Refreshing Cucumber Mint Cocktail

Take some time on these hot summer days for a refreshing cocktail.  It’s perfect to use up some extra mint and cucumber from the garden!

1. Pick and rinse a young cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and mint (Mentha sp.) leaves.
2. Set aside mint plant tops for garnish.
3. For the mint simple syrup, combine ½ cup water, ½ cup sugar, and chopped mint leaves in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring this to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove the pan from heat and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
4. Cut 2 inches of the cucumber into round slices.
5. Strain the cooled mint syrup through a finely meshed sieve. Extra mint syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.
6. Combine the cucumber rounds, lime juice, whole mint leaves, and 1 tablespoon of mint simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Muddle for 1-2 minutes, until the cucumber and mint have released their flavors, but are not mushy.
7. Pour in 3 oz. vodka. Fill the shaker halfway with ice and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
8. Fill a 14 oz. glass with ice and pour in the strained cocktail.
9. Add the mint tops for garnish.
10. Sip and enjoy!

Ingredients:

½ cup cold water

½ cup sugar

1 cup mint leaves, loosely packed, plus 8-10 whole leaves

1 cucumber

2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh-squeezed

3 oz. vodka (substitute Seltzer water to create a Mocktail)