Cucumber Mint Gimlet
Learn how to make a refreshing cucumber and mint gimlet. This naturally sweetened cucumber cocktail is perfect for warm days.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on May 22, 2025
I can’t resist a cucumber drink on restaurant menus. Cucumber cocktails are the epitome of refreshing: light, summery and hydrating.
It’s no wonder restaurants call these gin and lime numbers by other names, though. “Gimlet” sounds like “piglet” and, as such, doesn’t sound nearly sexy enough to describe this drink.
Classic gimlets are composed of gin, lime juice and a touch of sweetener. Something magical happens when these basic ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass.
I muddled cucumber and mint into this gimlet to make it extra enticing. Technically, you could call this cocktail an Eastside (thanks to the cucumber), a Southside (thanks to the mint), or more accurately, an Eastside-Southside hybrid. Anyway, let’s make one.
The key to making this drink spectacular is to use good gin (preferably Hendrick’s, which has cucumber notes) and a good cucumber (peel it first in case the skin is bitter).
Gin haters, you can substitute vodka, but gin is really lovely here. So, happy hour?
More Fresh Gin Cocktails to Enjoy
Cucumber Mint Gimlet
Learn how to make a refreshing cucumber and mint gimlet. This naturally sweetened cucumber cocktail is perfect for warm days.
Ingredients
Per cocktail
- 2-inch slice of peeled cucumber, halved and then quartered
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoons light agave nectar or simple syrup
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 ½ ounces gin, preferably Hendrick’s
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber, mint and agave nectar until the cucumber offers no more resistance.
- Fill the shaker with ice, then pour in the lime juice and gin. Put the lid on your shaker and shake until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish with a tiny sprig of mint, if you’d like.
Notes
Recipe adapted from my basil gimlet cocktail.
Change it up: You can use vodka if you don’t like gin. Other ideas: substitute basil for mint, and/or add a little splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and/or muddle some fresh jalapeño with the cucumber.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
4 years late to the cocktail party maybe but I don’t care. I love a gin cocktail and fancied something refreshing tonight so what better excuse to treat myself to a bottle of Hendricks. Deeee lish. This one’s a keeper!
I’m glad you loved it! Never too late to enjoy. :)
Absolutely wonderful recipe! Thanks so much for posting this. I made my version with Keto simple syrup and you would never know it didn’t have sugar! Only problem with this is the desire to drink a gallon of it
Summer in a glass Just what you need to take your Hendricks up a notch.
Where do I get those amazing cocktail glasses?! Please let me know:)
Hey Anna! I stole these from my parents’ cabinet, so I’m afraid they’re vintage. :)
Well the drink was fabulous!!
Could you ask your lovely parents what is the name of the glasses you stole hehe:) I would like to research and find them.. that is what I have been on the search for!!:)
Thank you in advance!
Hey Anna, glad to hear it! I just double-checked and the glasses don’t have a brand name on them. You could try searching for “vintage coupe glasses set” on eBay or Etsy. These are made of glass, not crystal.
I invented some new drinks with tequila utilizing the muddled mint and strawberry’s. Next I’ll try it with cucumber . We grew spearmint, peppermint, orange mint and mojito mint in our herb garden. Great recipe 9 outa 10!
Such a deliciously refreshing cocktail! My one request would be a version designed for a group because this feels a little time intensive for the small drink it makes, and once one comes out, everyone wants one!
I was so excited for this recipe, I was testing it for a small gathering and so I decided to follow your juicing instructions for the cucumber and mint and I think that’s where the problem lay. I found it tasted bitter not fresh. I think muddling it would have been much better.
I was looking for something refreshing made with Gin and Cucumbers.
When this came up it sounded great. It was in fact both refreshing & delicious. My new favorite!
That’s great! Thank you for sharing, Gina. I appreciate your review.
Love, love this! My go to summer drink, I use Hendricks gin, add 1/2 oz of St Germaine elderflower liquor & a splash of seltzer water, so yummy!
Love this cocktail! I add a couple drops of lavender bitters sometimes. Peak summer drink
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Zee! Thank you for your review.
I only used half of a lime and added a splash of club soda- was nice and refreshing!
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Ange! Thank you for your review.
This is almost exactly an Eastside, which is a variation of a Southside. Similar to a Gimlet, but not the same. Be sure to double strain and try garnishing with cucumber.
Hi! If I make the cucumber juice like in the linked recipe, how much cucumber juice should I use per cocktail serving? Want to make sure I get the ratios right. Thanks!
Hi Hilary, Likely a few tablespoons per serving. This is an older recipe, so I don’t remember the exact ratios. Sorry!