Cucumber Collins

The Cucumber Collins is a refreshing twist that takes everything you love about the Tom Collins and turns it into a cool and crisp summer cocktail.

It’s super clean, not too sweet, and ideal for balmy summer nights with friends.

Easy Cucumber Collins Cocktail

The classic Tom Collins cocktail uses lemon juice and gin, making it very botanical and zesty.

This Cucumber Collins calls for lime juice and pureed cucumber, which brings a beautiful freshness I know you’ll love.

Ingredients:

To make simple syrup, just simmer equal parts sugar and water (1 cup and 1 cup) until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool, then store it in the fridge.

When that’s made and cooled, here’s what you’ll need to make this fun gin drink:

• Cucumber
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Simple Syrup
• Gin
• Club Soda

How To Make A Cucumber Collins:

1. *Muddle the cucumber and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. 
2. Add the simple syrup and gin along with crushed ice. Seal and shake for 20-30 seconds. 
3. Pour the mixture into chilled glasses with ice and top up with club soda.

*Another option is to puree the cucumbers with the lime juice.

What Is the Best Gin for A Cucumber Collins?

The best gin for this cocktail will obviously depend on your tastes.

That said, your choice will greatly influence the flavor of a Cucumber Collins. With that in mind, here are a few options at different price points:

Best Budget-Friendly Gin: Gordon’s London Dry Gin

You really can’t beat a classic London Dry Gin - especially for cocktails.

And Gordon’s juniper-forward blend with notes of citrus is clean and well-balanced, making it ideal for this refreshing drink recipe.

Best Mid-Range Gin: Hendrick’s Gin

Hendrick’s is well-known for its cucumber and rose petal infusion. So it makes total sense to add it to this Cucumber Collins.

The unique flavor enhances the fresh and floral complexity, while keeping it clean and smooth.

Best Premium Gin: The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

Crafted on the island of Islay in Scotland, The Botanist features 22 local botanicals, including herbs, flowers, and citrus peels.

So to me, that couldn’t be more perfect for a somewhat savory cocktail.

The Botanist is rich and aromatic, and even great for gin-haters.

Best Luxury Gin: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

Originating from Germany’s Black Forest, Monkey 47 is an intense blend of 47 botanicals. Needless to say, it’s a complex gin with a rich, multi-layered taste.

Since it’s pretty pricey, I don’t typically use it for cocktails. But this Cucumber Collins is pretty clean with only a few ingredients, so the gin can really shine.

Recipe Variations

Once you try this Cucumber Collins, you’ll be hooked on the pairing of cucumber and gin. I certainly was!

So, here are a few other gin and cucumber cocktails I know you’ll love:

1. Cucumber Basil Collins - Add a handful of fresh basil leaves to the cocktail shaker and muddle them with the cucumber. This will give it an extra punchy herbal note.

2. Cucumber Elderflower Collins- Substitute the simple syrup for elderflower liqueur (like St. Germain). The floral, sweet flavor will complement any botanical booze.

3. Spicy Cucumber Collins - Add a slice or two of fresh jalapeño to the cocktail shaker and muddle it with the cucumber. That kick of heat is incredible against the cool cucumber.

4. Cucumber Gin and Tonic - Want something more familiar? Muddle a few slices of cucumber in the bottom of a glass. Then add 2 ounces of gin and top it up with tonic water.

Garnish with a slice of cucumber and a slice of lime.

5. Cucumber Gin Fizz - Muddle a few slices of cucumber in a cocktail shaker. Add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lemon juice, 1/2 ounce of simple syrup, and some ice, then shake until chilled.

Strain into a glass filled with ice and top it up with club soda.