Name: Big-Batch Cucumber Collins Cocktails
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Ingredients: 2 English cucumbers , divided; 16 ounces (2 cups) gin; 8 ounces (1 cup) elderflower liqueur; 8 ounces (1 cup) water; 6 ounces (3/4 cup) fresh lemon juice (4 lemons); crushed ice; 32 ounces (4 cups) lemon-flavored sparkling water , chilled; 8 Lemon twists

Why This Recipe Works

A cucumber collins is a refreshing take on the citrusy carbonated cocktail. This version was inspired by the cucumber collins in Toni Tipton-Martin's 2023 book, Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice. To make a large batch, we combined sliced cucumbers, gin, floral elderflower liqueur, water, and lemon juice and refrigerated the mixture for at least 2 hours to allow the flavor of the cucumbers to infuse the other ingredients. The small amount of water that we added balanced the cocktail in the same way that ice would dilute a shaken cocktail in the shaker. Straining the infusion and garnishing the individual cocktails with a lemon twist and a thin, twirling slice of cucumber drove home the light nature of this cocktail. Read the full story.

Before You Begin

To spiral the cucumber strip in the glass, wind it loosely around your pointer and index fingers, place it in the glass, wiggle your fingers to release it, and gently press it against the sides of the glass. Any tall, narrow glasses will work here.

Instructions

Thinly slice 1 cucumber crosswise into rounds and transfer to pitcher or large container. Add gin, elderflower liqueur, water, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until mixture is well chilled and cucumber aromas have infused gin mixture, at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.

Using vegetable peeler, slice remaining cucumber lengthwise into 8 long strips. For each cocktail, add 1 cucumber strip to collins glass and fill halfway with ice. Strain 4 ounces (½ cup) chilled gin mixture into glass, then top with 4 ounces (½ cup) sparkling water. Add additional ice as needed and garnish with lemon twist. Serve.