Cucumber Ribbons, Wheels And Ice Cubes: 5 Creative Uses In Drinks
A juicy, crunchy ingredient that brings a savoury touch into drinks, the cucumber is often used in mixology to build distinctly umami flavour notes in beverages. Be it a cucumber-infused gin and tonic or a cucumber and rosemary vodka fizz, this ingredient often features on mixology rosters because of its bright hue and crispy texture.
And what’s more, cucumbers are incorporated into cocktails and mocktails in lots of creative ways so their flavours seep slowly and steadily into a blend. From ice cubes and ribbons to cucumber wheel garnishes, there are a number of ways to creatively introduce this mixology staple into drink recipes.
In summer, cucumbers are widely used as a mixer for giving a juicy touch to different beverages. Here are some of the ways in which they can be used in drinks prepared this season for a house party or get together:
Cucumber Ribbon Garnish
A cucumber ribbon is nothing but a thin sliver of cucumber that can be used to top off a cocktail, like a flavoured gin fizz. Cut a thin sliver of a whole cucumber and wrap it around a cocktail twist, twirling as it goes along to make an elegant garnish. The ribbon can also be inserted into a highball glass so it is wrapped around the interior while serving a classic gin and tonic made out of a quality Tanqueray No. Ten Gin. For a more sustainable option, cucumber peels can also be turned into ribbon garnishes adorning cocktail glasses.
Cucumber Ice Cubes
Another interesting way to incorporate cucumbers into drinks, cucumber ice cubes have become mixology favourites over the last few years. These ice cubes can be prepared by slicing cucumbers and putting them in ice cube trays before layering with water. Once frozen, the ice cubes acquire a light green hue which reflects the evening light when added as a garnish atop cocktail hour drinks like a cucumber basil vodka smash made using Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka. Add herbs like rosemary, basil or thyme to the ice trays while freezing cucumbers for an herbal touch.
Cucumber Water
Another simple but creative way of infusing drinks with cucumber is in the form of cucumber water. Slice cucumbers and add them to cold water. Drain the mix once the cucumbers release all their flavours and use this water for mixing mocktails like a cucumber and lime cooler. Cucumber water can also be used as a welcome beverage in itself at a house party with the addition of lemon wedges and mint to the water tumbler.
Cucumber Wheels
A more artistic way of incorporating cucumber into mixology is in the form of wheels. What makes them look graceful is rolling long slivers of cucumber into cylindrical rolls that can rest atop cocktail and mocktail concoctions. These garnishing elements not only build on the taste of a drink but also bring a textural crunch into a savoury, herbaceous drink, lending it more complexity. Dehydrated cucumber wheels can also be used in mixology as a garnish for cocktails containing fresh herbs and juices.
Muddled Cucumber
For a mixologist, one of the more straightforward ways to introduce the flavour of different ingredients into cocktails is by muddling them in a cocktail shaker. Muddling is a technique that can be applied to cucumbers too, especially for making drinks like the Cucumber Collins or a cucumber mojito. Thin cucumber slices can be muddled with mint and lime to release their flavours. With this, small cucumber chunks remain in the drink that simultaneously build its taste and act as aesthetic garnishes.
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