This cucumber martini is accented with the lively flavors of fresh basil and lime, for a taste as refreshing as it is refined.
You don't have to spend a lot of money at a high-end cocktail lounge to enjoy a masterfully crafted artisan drink. All it takes is one quick stop at your local grocery store to pick up some fresh ingredients, as well as a good-quality vodka to really make your martini sing! This cucumber martini recipe is as good as anything you will be served at the most refined cocktail lounges.
What is a Martini
A traditional martini is a strong cocktail crafted with gin or vodka and a swirl of vermouth. However, over the years, many more flavorful variations have adopted the martini name. Cocktails such as my cucumber martini feature more flavorings than the classic martini but still showcase the liquor as a major flavoring agent.
Best Vodka for Martinis
Since the vodka is a primary component of the martini's taste, it is important to use a high-quality vodka. Using a lesser quality vodka will impart an unpleasant astringent burn into each sip, masking many of the other flavors present. Whereas a premium vodka will lend a smooth taste that highlights the flavors of the martini while also making the cocktail more pleasant to drink.
Cucumber Martini
If you have never experienced the fresh flavor of cucumber in a drink, get ready to fall in love! The cool taste of cucumber juice blends beautifully with vodka and provides the perfect base for the bright punches of basil and lime that accent this flavorful cocktail.
This cocktail is best prepared in a cocktail shaker, as you will want to muddle the cucumber and basil to extract the flavors into the drink. I prefer to muddle the cucumber and basil along with the simple syrup because the simple syrup does a great job drinking up the flavor.
How to Make It
To make this cucumber martini recipe, begin by muddling the cucumber to extract its juice. The best way to muddle a cucumber is to peel the skin off, slice it in half, and scoop out the seeds. Then chop it into 1" chunks.
Place these chunks in a cocktail shaker along with the simple syrup and basil. Then proceed to smash them down with a cocktail muddler; this will release the juice from the cucumber.
You can then add the lime juice, vodka, and ice. Shake vigorously, then strain the cucumber mixture into martini glasses. When the finished martini is strained from the shaker, the smashed pulp will be separated from the liquid and left behind.
Cucumber Martini
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 3 inches Cucumber (skinned, seeded, and chopped into chunks)
- 2 Basil leaves (torn)
- ½ ounce Simple Syrup
- 2 ounces Vodka
- ½ ounce fresh Lime Juice
- Ice
Instructions
- Place cucumber chunks into a cocktail shaker with torn basil and simple syrup, and muddle to release juice from cucumber.
- Add vodka, lime juice, and a handful of ice to cocktail shaker, cover with lid and shake vigorously.
- Once the exterior of the shaker is frosty cold, pour into a martini glass. Garnish with basil and cucumber slice (optional) and serve.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published July 19, 2018.
Joe
Lemon/lime salted rim pushes it over the top!
Logan Smith
How much volume do the cucumbers add? (trying to calculate for a large batch cocktail)
Doreen
Absolutely yummy
Kristi
Everyone that I've made this for love it. This is my favorite summer, and all year long, drink.
Joanne
Delicious 👍
Cathrun
Looks delicious. I'm a gin girl, so will try to sub that out for the vodka in this recipe~!
Bella
How did the gin version go?
Kris Levis
I made it for my mom and she loved it.
Tracy P
My all-time favorite martini is at Gloria's restaurant in North Texas area. They actually call it a Spicy Cucumber Margarita, so it's not technically a martini, but I have been searching for a similar flavor and no restaurant can duplicate it. Finally, I've found the perfect alternative. This is delicious! So fresh too. I used fresh basil from my garden. I made it spicy by putting a Tajin rim on the glass, which is what Gloria's uses. You could also add a little jalapeno to make it spicier, but I left that out. Thank you so much for this recipe! Sidenote: we used a Texas made vodka called Tower Vodka.
Stephanie
Perfect recipe!! Delish!!
Olivia
Delish!! I used agave instead of simply syrup basil gave a it a earthy taste.
Fox Valley Foodie
That's a good substitution.
Rickee Tetherow
Delicious! Been trying to find a recipe that is not too sweet, love the fresh basil!
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks for the feedback, it is one of my favorites!
Lil
Wow that tasted really fresh! I never had a martini like that!