• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cucumber Pineapple Gin Refresher

drinks· Summertime Favorites
June 13, 2019

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. 

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!

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.

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:

More drink recipes you’ll love:

Palomas

Blackberry Lemon Vodka Punch

Blackberry Lemon Vodka Punch - A refreshing spiked punch made with fresh lemon juice, muddled blackberries, and a homemade blackberry & thyme infused vodka. The perfect drink to enjoy any time of year!

Pomegranate Rosemary Moscow Mule

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Yummly (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

10 Comments

« Strawberry & Goat Cheese Chicken
Mini Peanut Butter Explosion Cheesecakes »

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    June 14, 2019 at 3:17 pm

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

    Reply
  2. Noelle says

    June 14, 2019 at 2:34 am

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

    Reply
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Anita says

    June 13, 2019 at 11:02 pm

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

    Reply
  6. 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
  7. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says

    June 13, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    It really sounds refreshing and perfect for summer 🙂

    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. 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
  10. 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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

MY COOKBOOK IS NOW ON SALE!

holiday favorites

Chocolate Cream Pie

Mint Brownie Truffles - Transform your pan of brownies into these amazing mint brownie truffles! Simply crumble cooked brownies, add melted mint chocolate, roll into balls, and then coat in melted chocolate. That's all there is to it! And the colors are perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Mint Brownie Truffles

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Raspberry Hot Chocolate - Creamy homemade hot chocolate made with a fruity addition - fresh raspberries!

Raspberry Hot Chocolate

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini - Slices of crusty, toasted baguette are rubbed with garlic, topped with whipped goat cheese and sliced peaches, and finished with basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Perfectly paired with Notable Wines Fruity & Crisp Chardonnay.

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini (+wine pairing)

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

Popular Recipes

Pumpkin Banana Bread - Ultra-moist banana bread gets even better with the addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

Kentucky Derby Cookie Bars - You haven't had derby pie like this - a chocolate chip cookie crust is topped with a Derby Pie filling made with pecans, chocolate chips, and a hint of bourbon. Oh and don't forget to top them with gooey homemade bourbon caramel sauce!

Kentucky Derby Cookie Bars

S'mores Cookie Cake -Your favorite campfire snack, now in cookie cake form! The crust is made from brown sugar cookie and graham crackers and filled with tons of chocolate and marshmallow. This dessert is sure to impress kids and adults alike!

S’mores Cookie Cake

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese Dip - The perfect snack for your party and tailgate needs. You won't be able to resist these soft & chewy pretzel bites and creamy beer cheese dip.

Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese Dip

 

Instagram post 2195468515392898966_3525700476 It's GIVEAWAY time! 
To celebrate the upcoming launch of my new book, Pastry for Beginners, I'm giving away an advanced copy before it's available to the public, along with a few of my must-have baking tools: measuring cups & spoons, pastry brushes, and a rolling pin. 
To enter for your chance to win, tag a friend in the comments who you love to bake with or for. Giveaway ends 11:59 EST on December 14th . Winner will be chosen at random on December 15th.

If you haven't pre-ordered your copy, you can learn more and get one via the link in my profile. (Entrants must be 18 years or older, US only. No purchase necessary. Est. retail value: $50. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. You understand that you are providing your information to the owner of this Instagram page and not to Instagram.) #foodphotography #foodpics #marthafood #food #instafood #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats #pastry #cookbook #giveaway #contest #raffle #baking
Instagram post 2193077430134909577_3525700476 With all the sweets I'll be baking up this month, I needed a little break so I'm making these savory pastry muffins, which are made easy with the use of frozen puff pastry.

To find this recipe, search for  cheese pastry muffins on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#foodphotography #foodpics #marthafood #food #instafood #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats #breakfast #holidaybreakfast #puffpastry #sausageandegg #eggmuffins #easybreakfast #breakfastrecipe #muffintin #holidays #breakfastmuffins
Instagram post 2191599271455212539_3525700476 Gingerbread Biscotti is the perfect accompaniment to your coffee or hot chocolate! Baked then dipped in almond bark, they make great food gifts, too!

To find this recipe, search for gingerbread biscotti on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#foodphotography #foodpics #marthafood #food #instafood #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats #biscotti #holidaybaking #baking #bakefromscratch #gingerbreadbiscotti #gingerbread #gingerbreadrecipes #almondbark #holidaydesserts
Instagram post 2190934927147495599_3525700476 Winter is here but that doesn't mean all your drinks need to be warm. This Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz is refreshing yet still gives off all the festive vibes.

To find this recipe, search for cranberry orange aperol spritz on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#foodphotography #foodpics #marthafood #food #instafood #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats #cocktails #holidaydrinks #holidaycocktails #holidayentertaining #aperolspritz #cranberrycocktail #aperolspritz🍹 #prosecco #happyhour #christmascocktails
Instagram post 2188161014272666274_3525700476 Need a great breakfast that will make everyone happy? Then this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole is for you.

To find this recipe, search for everything bagel breakfast casserole on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#foodphotography #foodpics #marthafood #food #instafood #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats #breakfast #breakfastcasserole #everythingbagel #gruyerecheese  #gruyere #breakfastideas #breakfasttime #casserolerecipe #brunchfood #brunchideas

Copyright © 2019 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.