This refreshing Cucumber Collins is a delicious, easy twist on the classic Tom Collins Cocktail recipe. Pureed cucumber gives it a wonderful fresh flavor!
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
I used a ribbon of cucumber to garnish my cocktails. 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!