Our Limelight Ingredient is the Cucumber

Cucumber salad has been having quite the moment on social media, with videos on how to make the simple, refreshing delicacy racking up billions of views, and Google searches for ‘viral cucumber salad’ increasing by 300%.

It only makes sense that cucumber cocktails are the next big thing, and of course, bars, restaurants, and spirits brands are in on the trend.

Check out some recipes below!

Sake

Summer Cooler

by iichiko Shochu

Ingredients

• 2 oz. iichiko Saiten
• ¾ oz. Matcha Syrup
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Cucumber Juice
• ¼ oz. Yuzu Juice

Preparation

1. Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake, then strain into rocks glass with ice.
3. Garnish with cucumber slices.

Brandy, Liqueur

Monet’s Impression

by Bar Bastion - 610 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Calvados
• ½ Bar spoon Matcha Powder
• ¼ oz. Ginger Syrup
• ½ oz. Cucumber Juice
• ½ oz. Centum Herbis
• ¾ oz. Lime Juice

Preparation

1. Combine everything in shaker, give it a hard shake.
2. Strain into the collins slim highball glass.
3. Garnish with yellow flower and citrus sugar on the rim.

Gin, Liqueur

Royal Pimm’s Cup

by Beverage Director Marshall Minaya - Valerie

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Pimm’s No. 1
• 1 oz. Mint washed Hendrick’s Gin
• 1 oz. Lemon Juice
• ½ oz. Ginger Simple (1:1 repurposed)
• Fever Tree Cucumber Tonic, to top

Preparation

1. Shake all ingredients.
2. Strain into collins glass and top with tonic.
3. Garnish with cucumber slice & mint bouquet.

Gin, Vodka

Limelight Fizz

by Zach Newsom, Food & Beverage Manager at Limelight Aspen

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Belvedere Vodka or Ford’s Gin
• ¾ oz. Cucumber Basil Syrup
• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
• 2 dashes Celery Bitters
• 3 oz. Soda Water

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients into a mixing tin and shake vigorously with ice.
2. Strain into highball glass filled with ice, top with soda water.
3. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

Additional Notes

Available at the Limelight Lounges

Fortified Wine, Gin, Liqueur, Sherry, Vodka

Santo Pepino

by elNico Bar Team

Ingredients

• ¼ oz. Dill-infused Lillet Blanc
• ½ oz. Vanilla Syrup
• ½ oz. Lacto Fermented Cucumber Syrup (35 Brix)
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• ¾ oz. Cucumber Juice
• ¾ oz. Epazote Infused Boatyard Gin
• 1 oz. Lustau Fino Sherry

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients, whip shake and strain into a hurricane glass with shingled cucumber garnish and crushed ice.

Additional Notes

Available at elNico

Tequila

Strawberry Cucumber Mana Refresher

by Teremana Tequila

Ingredients

• 1 cup Teremana Blanco
• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup Strawberry, peeled and sliced
• ¼ cup Lime Juice
• ½ cup Sugar

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients, blend and strain into a rocks glass.
2. Garnish with strawberry and cucumber.

Gin, Liqueur, Sake

Garden Daisy

by Radovan Jankovic - Beverage Director at Mercy Me at Yours Truly, DC

Ingredients

• ½ oz. Lime
• ½ oz. Cucumber Juice
• ½ oz. Honeydew Cordial (2:1 ratio of honeydew juice to sugar)
• ¼ oz. Chareau Aloe Liqueur
• 1 ½ oz. Kyoya Yuzu Gin
• 1 ½ oz. Sparkling Sake Kizakura Piano

Preparation

1. Fill a shaker with ice and combine the first five ingredients.
2. Shake gently to combine and chill.
3. Pour Sparkling Sake into a chilled Coupe glass.
4. Strain the mixture into the prepared Coupe glass.
5. Garnish with a delicate cucumber ribbon.

Additional Notes

Available at Mercy Me at Yours Truly, DC