Cucumber-Mint Martini with Fresh Herb Garnish

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crisp, herbal martini featuring chilled cucumber juice and mint, offering a cool, palate-cleansing experience. This cocktails & drinks-inspired cocktails & beverages ready in about 12 minutes pairs gin, dry vermouth, fresh cucumber juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 95 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 12 min Serves 1 Cocktails & Drinks cuisine 95 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Grate 1/4 cup peeled cucumber and squeeze through a fine-mesh strainer to extract 0.5 oz juice; chill in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: In a shaker, combine 1.5 oz gin, 0.75 oz dry vermouth, and 0.5 oz chilled cucumber juice. Add 4 fresh mint leaves and gently muddle for 10 seconds to release oils.
  3. Step 3: Add ice to the shaker, shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the mixture is completely chilled and diluted, then strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  4. Step 4: Garnish with a lemon peel twist, expressing the oils over the drink before placing it in the glass.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cucumber-Mint Martini with Fresh Herb Garnish take to make?

Total time is about 12 minutes (12 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cucumber-Mint Martini with Fresh Herb Garnish?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep gin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cucumber-Mint Martini with Fresh Herb Garnish?

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 Martini with Fresh Herb Garnish 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 Martini with Fresh Herb Garnish?

Cocktails & Drinks 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.

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