Hump Day Happy Hour: Ginger & Cucumber Sake Cooler
Part 3 of my July cocktail series featuring thirst-quenching libations every Wednesday this month. Glug, glug, glug, glug…
When you go to a spa, they offer you cucumber infused water to refresh you. But when you go to chez nous on a hot summer day, we offer you cucumber perfumed sake instead. So who wants to join us for a round of these Asian-inspired cocktails?
Sure, it’s a little bit more labor intensive to make than last week’s pastis cocktail but this will undoubtedly earn you some major brownie points with your friends. For an impromptu cocktail hour, you can muddle the cucumber, ginger and mint leaves altogether. Or you can plan ahead and infuse the sake a few hours in advance. I find the latter a bit more satisfying because it gives off a prominent cucumber flavor.
But when life demands a cocktail, here’s what to do in a pinch:
Ingredients:
| 1/2 | cup diced cucumber |
| 2 | inch piece of peeled ginger, chopped in small pieces |
| 6 | mint leaves |
| 3 | ounces sake (I use Trader Joe’s Junmai Ginjo Sake) |
| 1 | ounce vodka |
| 1/2 | cup club soda |
| 1-2 | Tbsp of powdered sugar (depending on your preference) |
| cucumber for garnish (I used a zester to make cucumber strands to mix in the cocktail and a mandolin for garnish) |
- In a large cocktail shaker, muddle ginger and cucumber together. Strain the extracted juices into a small container and discard the rest.
- Add the juices to the shaker again along with the mint leaves. Muddle together. Add sake, vodka and powdered sugar. Shake vigorously.
- Pour over two tall glasses filled with crushed ice and top with club soda. Stir in cucumber strands and garnish with a cucumber on top.
And if you have time to infuse your sake:
Ingredients:
| 1/2 | cup diced cucumber |
| 2 | inch piece of peeled ginger, chopped in small pieces |
| 6 | mint leaves |
| 3 | ounces sake (I use Trader Joe’s Junmai Ginjo Sake) |
| 1 | ounce vodka |
| 1/2 | cup club soda |
| 1-2 | Tbsp of powdered sugar (depending on your preference) |
| cucumber for garnish (I used a zester to make cucumber strands to mix in the cocktail and a mandolin for garnish) |
- Add the diced cucumber to your bottle of sake. Infuse for 2-3 hours.
- In a large cocktail shaker, muddle the ginger. Strain the juice and discard the rest. Add the juice back into the shaker and muddle with the mint leaves.
- Add cucumber infused sake, vodka and powdered sugar. Shake vigorously. Pour over two tall glasses filled with crushed ice and top with club soda. Stir in cucumber strands and garnish with a cucumber on top.
July 21st, 2010 at 11:06
Wow, those look great! And refreshing. I made watermelon coolers last night, virgin ones though. I’ll have to try yours! Thanks!
July 21st, 2010 at 12:41
Oh for Pete’s Sake (get it? Sake as in the drink and Sake as in “Pete’s Sake”… nuk nuk nuk) how can a dude hold this and look even a bit manly esp when drinking it in a spa?
Maybe if I drink it while watching UFC… hmmmm
July 21st, 2010 at 15:39
okay this drink looks SO refreshing — I love adding cucumber to not only cocktails but my water too hahaha. This sounds perfect for the summer, I am really diggin your cocktail series — have you ever thought about being a professional bartender???
I also love the glasses and your garnishes — fabulous darling!
July 21st, 2010 at 16:41
Looks refreshing… especially in the summer humidity!
July 21st, 2010 at 22:48
This is true summer treat.. can’t be more refreshing….
July 22nd, 2010 at 08:27
i think the mint and ginger must taste great together, and i love your cucumber garnish!
July 23rd, 2010 at 14:04
wow, these would really come to the rescue with the steamy weather we’ve been having
July 25th, 2010 at 04:12
J’EN VEUX !!!!!!!!!
Cela est un régal pour les yeux et les bulles en 3D me donnent soif…
Absolument magnifique ! Bravo !
July 31st, 2010 at 00:53
Ok I’m trading in my sangria for this little cocktail.
Mimi
August 11th, 2010 at 07:54
@Trish: I’ll have to make some watermelon coolers soon. I made watermelon juice and froze them into ice cubes. I think it’s time I tap into the reserves!
August 11th, 2010 at 07:55
@RodKat: Oh Ro-Ro. You need not look manly when you’re sipping one of these next to your beautiful girlfriend
August 11th, 2010 at 07:56
@Joy: A professional career as a bartender? How about a professional consumer of libations instead? I think I like that way better
August 11th, 2010 at 07:57
@Vicky: Refreshing drink indeed! I just love the fresh taste of cucumber in it.
August 11th, 2010 at 07:58
@RV: It’s a great cocktail to beat the heat but I think I’ll try it out during the cold season as well
August 11th, 2010 at 08:00
@Grace: I used to HATE ginger but with age comes maturity and in my case, maturity in my palate! I love the subtle spiciness it gives this minty cucumbery drink!
August 11th, 2010 at 08:02
@justcooknyc: It has been a steamy summer here in our concrete jungle! Luckily it’s beginning to cool down a bit. Thank goodness for ice cold cocktails!
August 11th, 2010 at 08:13
@”One Sister”: Merci bien
Quand nous arriverons à Bayonne, c’est serra l’heure de l’apéro! À bientôt…
August 11th, 2010 at 08:14
@Mimi: By now, I’m sure you’ve had several rounds of each cocktail in this series! Now you’re all caught up