Oh my God, I know. What a boring name. At least it will help you remember the ingredients. Also, this drink comes with a proviso. You can only drink it if you promise not to hate me when you discover it is not the most awesome Drink of the Week you have had. Ok? Because it could be better. Aaaaaaaand, I'm gonna fix it. I'm gonna make it better, but you might not like how I do that. I'll explain. After the soda tasting I decided I had to use Mr. Q Cumber soda for a Drink of the Week, which was a brilliant idea (sort of). Mr. Q Cucumber soda has one fatal flaw: it's just too sweet. So the drink, although good, is not great or awesome or any other adjective that implies above average. The entire time I was making it I felt a little unsure, but I knew I had to see it through, and hey, maybe you like sweet. Maybe it will be just perfect for you. I don't know. My usual taste tester (my brother, Jason) informed me (after I slaved over this drink) that he does not like cucumbers. I think he gets it from our Dad, who also doesn't like cucumbers, except he would never admit that. He would always say that he was allergic to cucumbers and I remember thinking there must be something seriously wrong with him because cucumbers are a very funny thing to be allergic to. I once had a boyfriend in college that gave me some horrible smelling perfume for my birthday. Old lady perfume, I mean, come on. I told him that it gave me an allergic reaction and I would not be able to wear it, but assured him that I am heartbroken over it, since I loved it so much. So I guess we all have our "allergies." Fortunately for me, my other taster (Andrew) has no cucumber allergies and was able to sample the drink. "Mmmmmmmm. Honey, this is good. Buuuuuuuuuut. I think it is a bit too sweet for my taste." This comes from a man that can eat all of the candy in his Easter basket (yes, he still gets an Easter basket) in one sitting. So, I knew at that point it was definitely too sweet. Well my plan is to (this is the part that you aren't going to like, because it will make this drink a total pain in the ass) juice some cucumbers, add club soda, a bit of simple syrup and all of the rest of the ingredients. This way I can control the sweetness. I can't imagine you will want to do this, too, but I feel like I have to. I will let you know how it goes. For now, try to enjoy this, and if this isn't your thing or you are allergic to cucumbers (wink, wink), try this or this.
Cucumber Lemon Elixir
6 oz Mr. Q Cumber Soda
1 oz Vodka
1/2 Tbl Robert Lambert Meyer Lemon Syrup (who am I kidding?)
Juice of one Lemon
6 - 10 mint leaves
Cucumber slices for garnish
In the bottom of a sturdy glass, muddle the mint leaves. Add soda, vodka, syrup, lemon juice and stir. Pour over ice. Garnish with cucumber and try to enjoy.
12 comments:
Pity that the soda is so sweet, because lemon + mint + cucumber sounds fantastic. It makes me think of a hot summer afternoon, and how refreshing that would be.
This is coming from a brain that's been reading contracts all day, so forgive me if it sounds completely wonky, but - what if you cut the cucumber soda with some tonic water? I find tonic to be almost bitter, and "watering" the soda down with it might pull down the sugar a bit?
Just a thought.
Either way, I'm probably going to make eight of these as soon as I get home.
Oh BABY. We have a cheap-o thrifted juicer that we never, ever use, but if you try this drink again with cucumber juice, and if it's good, I swear, I will get out our juicer in a split second and give it a go. It sounds amazing. DO IT.
xo
P.S. Have a nice weekend.
Okay, wait. I just told Brandon about your drink, and he says:
"I don't think she should juice the cucumber. I think it would be a pain, and not worth it. I think if she puts all her other ingredients in a shaker with some slices of cucumber and muddles and shakes it, she'll have plenty of cucumber flavor."
xo!
I like it...perfect and summery.
Oh my God, my sister is "allergic" to cucumbers. I always thought it was the weirdest thing to be allergic to and had never heard of anyone else having such an allergy. And going to a restaurant, let me tell you, it would test the patience of Job. She can't order straight off the menu, everything has to be adjusted. Thanks for the letting me feel I'm not alone with funny sibblings.
It actually sounds quite incredible, but I'll take your word for it and not get tooo excited.
My favorite ever libation is a cucumber martini from a restaurant here in Nashville, and I've tried to recreate it a thousand times, to no avail.
*sigh*
It only had the slightest hint of fresh cucumber juice.
My father also has a cucumber "allergy" but i have a feeling that it is more phycological than a taste thing. You see cucumbers are the only food that pigs refuse to eat and i think that really makes him question weather he should be eating them eather.
Great, I have an excuse for not eating green beans! I am allergic!
I love the way you blog about mixed drinks. A story, insight into how/why you put it together the way you did, and your thoughts about the final result. Do you know of any other folks that blog about mixed drinks?
Cucumber sounds so refreshing. Can't wait to hear how it comes out after juicing the cucumber.
I was just at a spa in Utah and they serve water with lemons and cucumbers and it was so yummy. Adding vodka to the mix might just wind up being the summer drink of 08! Thanks.
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