Kirsten Turk
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Cucumber Jalapeño Garden Gin and Tonic
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A gin and tonic is honestly one of my favorites cocktails, and a consistent go-to for me. However, I always love to take it up a notch. Whether it’s something as simple as a little St. Germain and squeeze of a grapefruit, or something a little more complex (but still easy!) like this Cucumber Jalapeño Garden Gin and Tonic, you seriously can’t go wrong with a g & t.
I love to make this garden gin and tonic in the spring and summer. I feel like the flavors make it the perfect patio sipper. This one combines cucumber, jalapeño and lime. You really could make this with ingredients straight from your garden! Then all you need is your favorite gin (mine’s currently Aviation Gin), a simple honey syrup and tonic water– that’s it. Simple and delish!
To read: Take a Moment: an Ode To Spring
How to Make Honey Syrup
To make the honey syrup used in this recipe, simply combine equal parts honey with warm water and mix or shake until the honey is fully incorporated. The reason you do this is because if you added the honey straight to your drink without mixing with warm water first, the coldness would harden the honey, and all of your honey would stay at the bottom of your cocktail glass instead of incorporating into the drink.
Sometimes if I’m going to be making a lot of cocktails that use honey syrup, I’ll just buy a small honey and pour out half into a different jar, and then fill the other half of the honey container with hot water and shake. That way, you have an easy squeeze top which is perfect for making cocktails with! I always love to use local honey, cause I have allergies and it helps! I also just find that it tastes better than what you buy at the store.
Bar Tools Needed to make a Garden Gin and Tonic
For this Cucumber Jalapeño Garden Gin and Tonic you’ll need a muddler, citrus reamer (aka lime squeezer), bottle opener for the tonic water and a jigger. Plus, the cocktail glass of your choice. I used a an 11 oz double old fashion glass, so keep that in mind if you use a highball!
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Cucumber Jalapeño Garden Gin and Tonic
This Cucumber Jalapeño Garden Gin and Tonic takes the classic g&t up a notch and is the perfect spring or summertime sipper!
Ingredients
- 4–5 english cucumber slices
- 3 jalapeños slices (or less or more depending on how spicy you like it!)
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water combined)
- 1.5 oz if your favorite gin (mine’s Aviation Gin)
- Tonic water (I like Fever Tree Light)
Instructions
- Make the honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and warm water. Stir or shake until well combined and set aside.
- Add your cucumber and jalapeños to a double old fashion glass. Top with 1/2 oz honey syrup and muddle.
- Pour in your favorite gin.
- Squeeze in the juice from half a lime.
- Fill glass with ice.
- Top with tonic water and garnish.
- Enjoy!
Notes
You can make this as spicy as you want! If you want no spice, just make sure there are no seeds in your jalapeño and only use 2 or 3 slices. If you want more spice, use 4 or 5 slices that have the seeds!
Make sure you are using a quality tonic water – trust me it makes a difference!
What’s your favorite way to make a gin and tonic? Share it below in the comments!
Throughout this blog are affiliate links including, but not limited to, links from Amazon Associates and LTK. If you use one of these links to make a purchase, I have the opportunity to earn money from your qualifying purchases.
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