This refreshing and icy cold cucumber and mint gin martini is perfect for a hot and humid summer’s day.
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.
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 drink 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.
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
- To Serve
- slices Lemon or cucumber spring of mint
- Sparkling water or tonic water
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Place the cucumber, gin, lemon juice & mint into a blender and whizz until smooth.
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Add the sugar if needed to taste, and whizz again.
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Serve immediately in martini glasses and garnish with the lemon or cucumber slices and a spring of mint.
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Top up with a little sparkling or tonic water if desired.
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Enjoy elegantly!
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.
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 ;)
It was so delicious! Very refreshing
I love a Martini and this looks and sounds just incredible and I am sure so refreshing too!
it was delicious! As I made it at 10.30 I very sensibly poured it into a jam jar and into the freezer.
The glasses are so beautiful. The drink is screaming drink me in them.
I love elegant glasses for my drinks. Presentation does make stuff better.
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!!!!
Thank you Ceri! I do love a good martini.
OMG this looks amazing, I so need to make and try this
It was so good Kara, and as it has cucumber it is good for you!
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
The glasses are also perfect for serving food in!
I’ve been looking for such martini glasses for a while now! Will check House of Fraser!
I do adore an elegant martini glass.
The cocktails look great and so vibrant. I love the glasses – they’re sophisticated and elegant.
I love the glasses, I will be serving all sorts, as well as cocktails in them.
That cocktail looks so refreshing! Perfect for summer!
It was wonderful.
These look delicious. I am not a GIN fan, but would happily sub in vodka!! Love your pictures.
I am sure it would be equally good with vodka.
The glasses look great! But that recipe is screaming summer all year long!
We’ll be having it again for certain!
Goodness me that looks delish and I do actually really like those glasses, the shape is perfect for a tasty martini ;)
I love proper martini glasses.
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. :)
Super refreshing!
You have presented the martini beautifully and I love the addition of cucumber and mint that sounds heavenly!
thank you Ana,
those beautiful glasses help!
I love martinis but I’ve never tried this combination of flavours. Will have to try x
it was super refreshing, a alcoholic salad almost!
This looks so refreshing and perfect for a summers day. Lets hope the weather stays good! x
By and large the weather has been appalling in the South. Just miserable.
This sounds so lovely for summer. It looks gorgeous too. I might have to get some proper martini glasses
the martini glass is the thing that makes it special.