Herb-Infused Gin Martini with Cucumber Twist
A crisp gin martini enhanced with fresh herbs and a refreshing cucumber twist for a garden-fresh sip. This cocktails & beverages-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together London dry gin, Dry vermouth, leaves Fresh basil leaves 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 130 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 London dry gin
- 0.5 oz Dry vermouth
- 3 leaves Fresh basil leaves
- 1 sprig Fresh thyme sprig
- 1 long strip Cucumber ribbon
- as needed Ice cubes
- 1 strip Lemon twist
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass filled with ice cubes, pour 2.5 oz London dry gin and 0.5 oz dry vermouth.
- Step 2: Add 3 fresh basil leaves and 1 sprig of thyme to the mixing glass.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and lightly infuse the herbs without bruising.
- Step 4: Double strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass to remove herb bits and ice shards.
- Step 5: Garnish by threading a long cucumber ribbon inside the glass, spiraling from the bottom to the rim.
- Step 6: Express a lemon twist over the drink to release citrus oils, then rest it on the rim.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Gin Martini with Cucumber Twist 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 Herb-Infused Gin Martini with Cucumber Twist?
Refrigerate any leftover herb-infused gin martini with cucumber twist 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 Martini with Cucumber Twist?
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 Martini with Cucumber Twist 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 Martini with Cucumber Twist?
Cocktails & Beverages 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.