Cucumber and mint cooler
Muddled cucumber, mint and lime topped with soda. Green, clean and very cold.
- Time
- 5 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Highball
- Strength
- Alcohol-free
How to make a cucumber and mint cooler
- Muddle. Put the cucumber slices, mint and sugar syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Press firmly 6 or 7 times with the back of a spoon, until the cucumber is wet and smells fresh.
- Add lime and ice. Add the lime juice and fill the shaker with ice. Shake for 8 seconds.
- Strain. Strain over fresh ice in a highball glass, using a fine strainer if you do not want the mint flecks.
- Top and garnish. Top with soda water and stir once. Peel a ribbon of cucumber with a peeler, curl it into the glass and add a mint sprig.
- Glass
- HighballNo highball? A large tumbler.
- Ice
- Ice cubes
- Garnish
- Cucumber ribbon and a mint sprigOr: A lime wheel.
What you need to make a cucumber and mint cooler
Kit
JiggerA double-ended measure, usually 25 ml and 50 ml.
Cocktail shakerA two-piece Boston tin is the easiest to use and clean.
Bar spoonA long teaspoon does the job.
Citrus squeezerFresh juice makes the biggest difference of anything.
StrainerA Hawthorne strainer fits over the tin or glass.
Bottles we'd use
- Soda waterA strongly carbonated one keeps its fizz for longer.Find it on Amazon
Links to Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Bar Bandol may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Cucumber and mint cooler variations and swaps
Add 40 ml of gin or vodka to the shaker for a grown-up version. Gin suits the cucumber best. For a floral twist, use 20 ml of elderflower cordial in place of the sugar syrup. For some heat, muddle two thin slices of fresh chilli with the cucumber. Making six? Blend two cucumbers, 48 mint leaves, 120 ml of lime juice and 90 ml of sugar syrup, then strain through a fine sieve. Chill it, then pour a sixth of it over ice in each glass and top with soda water.
The cucumber and mint cooler story
Cucumber and mint is a classic pairing for long summer drinks. The cucumber is cool and a little watery, the mint is sharp and fresh, and lime ties them together.
This is related to the virgin mojito, but the cucumber makes it lighter and more savoury. Use about a third of a cucumber, muddled until it is wet and glistening, and fine-strain if you do not want bits in the glass.
Cucumber and mint cooler: your questions answered
What is in a cucumber and mint cooler?
A cucumber and mint cooler is made with cucumber, 8 fresh mint leaves, 20 ml fresh lime juice, 15 ml sugar syrup and soda water to top. Garnish: cucumber ribbon and a mint sprig.
Is this cucumber and mint cooler alcohol-free?
Yes. This cucumber and mint cooler is made without any alcoholic ingredients, so it suits drivers and anyone taking a night off.
What glass do you serve a cucumber and mint cooler in?
Serve a cucumber and mint cooler in a highball over ice. No highball? A large tumbler.
