Adding cucumber to a gin martini really amplifies the botanicals in the gin while adding a wonderful depth of flavor that really works with an ice cold drink.
Pro Tips For making Cucumber Martinis
- Hate gin? Use vodka!!
- You can add more cucumber juice to the drink and up the flavor/ decrease the strength of the cocktail by muddling in some more cucumber pieces.
- Try adding in a sprig of mint, lemongrass, or even ginger to up the herbal ante!
- This drink is also nice on the rocks.
- Shake or stir? It gets complicated but try both out and see which you prefer!
What Gin Should You Use?
I love Hendrick’s gin as it has some cucumber flavor in it already so adding the fresh stuff just works! That being said there are a TON of great brands and I tend to cycle through a few favorites. 209, Nolet’s, the list goes on. I like asking bartenders for their favorites and testing them out before investing in a bottle.
Some modifications for a sweeter drink
- Substitute the vermouth for simple syrup, honey, or agave nectar to sweeten the drink up.
- If you’re sweetening things up why not add a sprig of mint or basil for some more depth of flavor.
- A squeeze of lime juice will balance the sugar for a delicious drink.
Do You Shake or Stir Your Martini?
I like to stir my gin martinis. Not because shaking bruises the gin and creates a bitter flavor but because I think stirring better controls the amount of water that ends up in the drink. I end up shaking most of my other cocktails though so it’s definitely not a dealbreaker.
Steps to Make a Cucumber Martini
- Cut the cucumber into decently thin slices.
- Pour the vodka or gin into a glass along with the vermouth.
- Put the slices of cucumber in the glass with the vodka or gin and vermouth.
- To incorporate all that fresh cucumber flavor, muddle the cucumbers.
- Pour into a cocktail shaker and add ice. Stir and strain the drink into a coupe glass.
- Using a peeler, peel a thin slice of cucumber to use as a garnish.
IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE TRY THESE OUT!
If you’ve tried this cucumber martini cocktail then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Cucumber Martini
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
- 4 slices cucumber
- 3 oz gin 89mL, or vodka
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth 15mL
- cucumber for garnish
Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS
- Use a vegetable peeler to get a few thin slices of cucumber . Just run it down the side of the cucumber, discard the first slice or two, you don't want that much peel. Set aside for garnish.
- Cut remaining cucumber into 1/4 inch slices, you'll need 4-6 for the cocktail.
- Pour vermouth, gin (or vodka if preferred) in a cocktail shaker.
- Add slices of cucumber. Muddle the cucumbers.
- Add a handful of ice, stir well and strain into coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with a thin slice of cucumber.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Part of the “New Year, New Me” resolution is to try some different grown up drinks. I was taught as a teenager that to get into bars was to go up to the bartender as if you owned the bar and demand a drink in a confident tone. So I used the screwdriver as my drink and it has been my go to ever since. I will be 50 on my next birthday, so it is time to learn about other alcohols and drink recipes.
I tried this recipe using vodka, stirred. What I noticed about the recipe, it says this is for two drinks. For me, this recipe made 1 drink. I don’t have that certain glass, but the small drink glass I used was only 1/2 full. So I made another “batch” and had the equivalent of two drinks.
I liked this drink a lot. The taste of cucumber really shines through and I can imagine this on a hot summer day. I can’t wait to make this for friends.
Thank for the recipe, I will be trying more as the year progresses.
So glad you liked it!
I love great cucumber martinis, and this is a winner! I can’t wait to enjoy it!
Hi Rita,
I hope you enjoyed the cucumber martini!
Best,
John
This is now my go-to drink! So good and refreshing!