Cucumber-Infused Gin Martini
A crisp, herbaceous martini with cucumber's cool freshness balanced by dry gin and vermouth. This global-inspired cocktails & beverages ready in about 5 minutes brings together gin, dry vermouth, dash orange bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz gin
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 cucumber slice
- for garnish cucumber ribbon
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 cucumber slice in a cocktail shaker and muddle gently for 10 seconds until the cucumber yields its juices and becomes fragrant, avoiding excessive pulp.
- Step 2: Add 2.5 oz gin, 0.5 oz dry vermouth, and 1 dash orange bitters to the shaker with ice. Shake firmly for 15 seconds until the exterior of the shaker feels cold.
- Step 3: Strain into a chilled martini glass, then garnish with a cucumber ribbon for visual appeal and aromatic lift.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cucumber-Infused Gin Martini take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Cucumber-Infused Gin Martini?
Refrigerate any leftover cucumber-infused gin martini in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cucumber-Infused Gin Martini?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cucumber-Infused Gin Martini for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cucumber-Infused Gin Martini?
Global cocktails & beverages like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The cucumber really elevated the gin.
- ★★★★★
My family loved it at the picnic. So light and refreshing!
- ★★★★★
A great twist on a classic. The balance was spot on.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.