My favorite drinks tend to be simple, clean, and served with lemon. Spirit + soda + lemon (rum, tequila, vodka) is a recipe for success in my book, and it ensures you won’t drink too much or regret it at 3am by staring at the ceiling. At a friend’s 40th birthday, everyone asked the bartender to make something that tasted like “spa water” and we couldn’t get enough of it. It was made with vodka which tends to be a universal hit and it was refreshing, potent, and didn’t fill us with regret in the middle of the night. I immediately thought of the drink when I wanted to serve something green to go with my theme for this week’s book club, St. Patrick’s Day Lite. I loved the way these tasted, looked (you can serve them “up”), and that I could batch serve them. I highly recommend for your next dinner party!
SPA WATER (Makes 4-6 Cocktails)
INGREDIENTS
5 Persian Cucumbers
2 Cups/16 oz. Good Vodka (like Ketel One)
Juice of 4 Lemons (roughly 1/2 Cup Juice)
1 Shot of Simple Syrup (roughly 2 oz)
INSTRUCTIONS
Chop the cucumbers into large pieces and place in a bowl or plastic bag. If using a bowl, mash well with a pastry cutter so the cucumbers are thoroughly broken and juice begins to pool at the bottom of the bowl. If using a bag, mash with a mallet or rolling pin until you achieve the same result.
Add the cucumbers to the vodka in a large enough container and let sit at room temperature for at least 5 hours.
Pour infused vodka through a fine mesh strainer.
If making batch cocktails, combine all the ingredients, stir and refrigerate or freeze until serving.
If making fresh cocktails, add 2 shots (4 oz) of infused vodka, 1/4 shot (0.5 oz) simple syrup, and about 2 oz lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a coupe. Add cucumber slices as a garnish and enjoy!
