Why we love this cilantro cucumber cooler
I’ve been dying to use cilantro in cocktails for a while. I’ve also loved fresh herbs in my drinks – like a gin basil smash or rosemary in a margarita – but I just needed to make something with cilantro. The combo of cucumber and cilantro is refreshing, and by lengthening the drink with bubbles, it becomes the perfect summer cocktail.
If you like cucumber in a drink, you have to try this cucumber margarita, an eastside cocktail or the historical Pimm’s cup. We also love an Irish maidIrish Maid.
Searching for more herbaceous drink recipes? Mix up a basil grapefruit martini or a lavender gin lemonade.
Ingredients & substitutions
- Vodka – This cocktail also works very well with pisco as the base spirit. I haven’t tried it with any other spirits, but vodka is the optimal choice here.
- Cilantro
- Seedless cucumber
- Lime juice – Fresh squeezed is best. You could also use lemon juice if that’s what you have on hand. I don’t recommend bottled juice for this cocktail.
- Simple syrup
- Club soda
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make this cilantro cucumber cooler
Make your drink. Muddle the cucumber and cilantro with a little lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Then, add ice and the remaining ingredients. Cover and shake until cold.
Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with club soda.
Garnish and serve. Pop a few extra cucumber slices into your glass and top with some extra cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you muddle cilantro? Yes you can muddle cilantro, and we encourage you to. Muddling cilantro releases the flavor and aroma of the cilantro, infusing it into the drink. It’s important not to over-muddle, as this can release bitter compounds from the leaves. Muddle the cilantro leaves just a bit before shaking in the cocktail shaker which will release even more flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
- 2 thin cucumber slices
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces vodka
- Club soda
- For garnish: cucumber slices (fresh cilantro)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber slices, cilantro and lime juice. Then, add remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Cover and shake until cold.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda.
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