This refreshing Cucumber Collins is a delicious, easy twist on the classic Tom Collins Cocktail recipe. Pureed cucumber gives it a wonderful fresh flavor!

Cucumber cocktail
If you're looking for a super-refreshing cocktail, then you've come to the right place!
I love sitting in the sunshine on long summer evenings, enjoying the fresh air with a cold drink in hand. Don't we all? The clink of the ice in the glass mingles with the sound of birdsong. Bliss.
This Cucumber Collins is perfect when you want a refreshing, fizzy drink. It's simple to make and the simple addition of pureed cucumber really takes the whole drink up a notch to give it a bit of WOW.
Gin, jazzed up with cucumber puree! Seriously, THIS is your next cocktail party hit. Or simply for a refreshing drink on a warm summer night.
Serve them to a crowd with some other cocktails from this list of 40 Best Cocktail Recipes to Make at Home or Poolside Drinks, along with some tasty appetizers.
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Ingredients
For this cucumber collins, you only need a few simple ingredients.
- Cucumber - leave the skin on when pureeing for more goodness and green color. I like to make strips with an extra one for an easy, eye-catching garnish.
- Lemon juice - freshly squeezed tastes the best! You can substitute lime for the lemon and it still tastes great.
- Simple syrup - you can buy it, but it's super easy to make your own. The recipe is below and you just need sugar and water.
- Gin - not a gin fan? You can use vodka instead.
- Club soda (aka seltzer or soda water)
- Mint leaves and cucumber to garnish. I use a potato peeler to make the cucumber strips.
Tom Collins
A Tom Collins cocktail is made of gin, lemon, sugar syrup and soda water, but for this version, I've added cucumber puree.
It's a simple, classic cocktail that's stood the test of time.
According to the ol' interwebs, the drink was created in America in 1876.
This twist on the classic gives the drink a delicious, fresh flavor.
Plus it's like drinking salad, right? That's a good thing.
Cucumber cocktails
I seem to have a lot of cucumbers in my veg box lately, so I've been looking for fun ways to use them (hello Lemon Cucumber Cake!).
Pureeing cucumber takes a few seconds, but means you can use it many other ways. For this cocktail, it's a simple addition that adds a deliciously refreshing flavor.
If you love the sound of this cucumber collins, you'll love these other cucumber cocktails too! Why not make a big batch of cucumber puree and use it in a few of these cocktails at your next party!
- Cucumber Caipirinha - the classic Brazilian cachaca cocktail, with a cucumber twist!
- Cucumber Gin & Tonic - the classic G&T, with pureed cucumber!
Be sure to also check out my list of the 40 Best Cocktail Recipes to make at home for more inspiration.
How to make cucumber collins
This is a super easy vodka cocktail recipe. Here's how to make it!
There are two ways you can do it: by pureeing the cucumber or muddling it in the glass.
I prefer the look and taste when it's pureed as you get all the cucumber yumminess without any 'bits' but it's tasty muddled too!
- PUREE METHOD:
Puree the cucumber (no need to peel it) with a handheld immersion blender. Divide the pureed cucumber between glasses and stir with the lemon juice, simple syrup and vodka. Add the gin and ice and top up with club soda. - MUDDLED METHOD
Chop up the cucumber, add it to a glass or cocktail shaker and muddle it (with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon) with the lemon juice and simple syrup so it's all gently bashed together. Add the gin, ice and top up with club soda.
Note: if you have a cocktail shaker, then shake the muddled cucumber, juice and syrup with the gin, then strain into a glass of ice and top up with club soda. This way there will be less 'bits' in it.
Cocktail tips
- No sugar syrup for your cucumber collins? Make your own (recipe below) or replace with 2 teaspoons of castor sugar or a squeeze of honey or agave.
- Add your favourite fruit to personalise your cocktail.
- Switch the club soda with Sprite or ginger ale for extra zing
- Chill your glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before making your cocktail for a frosty look.
Get the Cucumber Collins recipe
Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon
Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog. I love sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes with you all.
Kate x
📖 Recipe
Cucumber Collins
Ingredients
- 2 inches cucumber unpeeled
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup* (see below) 6 teaspoons
- 3 oz gin
- club soda (soda water, seltzer)
For the simple syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Puree Method
- Puree the cucumber (no need to peel it) with a handheld immersion blender. Divide the pureed cucumber between two glasses. To each glass add 1tsp lemon juice and ½ oz (3tsp) simple syrup and stir. Add 1.5oz gin and ice and top up with club soda.
Muddled Method
- Chop up the cucumber, add it to a glass or cocktail shaker and muddle it (with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon) with 1tsp lemon juice and ½ oz (3 tsp) simple syrup so it's all gently bashed together. Add 1.5oz gin, ice and top up with club soda.Note: if you have a cocktail shaker, then shake the muddled cucumber, juice and syrup with the gin, then strain into a glass of ice and top up with club soda. This way there will be less 'bits' in it.
For the simple syrup
- Put sugar and water in a small saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved and mixture thickens.Allow to cool to room temperature before using. Be careful with the hot sugar syrup!Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Notes
To do this, simply peel a cucumber longways with a potato peeler and wrap it around the inside of the glass before adding ice. You'll also love these other cucumber cocktail recipes:
- Cucumber Caipirinha - the classic Brazilian cachaca cocktail, with a cucumber twist!
- Cucumber Gin & Tonic - the classic G&T, with pureed cucumber!
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Toni Dash
I seriously loved it!! So refreshing and taste really good!
Angela
This cocktail is so refreshing! I love the addition of the cucumber.
Rebecca
what a yummy, refreshing drink! great tip to leave the cucumber skins on, I wouldn't have thought of that.
Carrie
Such a perfect cocktail for summertime! Sounds so refreshing. 🙂
Priya
This is such a refreshing drink and perfect for the summer time! I would surely love a glass right now