This refreshing and icy cold Cucumber & Mint Gin Martini is perfect for a hot and humid summer’s day. Low calorie gin makes this cocktail keto friendly and of course, gluten free.
Cucumber & Mint Gin Martini
I do love a martini from a proper martini glass – it is the epitome of elegance and sophistication (provided that you only have one). I’ve spent many a happy hour with friends catching up over an excellent martini.
For me the perfect martini needs to be freezing cold, made with a good dry – not too scented – London gin, and preferably be very strong. Keep the gin in the freezer please – none of this shaking over ice nonsense.
How Do I make a Cucumber & Mint Gin Martini?
To make a lighter, and more refreshing summertime martini I’ve lightened the recipe up by blending gin from the freezer with some frozen cucumber, a sprig of mint and a squeeze of lemon. I have a power blender that made quick work of the chunks of frozen cucumber, but you can also make this with a chilled cucumber and gin from the freezer.
For a lighter and more delicately flavoured Cucumber & Mint Gin Martini you can partially, or completely, peel the cucumber before lobbing it into the blender, I prefer the bitter notes from the skin so left it whole.
My beautiful new martini glasses are from the House of Fraser glassware range, who have a selection of cocktail glasses. These were £35 (currently on offer at £17.50) and are elegantly thin, stand nearly 18cm tall, and hold a generous 280ml which makes them suitable for using to serve food as well as drinks.
Happily they are dishwasher proof which is useful if you serve a creamy pudding in them, but they are delicate so hand-washing is to be recommended. And doesn’t the Cucumber & Mint Gin Martini look amazing in it!?!
Five facts about gin
Gin was brought to the UK by soldiers returning from Holland and the Thirty Years war in the seventeenth century. Gin’s ancestor is the Dutch spirit genever which is also flavoured with juniper, but much sweeter than gin.
Old Tom is the link between genever and gin. After almost dying out, it’s making a return.
Gin production in England grew sharply after William of Orange cut duty at the end of the seventeenth century. But quality improved and quantity declined in the mid eighteenth century thanks to legislation. London distillers developed a dryer version; the original London dry gin.
London dry gin has to be predominantly flavoured with juniper, have a very low concentration of sugar (if any), with the flavours imparted by botanicals during distillation.
Plymouth gin differs from London in that it’s slightly sweeter, and has more focus on earthy flavours. It’s a favourite of the Navy, and is available in 57% Navy Strength.
- 1 cucumber - cut into chunks and frozen or peeled
- 250 ml dry London gin - from the freezer
- Juice half a lemon
- 2 sprigs of mint
- 2 tsp sugar - optional
- slices Lemon or cucumber
- Sparkling water or tonic water
- Sprigs of mint
-
Place the cucumber, gin, lemon juice & mint into a blender and whizz until smooth.
-
Add the sugar if needed to taste, and whizz again.
-
Serve immediately in martini glasses and garnish with the lemon or cucumber slices and a spring of mint.
-
Top up with a little sparkling or tonic water if desired.
-
Enjoy elegantly!
- This recipe is keto friendly as long as it fits into your macros for the day.
- This recipe is 5 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
GET EASY, TASTY RECIPES FOR FREE WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE!
Cucumber & Mint Martini recipe commissioned by House of Fraser who also sent me the set of glasses. All opinions our own.
Fuss Free Flavours encourages you to drink mindfully. For advice on responsible drinking please visit Drinkaware.
Dean of Little Steps
Not a big fan of martinis, but this looks inviting! Would love to try this. I don’t even remember the last time I had a taste! Probably before I was married ;)
Helen
It was so delicious! Very refreshing
Rachel
I love a Martini and this looks and sounds just incredible and I am sure so refreshing too!
Helen
it was delicious! As I made it at 10.30 I very sensibly poured it into a jam jar and into the freezer.
Fashion and Style Police
The glasses are so beautiful. The drink is screaming drink me in them.
Helen
I love elegant glasses for my drinks. Presentation does make stuff better.
Ceri Jones
Love the sound of this. Sometimes tonic water doesn’t go down too well in my tummy, so the idea of having fresh cucumber sounds bliss! Beautiful images too – the shine on those olives!!!!
Helen
Thank you Ceri! I do love a good martini.
Kara Guppy
OMG this looks amazing, I so need to make and try this
Helen
It was so good Kara, and as it has cucumber it is good for you!
Lindsay At Newcastle Family Life
I have never tried a cucumber & mint martini before, I am not sure it is something I would ever try to be honest as I am not a big drinker but it does sound refreshing. The photos are amazing, love the glasses x
Helen
The glasses are also perfect for serving food in!
Diana
I’ve been looking for such martini glasses for a while now! Will check House of Fraser!
Helen
I do adore an elegant martini glass.
kate @veggie desserts
The cocktails look great and so vibrant. I love the glasses – they’re sophisticated and elegant.
Helen
I love the glasses, I will be serving all sorts, as well as cocktails in them.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
That cocktail looks so refreshing! Perfect for summer!
Helen
It was wonderful.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
These look delicious. I am not a GIN fan, but would happily sub in vodka!! Love your pictures.
Helen
I am sure it would be equally good with vodka.
Meeta
The glasses look great! But that recipe is screaming summer all year long!
Helen
We’ll be having it again for certain!
Alina
Goodness me that looks delish and I do actually really like those glasses, the shape is perfect for a tasty martini ;)
Helen
I love proper martini glasses.
Grant R
I bet that’s as refreshing as hell on a hot summer’s day. I’m becoming a fan of cocktails AND gin so I’ll be giving this a whizz soon. :)
Helen
Super refreshing!
Ana De- Jesus
You have presented the martini beautifully and I love the addition of cucumber and mint that sounds heavenly!
Helen
thank you Ana,
those beautiful glasses help!
Kerry Norris
I love martinis but I’ve never tried this combination of flavours. Will have to try x
Helen
it was super refreshing, a alcoholic salad almost!
Bethanie Dennis
This looks so refreshing and perfect for a summers day. Lets hope the weather stays good! x
Helen
By and large the weather has been appalling in the South. Just miserable.
Zena's Suitcase
This sounds so lovely for summer. It looks gorgeous too. I might have to get some proper martini glasses
Helen
the martini glass is the thing that makes it special.
Alice
I do love a proper Martini glass, it makes the experience of the drink that bit more authentic.
Jemina Frank
I love the idea of sipping on cucumber mint Martini, sitting in the garden, with good company. Such a lovely part of summer days.
Glen
I actually couldn’t have told you the difference between London and Plymouth gin, that’s really interesting. I do enjoy a good gin cocktail.
Fee
This cocktail sounds heavenly for a hot summer day. Ice cold and refreshing. Perfect.
Kelly Watson
I do love gin cocktails, and always keep my gin in the freezer. Always better when it is chilled well. Lovely recipe, and the glasses are just beautiful.