Cucumber Martini Recipe

This easy Cucumber Martini recipe combines fresh muddled cucumber, vodka or gin, dry vermouth and simple syrup for a fresh, strong cocktail that's ready in minutes, and perfect for spring!

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This Cucumber Martini is my go-to cocktail for a hot summer night. A classic cocktail with a fresh twist, this martini always hits the spot.

Made with vodka or gin, dry vermouth, simple syrup, and fresh cucumbers- this ice cold refreshing cocktail is ready in minutes. Impress your guest by serving with thinly sliced cucumber in a chilled martini glass!

This recipe uses minimal ingredients, so the fresh cucumber flavor really shines through!

Ingredients

To make these Cucumber Martinis, you will need:

Some thick Cucumber slices. You can use any cucumbers you like, such as English cucumbers. I prefer mini Persian cucumbers for this recipe, since they are more delicate and muddle well. You'll muddle these until they are nice and pulverized in a cocktail shaker to release all their flavor. If you opt to use traditional garden cucumbers or English cucumbers, you may want to go with thin slices to make them easier to muddle.

Vodka or Gin. Entirely up to your preference. Vodka is a cleaner, more cucumber forward way to make the martinis, while good quality Gin imparts a delicious herbal note to the cocktails.

Dry Vermouth. A fortified white wine with a crisp, herbaceous, and floral taste, dry vermouth adds a great background note to a classic martini. If you prefer, you can omit it from the overall drink blend, or simply swish some in your martini glass then dump it out to give a light hint of it's flavor.

Simple syrup. An easy way to add sweetness to a cocktail, simple syrup is made from equal parts water and sugar that is heated until the sugar is dissolved, then cooled and chilled. You can make your own, or purchase it from the supermarket or liquor store. You don't need a lot for this recipe, just enough to balance out the other flavors in the cocktail.

A cup of ice. The key to a great martini is making sure it's very COLD.

Cucumber slices, for garnish. I love to slice these extra thin with a mandolin or vegetable peeler, and drape them inside the martini glasses.

Tools

A good cocktail shaker or mason jar. If using a mason jar, you will still need some form of strainer nearby to make sure the cocktails pour ultra smooth and clean.

A couple chilled martini glasses. op them in the freezer 30 minutes or so before serving.

If going the fancy garnish route, a veggie peeler or mandolin for slicing the cucumbers ultra thin.

A cocktail muddler, or the back of a wooden spoon, for releasing the flavor from the fresh cucumbers.

Optional add-ins

Add a splash of elderflower liqueur for a fun and floral note.

Muddle in some fresh basil for some herbaceous flavor.

Try adding a bit of fresh lime juice or lemon juice for a citrus kick.

Serving and Garnish

Fancy Cucumbers

For an elegant way of serving the cocktails, use mini cucumbers, and thinly slice them lengthwise on a mandolin, or with a vegetable peeler. Mini fresh cucumbers are great for this garnish, as the are the perfect size to wrap the inside of a martini glass.

Ice Cold Martini Glasses

Place your cocktail glasses in the freezer for about 30 minutes prior to serving for a frosty cold glass.

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