Ginger-Cucumber Martini

Name: Ginger-Cucumber Martini
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup white sugar; 1 cup fresh ginger, (cut into 1-inch cubes and peeled); 2 ounces vodka or gin; 2 ounces cucumber juice, (see notes for juicing instructions); 1 ounce orange liqueur; ½ ounce ginger simple syrup; ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice; Ice; Fresh cucumber slices, (for garnish, optional)

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Meet your new signature summer cocktail and kick back with this ginger-cucumber martini. Featuring a fresh ginger simple syrup and bright lemon juice, this cucumber sipper is crisp and citrusy with just the right kick of spice. Perfect for a summer evening on the patio.

A ginger-cucumber martini on a small plate with a pile of cucumber slices behind it and colorful flowers on the left.

During a beach vacation in the Dominican Republic, I ordered this ginger-cucumber martini after one too many fruity tropical drinks, and it quickly became my go-to sipper when I needed something light and refreshing without too much sugar. The ginger addition gave it a complexity that your standard cucumber martini just doesn't have, so I knew I had to recreate it at home.

I tested two drinks side by side: one with a ginger liqueur and one with my homemade ginger simple syrup. When I first tasted the one with the ginger liqueur, it was delicious and seemed like the winner.

But that quickly changed when I sipped the version with the ginger syrup. The ginger flavor really stood out without overwhelming the delicate cucumber. With the liqueur, the ginger took more of a backseat, but here, the flavors work more like an evenly matched duo.

Ready to make it your new favorite cucumber cocktail? Here's everything you need.

Ingredient Notes and Variations

The cucumber martini ingredients in shot glasses on a cream-colored wooden surface.

Vodka or gin: I tested both liquors, and it comes down to personal preference. For a cleaner flavor, go with vodka. Gin, on the other hand, will give you an additional touch of herbal flavors.

Cucumber juice: Some recipes call for muddled cucumbers, but cucumber juice gives you a much stronger flavor.

Ginger simple syrup: While you can buy this, I highly recommend my homemade ginger syrup, which just calls for water, white sugar, and fresh ginger.

Orange liqueur: Triple sec works, or you could go with Cointreau if you’re feeling fancy.

Lemon juice: Fresh is best. Skip the bottled juice.

How to Make a Cucumber Martini

The Ginger Simple Syrup

Step 1: First, we need to make our ginger syrup. We start by bringing water, sugar, and fresh ginger to a boil, stirring every so often to dissolve the sugar.

Step 2: After boiling, we turn off the heat and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes.

Step 3: From here, we pour the ginger mixture into a blender and process the mixture until smooth. We then place a fine-mesh sieve over a measuring cup and strain to separate the liquid. What’s left in our measuring cup is our ginger simple syrup.

A collage showing the ginger simple syrup for the cucumber martini simmering on the stove, being processed in the blender, and then strained into a bowl.

The Drink

Step 1: We pour our vodka or gin, cucumber juice, ginger simple syrup, orange liqueur, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice.

Step 2: Now we secure the lid and give it a good shake to both chill and dilute the drink with just enough melted ice.

Step 3: We remove the cocktail shaker top and strain into our glass. If we’re feeling extra fancy, we can add a cucumber slice to the glass as a pretty garnish.

A collage showing the ginger-cucumber martini being made in a cocktail shaker and poured into a glass on a cream-colored wooden surface.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this into a batch cocktail?

It’s best to still shake the cocktail to get the proper aeration and dilution, but you can stir together the ingredients in a large pitcher, store covered in the refrigerator, and then shake when you’re ready to serve. Citrus starts to lose its brightness after juicing, so I recommend batching up to 24 hours.

How do I juice a cucumber?

You peel the cucumbers, cut them into chunks, toss them in the blender with some water, and process. The cucumbers will create a foamy layer, so you’ll want to strain the juice once or twice with a fine-mesh sieve. After juicing, you’ll want to use the cucumber juice within a day or two.

How do I store leftover ginger simple syrup?

You’ll want to keep the syrup in a sterile, airtight container in the refrigerator. With proper storage, it should last two to three weeks.

Amanda’s Top Tips

Chill your glass: Simply place your martini glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can fill the glass with cold water and ice as you make the drink and then dump the ice water after shaking.

Roll your lemon: Firmly rolling a lemon on the countertop will help produce more juice.

Cool the ginger syrup completely: Otherwise, it will melt too much of the ice. We want our drink as refreshing as possible, so it’s best to make the syrup far enough ahead of time that it has a chance to chill in the refrigerator.

Perfect Pairing

To play up the cucumber, you'll love my lamb tacos with a Mediterranean-inspired cucumber pico de gallo. Beyond the obvious cucumber connection, the spicy ginger in the drink and the jalapeño heat in the pico de gallo are a natural match.

For a garden party vibe, smoked salmon and cream cheese crostini is a lovely pairing. The light cucumber and touch of citrus cut through the richness of the salmon and cheese, brightening up every bite. Of course, you can't go wrong with classic cucumber tea sandwiches either.

Or take it in a completely different direction with Asian-inspired bites that let the ginger shine. Think gyoza with a ginger dipping sauce, edamame with flaky sea salt, and delicate shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce.

No matter what's on the menu, this ginger-cucumber martini has a way of stealing the show.

Cheers!

Two ginger-cucumber martinis with a vase of flowers behind them and a purple cloth on the right.

Sip on Other Cucumber Drinks

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