Last summer, during a heatwave that felt like living inside an oven, I stumbled upon this Basil Cucumber Gin Cooler recipe. It was like finding an oasis in a desert—crisp, herby, and with just the right amount of zing to make the sweltering days feel like a distant memory. Imagine sipping this while lounging on a beach somewhere, or just your backyard, pretending it’s a beach.
Steps
- Start by peeling and chopping a 2-inch piece of cucumber. In a cocktail shaker, combine the cucumber with grated lemon zest, fresh basil leaves, and agave nectar. Use a muddler to crush these ingredients together, releasing their flavors.
- Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and ice cubes to the shaker. Stir the mixture for about 10 seconds to ensure everything is well combined and chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes. Top it off with a splash of seltzer to add some fizz.
- For presentation, garnish your drink with a thin slice of lemon and cucumber. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2-inch piece of cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 2 fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Splash of seltzer
- 1 thin slice of lemon, for garnish
- 1 thin slice of cucumber, for garnish
FAQ
- What ingredients are needed for the Basil-Cucumber Gin Cooler?
- The cocktail requires a 2-inch piece of peeled and chopped cucumber, 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, 2 fresh basil leaves, 1 teaspoon of agave nectar, 1 1/2 ounces of gin, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, ice cubes, a splash of seltzer, and thin slices of lemon and cucumber for garnish.
- How do you make the Basil-Cucumber Gin Cooler?
- Start by muddling the cucumber, lemon zest, basil, and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker. Add the gin, lemon juice, and ice cubes, then stir for 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes, top with seltzer, and garnish with lemon and cucumber slices.
- How many calories are in the Basil-Cucumber Gin Cooler?
- This cocktail has approximately 137 calories per serving.
- What are some tips for creating low-calorie cocktails?
- To make low-calorie cocktails, consider using lower-proof alcohol, avoiding store-bought syrups and mixes, opting for seltzer instead of tonic water, and adding seltzer to wine for a spritzer.
- Are there other low-calorie cocktail recipes recommended?
- Yes, other suggested low-calorie cocktails include Boozy Watermelon Lime Granita, Iced Green Tea Mojito, Citrus Margarita Spritzer, Watermelon Martini, Mango Bellini, Celery Cilantro Cocktail, Skinny Girl Margarita, and Pomegranate Martini.
Tips
- Opt for a lower-proof gin to keep the cocktail lighter and reduce the calorie count.
- Use fresh lemon juice and avoid store-bought syrups for a more natural taste and fewer calories.
- Muddle the cucumber, lemon zest, and basil thoroughly to release all the flavors before adding the other ingredients.
- Substitute tonic water with seltzer to save on calories, as tonic water contains significantly more calories per cup.
Equipment
- Cucumber Gin Cooler:
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Rocks glass
- Fine mesh strainer or cocktail strainer
