lady, you know I am in! PS. You have excellent taste in gin. I knew I liked you.

    1. Kate

      :)

  17. Thalia @ butter and brioche

    this looks so refreshing.. the perfect cocktail for summer! i could definitely kick back with one of these now!

  18. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

    Yes please, these look incredibly refreshing!

  19. abby @ thingsforboys

    Pour me one, I’m on the way!!

  20. Kathryn

    Pretty sure this is going to be my new summer cocktail of choice.

  21. Laura @ Raise Your Garden

    Stunning visual appeal! Put me in coach, I want one!

  22. Bri | Bites of Bri

    Keep making cocktails! I love this post and I’m good with cucumber drinks in the backyard. Sounds like the perfect summer happy hour.

  23. Rob Gargett

    I’ll be right over! Don’t give anyone else that other chair.

  24. Gaby

    I’ll come over for happy hour and have a glass!!

  25. Kasey

    Umm, I need all of those things, too. Pronto. Let’s drink together, shall we?

    1. Kate

      Yes, let’s! :)

  26. erin {yummysupper}

    Yes, please. I love gimlet and cucumbers and… I happen to have a cucumber gimlet recipe in my book;) We’re on the same page my friend!
    Wouldn’t it be fun if we could drink gimlets together?
    xoxoxo
    E

  27. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles

    Yes, please! This is one of my very favorite drinks. Gorgeous!

    1. Kate

      Thanks, Brenda! It reminds me of the drink I ordered at Zelo in MPLS while we were waiting for our table. Fun times!

  28. Lisa @Garlic+Zest

    Wow! This picture makes me feel parched and in need of refreshment. Thank you!

  29. Medeja

    Sounds refreshing!

  30. Allison

    I’m currently obsessed with cucumber-infused anything and need this gimlet asap! I had a G&T a couple of years ago with cucumber instead of lime and I felt uber sophisticated. This is bringing back fond memories :) Cheers to your superb summer bevvy and adorably retro glasses!

  31. Danielle

    Like you, I can never turn down a cucumber-flavored cocktail on a menu. Or one that has basil… or cilantro… That watermelon one you linked too looks delish as well!

    1. Kate

      Sounds like we have the same cocktail preferences! Cheers!

  32. Joanne

    Cucumber drinks make me feel all kinds of refreshed! Love the added mint to give that extra boost of freshness. Hope these took the edge off those technical difficulties!

  33. Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life

    I’ve made it to 27 and never had anything with gin in it. Is that time coming to an end? Why, yes, after seeing this, I believe it has. Happy Summer days Kate.

    1. Kate

      Whaaaat?! You’re overdue for a gin drink, Amy! Just don’t try gin with regular ol’ tonic. I thought for the longest time that I didn’t like gin, but it turns out I just don’t like the taste of cheap tonic water! Some of the new artisan tonic is pretty good, though. Cucumber is better. :)

  34. Erin

    I’m obsessed with those glasses – where did you find them?!

    1. Kate

      Hey Erin! Sorry, the glasses are vintage. I found them in my parent’s cabinet.

  35. rhiannon

    that sounds so delicious!!

  36. Miss Lulu Darling

    I am always up for trying new things !! Def adding this to my list :)

  37. Barbara

    I just discovered this site and loving it; it has souch a ‘good vibe’. Thank you.

    1. Kate

      Barbara, thank you! Hope you enjoy the recipes.

  38. Carrie Pacini

    Kate this Cucumber Mint Gimlet looks so refreshing.

  39. Anne

    Perfect for day drinking! Inspired me to purchase gin for the first time and am now tempted to wear Hendricks as perfume.

    1. Kate

      Hendricks perfume! Love it. Just don’t get pulled over while wearing. ;)

  40. Nikki

    Oh I need to try it! Such a nice summer drink and you have so many more awesome sounding gin drinks.
    I love gin but most of the time I drink beer and all my friends too ;) so maybe it’s a good opportunity to buy some!

  41. KD

    Hi Kate,

    Thanks for all the wonderful recipes and the time you invest.

    Question–
    Can I make this without the gin?
    I don’t drink alcohol, do you have any suggestions for a replacement.

    Thanks
    KD

    1. Kate

      Hi KD, I suspect you could just use water instead! A simpler solution would be to toss a bunch of sliced cucumbers, limes and mint into a pitcher of water and let it infuse in the refrigerator.

  42. sahvesays

    Glad I saved this on Pinterest, just made and it using Minnesota made Solveig Gin and it is Amazing! pic is on Instagram – sahves

    1. Kate

      Awesome! Thanks, Sahvesays!

  43. dja

    Ooohhh they’re good…

    Tried them a couple times. Both time a hit with guests. I highly recommend using high quality flavourful cucumbers to balance the mint. Added lychee fruit the last time, which provided an additional robust layer to an already divine cocktail.

    Another recipe from Cookie and Kate I can recommend. Thanks for the fantastic website.

    1. Kate

      Thank you!!! So glad you’re enjoying these cocktails.

  44. Marlene

    A bit of St. Germain makes this recipe even more amazing.

    1. Kate

      I like the way you think, Marlene!

  45. Amber

    Mmm! Just made this and love it! There’s a restaurant in St. Augustine, FL that makes a Garden Gimlet that I LOVE and this tastes almost just like it (but theirs has a few other ingredients). Now I don’t have to pay 10 bucks for it!

    I used a locally made gin and then topped it off with a little club soda to make it last longer :)

  46. Kim

    Greetings Cookie + Kate
    I’ve just discovered your site (via Goop) and love it! Please can you tell me where you got the glasses from pictured in your Gimlet recipe?

    Haola

    Kim

    1. Kate

      Thanks, Kim! I didn’t know that Goop mentioned my site, now I’m off to go find the link! I hate to disappoint, but those are vintage glasses from my mom’s cabinet.

      1. Kim

        Hi Kate
        I think I got it wrong – it was of course the S-Life magazine. However I was so impressed I sent your details to GOOP! You are my new favourite site.

        Shame about the glasses, lucky you!

        Haola
        Kim

  47. Angela Klein

    Hi Kate! I love Hendricks. So it wasn’t hard to talk myself into purchasing a new bottle in honor of this drink. I’ve been anticipating making it for a few days Tried it with hubby & you get full marks!!! We’ve had nothing but rain in upstate NY so this went perfectly with our first nice sunshiny day. Will certanilny be making it again. Thank you

    1. Kate

      That’s a perfect way to celebrate a sunny day. I hope there are many more for you this week!

  48. Kim ARgenzio

    This was so delish. Thank you for sharing. Where did you get those beautiful glasses. I need them.

  49. Hope

    Add a splash of Champagne with or without the Elderflower and “Oh My”!!

    1. Kate

      Thanks, Hope!

  50. Morven

    A great tasting cocktail. Very nicely balanced flavours.

    1. Kate

      I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for the review.