Cucumber and Tonic

An evolution of soda water with bitters, think of this as a virgin gin and tonic. Vegetal cucumber and herby mint replace the botanicals in the gin. If tonic water is too bitter for you, swap in soda water instead.

Ingredients

• ½cucumber, preferably hothouse
• 4thin slices of lime
• 2sprigs mint
• Tonic or soda water, to taste
• Peychaud’s bitters, to taste

Preparation

1. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the cucumber lengthwise until you have long, wide ribbons.
2. Place a few slices of lime and mint leaves in the bottom of a Collins glass, or other tall glass, and, using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle them to release the juices in the lime and oils in the mint. Add a few strips of cucumber and fill the glass with ice (crushed, if you’ve got it).
3. Top with tonic water and a few dashes of bitters.