Cucumber Vodka Cocktails

Infused vodka has risen to new heights of popularity recently and range in flavor from pepper to whipped cream. One flavored vodka that is slowly gaining momentum is cucumber. This surprisingly versatile flavor is suitable as a base for a Vodka Martini, Bloody Mary or Bloody Caesar. It is also quite refreshing with light mixers such as seltzer or club soda and goes well with lime.

There are a few emerging commercial brands on the market today such as Square One on the top shelf, Effen in the middle and and a much more affordable Pearl somewhere near the bottom. Cucumber vodka can be hard to find if you don't know where to look. Thankfully, it is quite easy to make your own. You also have the freedom to use your own brand of favorite vodka and decide how much or how little cucumber essence you would like the finished product to have.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of Vodka

1 Cucumber

Supplies:

Peeler

Mandolin slicer or knife and cutting board or a food processor

Screw top jar large enough to accommodate your vodka and sliced cucumber

Procedure:

Peel and thinly slice the cucumber and put into the jar

(If you use a mandolin slicer, please use the safety guard. There is no need to lose a fingertip over this)

Pour the vodka on top

Seal and store in the fridge for 5 days to a week

I told you it was simple. The amount of cucumber essence will depend on the cucumber to vodka ratio and the amount of time that you let the two marry. After 7 days the cucumber will begin to break down in the alcohol and the finished product will become bitter. Sample it from time to time and when you are happy with the taste strain the vodka back into the bottle. I like to use the spent cucumber slices as a garnish.

Here are two cucumber melon fruit cocktails that I've been experimenting with.

The combination of cucumber, honey dew and pineapple come together nicely to create a refreshing, effervescent drink most appropriate for a spring or summer afternoon or evening. The salted rim on this drink works well with the cucumber. I used Italian basil for the first time in a drink recipe and it works wonderfully. Lemon or lime basil might have worked perfectly, but I didn't have any fresh at the moment. You have to work with what you've got.

Ingredients:

2 oz. Cucumber Vodka

3/4 oz. Midori

2 oz. Pineapple juice

2 Basil leaves

Cucumber slice

Lemon

Sea salt

tsp. sugar

Club soda

Ice

Supplies:

Cocktail shaker

Jigger or measured pour

Muddle

Knife

Cutting Board

Chilled highball glass

Procedure:

Rim the highball with lemon and sea salt.

Muddle the basil and sugar with a splash of club soda and fill the glass with ice.

Pour the cucumber vodka, midori and pineapple juice into the iced cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.

Strain into the glass and fill with club soda.

Garnish with a lemon twist and a cucumber slice.

If your looking for something with a little more kick, this is your drink. It's better suited for cocktail hour and is strong enough to warm you up on a cold night while still being fruity and refreshing.

I used Martini and Rossi Bianco in this one. Bianco is a very aromatic fortified wine if you are not familiar. I've been having trouble finding a good mix for it in drink recipes. I think that it works wonderfully in this one. A unique and interesting alternative to the ever popular appletini.

Ingredients:

2 oz. Cucumber Vodka

3/4 oz. Midori

1/2 oz. Martini & Rossi Bianco

2 oz. Pineapple juice

Lemon twist

Cucumber slice

Ice

Supplies:

Cocktail Shaker

Chilled martini glass

Procedure:

Pour the cucumber vodka, Midori, Bianco and pineapple juice into the iced cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.

Pour into the chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist and a cucumber slice.