Cucumber-Mint Gin Highball with Tonic Water
A cooling highball cocktail combining fresh cucumber and mint with botanical gin and crisp tonic water. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together gin, tonic water, cucumber slices 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 120 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 oz gin
- 4 oz tonic water
- 4 pieces cucumber slices
- 6 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Lightly muddle 4 cucumber slices and 6 fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a shaker to release their aromas.
- Step 2: Fill a tall highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill.
- Step 3: Strain the muddled cucumber and mint into the glass to keep the flavors but avoid solids.
- Step 4: Add 2 oz of gin over the ice and muddled herbs.
- Step 5: Top with 4 oz of tonic water, pouring gently to retain bubbles.
- Step 6: Stir gently once with a bar spoon to combine botanical flavors evenly.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1 additional cucumber slice and a sprig of mint for freshness and visual appeal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cucumber-Mint Gin Highball with Tonic Water take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 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-Mint Gin Highball with Tonic Water?
Refrigerate any leftover cucumber-mint gin highball with tonic water 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-Mint Gin Highball with Tonic Water?
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-Mint Gin Highball with Tonic Water 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-Mint Gin Highball with Tonic Water?
General cocktails & drinks 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.
