Herb-Infused Gin Cucumber Sour
A crisp and tangy sour cocktail featuring fresh cucumber and fragrant basil with floral gin and tart lemon. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) 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 140 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
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
- 3 cucumber slices
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 1 small egg white
- 1 (for garnish) basil leaf
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shaker, muddle 3 slices of cucumber and 4 fresh basil leaves gently to release their flavors.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 3/4 oz simple syrup, and 1 small egg white.
- Step 3: Dry shake (no ice) vigorously for 20 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Step 4: Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake again for 15 seconds until chilled and frothy.
- Step 5: Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to remove solids and achieve a silky texture.
- Step 6: Garnish by floating 1 fresh basil leaf on the foam surface for aroma and presentation.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Gin Cucumber Sour take to make?
Total time is about 8 minutes (8 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 Herb-Infused Gin Cucumber Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover herb-infused gin cucumber sour 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 Herb-Infused Gin Cucumber Sour?
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 Herb-Infused Gin Cucumber Sour 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 Herb-Infused Gin Cucumber Sour?
Cocktails 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.
