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Cucumber Basil Booster

Anna Beck

Tomorrow is Saint Patrick's Day - so you can bet it's going to be all about anything and everything GREEN! 

Well, how about this spring mocktail? I say YES. I'll be enjoying one after work tomorrow night I can already see it now. 

To be honest, I've never been a big fan of alcohol, for real. I just don't love the taste (not to mention the day-after feeling) enough to drink more than that celebratory champagne or date-night cocktail.   

But my husband, you see, he LOVES making cocktails. When we first started dating he was slinging drinks in New York City and developing his own collection of bar books. He loves the intimateness of making a cocktail for someone. Combining the flavors; infusing different spirits. To him, it's an art. Sometimes I think he loves making the drinks more than actually drinking them. 

So you can bet he can sling a pretty darn good mocktail for me. Especially now when even date night cocktails are out of the question for the next few months. 

I've been having him make this sparkling water mash-up with cucumber and fresh basil. I'll use sparkling water instead of just plain water to jazz it up a bit. It's so refreshing that I'll probably be sipping it well into summer! 

Cucumber Basil Booster

  • 4 cucumber slices (plus about 3-4 more slices for garnish)

  • 4 basil leaves (depending on how strong you want it - plus a few extra for garnish)

  • 2 slices of fresh lime (plus 1 slice or wedge for garnish)

  • Juice from the remaining fresh lime, or about 1/2 - 1 oz. juice.

  • Sparking San Pellegrino water (or other sparkling water) - enough to fill a tall highball glass

  • 1/2 oz simple syrup or honey (optional)

  • ice cubes

Directions: 

  1. Add the cucumber, basil and lime slices to a cocktail shaker and muddle the ingredients at the bottom of the shaker until thoroughly crushed.

  2. Add the sparkling water and lime juice to the shaker and STIR the ingredients. (NOTE: if you are using plain spring water you can shake it!)

  3. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and strain the drink into the glass.

  4. Garnish with remaining cucumber, lime and basil leaves and enjoy!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!