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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher

drinks· Summertime Favorites
June 13, 2019

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Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher – Cucumber, pineapple, and mint are muddled together and added to homemade cucumber syrup, fresh lime juice, gin, ice, and topped with sparkling water. 

Glass of Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher with a chunk of pineapple

Gin is a liquor that I rarely ever drink. I had it once back in college and I can’t even remember what it tasted like. I remember liking it but I couldn’t tell you why.

Lately, I’ve noticed that gin is making a comeback. I see it on drink menus more frequently so it’s piqued my interest – what am I missing with these gin cocktails? So I just had to try one.

The one I finally tried was the inspiration for this drink. It was so floral and light and refreshing and I loved how it paired with cucumber and mint. The pineapple I added for some summer flair.

The result: my Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher!

Two tall glasses of Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher with pineapple garnish Top view of two glasses of Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher

How is this drink made

This is a drink recipe for a la carte drinks – no pitchers for this one. Since it’s made with muddled fruit, it’s a little difficult to make a pitcher of these at a time. Plus, the sparkling water topper will get a little flat if it’s left to sit in a pitcher for too long.

Let’s breakdown how we make this recipe.

Homemade Cucumber Syrup

I thought about purchasing cucumber syrup for this cocktail instead of making my own. But then I snapped back to reality and realized that it’s SO easy to make it. Plus, it will taste much better homemade.

To make cucumber syrup, you take equal parts sugar and syrup and heat it up with chunks of English cucumber. Once the sugar is syrup (and not a minute more!), remove the syrup from heat and blend it in a blender. Chill the blender pitcher with the cucumber syrup for 1 hour. After it’s steeped for an hour, strain out all the pulp with a mesh strainer.

I added my syrup to this cute container for easy pouring.

Glass flask of cucumber syrup

Assembling this gin refresher

Once the syrup is ready, I muddle the fruit with a little syrup and mint. Then I add gin and lime juice and mix together. Finally, add ice to a couple glasses, split the mix between the glasses, and top with sparkling water.

Tips & Tricks

Here are a couple tips to help you make this killer gin cocktail:

  1. Fresh ingredients are always important, but especially in drink recipes. Because you’re not cooking the ingredients, you can really taste the difference in fresh vs not fresh ingredients. So make sure you get real limes, not lime juice concentrate and fresh pineapple, not the canned stuff!
  2. English cucumber is different than traditional cucumber. The flesh is less watery, the seeds are teeny, and the skin is less waxy. It’s much better to use in drink recipes because you don’t have to worry about removing the seeds or skin when making the cucumber syrup.
Print Recipe

Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher

Cucumber, pineapple, and mint are muddled together and added to homemade cucumber syrup, fresh lime juice, gin, ice, and topped with sparkling water. 
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Steeping time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 2 drinks

Ingredients

  • 1 English cucumber
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1/2 lime
  • 6 mint leaves
  • 2 ounces gin
  • sparkling water

Instructions

  • Cut cucumber in half. Grab one half of cucumber and cut into chunks. Add chunks to a medium sauce pan and add sugar and water. Place over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. 
  • Add cucumber to blender and blend until pureed. Place in fridge to steep for 1 hour. 
  • When syrup is steeped, strain out cucumber pulp so that all that remains is the cucumber syrup. Add 3 1/2 tablespoons of syrup to a pint glass along with pineapple chunks, mint, and a couple slices of peeled cucumber. Muddle together until fruit is broken down. Add juice from 1/2 lime and gin and stir together. 
  • Fill two highball glasses with ice about 3/4 of the way. Split muddled fruit between the glasses. Fill with sparkling water and garnish with extra cucumber and/or pineapple. 

Pin for later:

Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher photo collage

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11 Comments

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Comments

  1. Marta says

    October 27, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    It’s still a bit warm here in Texas, so, I’ll give this a try this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    June 14, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    This looks so good. It probably so light and refreshing.

    Reply
  3. Noelle says

    June 14, 2019 at 2:34 am

    Perfect summer cocktail, I love the addition of the pineapple!

    Reply
  4. Colleen says

    June 13, 2019 at 11:45 pm

    This cocktail sounds so refreshing and delicious! I never would have though of cucumber simple syrup. What a great idea. Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  5. Beth Pierce says

    June 13, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    Love a cocktail with a kick! I am looking forward to enjoying this all season long!

    Reply
  6. Anita says

    June 13, 2019 at 11:02 pm

    Cucumber and pineapple. This drink sounds really tropical, and is perfect for summer days.

    Reply
  7. Krissy Allori says

    June 13, 2019 at 10:44 pm

    The combination of cucumber and pineapple in this drink makes it perfect for the heat wave we’re having!

    Reply
  8. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says

    June 13, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    It really sounds refreshing and perfect for summer 🙂

    Reply
  9. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says

    June 13, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    It really sounds refreshing and perfect for summer

    Reply
  10. Lori says

    June 13, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    This drink is lovely and I love the taste of pineapple and lime in anything, especially during the warm summer months. Plus, I like the addition of the cuke here….so refreshing!

    Reply
  11. Tami says

    June 13, 2019 at 2:15 pm

    I’ve never experienced the taste of cucumber and pineapple together. It sounds so refreshing.

    Reply

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