It’s currently 102 degrees in Des Moines, IA.. my hometown. Now normally I like to rub it in everyone’s faces that I now live in Portland where the weather is PERFECT (it doesn’t rain as much as everyone tries to make you believe), but I’m actually feeling pretty bad for my friends and family back home. If you don’t live in the Midwest of the United States then what you may not know is that 102 can feel like 112 with the humidity that they get there. I wasn’t going to make any more summer cocktails, but made an exception given the Midwest heat wave currently going on. I had a cocktail similar to this one the other day when out with friends and it was so crisp and refreshing! I know that if I still lived in Iowa and was roasting in that heat I would crave 1 or 2 or 5 of these! They’re quick to make and will immediately cool you down!
…..
(makes one drink)
Ingredients:
Half of a large cucumber, grated
Juice from 1 lime
½ tsp freshly grated ginger
3oz London dry gin
Ginger ale
Sparkling water (optional)
Place grated cucumber in a fine mesh sieve and set over a cocktail shaker. Press down to squeeze out liquid and then discard solids.
You should have about 1-2oz of cucumber juice. Add juice from 1 lime, freshly grated ginger, and gin. Shake well and pour over ice. Top with ginger ale and a bit of sparkling water and serve right away!
Enjoy responsibly!
