Herb-Muddled Gin and Cucumber Cooler
A crisp gin cocktail bursting with fresh cucumber and herbaceous notes, perfect for a light and refreshing cooler. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together London dry gin, Fresh cucumber slices, 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 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 London dry gin
- 6 slices Fresh cucumber slices
- 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves
- 3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
- 2 oz Club soda
- enough for muddling and serving Ice cubes
- 1 for garnish Cucumber ribbon
- 1 for garnish Basil leaf
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, muddle 6 fresh cucumber slices and 6 fresh basil leaves gently to release their juices and aromas, avoiding over-muddling to prevent bitterness.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz London dry gin, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 oz simple syrup to the mixing glass.
- Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir gently with a bar spoon for 20 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Double strain into a chilled highball glass filled with fresh ice cubes to remove solids.
- Step 5: Top with 2 oz club soda and stir once lightly to combine.
- Step 6: Garnish by twisting a long cucumber ribbon and resting it inside the glass with a fresh basil leaf floated on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Muddled Gin and Cucumber Cooler 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-Muddled Gin and Cucumber Cooler?
Refrigerate any leftover herb-muddled gin and cucumber cooler 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-Muddled Gin and Cucumber Cooler?
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-Muddled Gin and Cucumber Cooler 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-Muddled Gin and Cucumber Cooler?
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.
