Summery Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktail

Beat the summer heat with this thirst-quenching Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktail. Learn how to make cucumber infused gin, then combine it with fresh grapefruit juice over ice for the ultimate summer sipper.

Nothing says ‘SUMMER!’ more than a icy cold beverage on a hot day. I love adding fun flavours to cocktails, whether it’s with coconut and lime in a Coconut Margarita or adding a little northern flair such as blueberries in this vibrant Blueberry Mojito. So, grab a bag of ice and let’s get mixing!

Summery Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktail

If you are the sort of person that loves a not-too-sweet cocktail… this is the perfect drink for YOU! The grapefruit is sour and tangy but goes oh, so well with the fresh green notes of the cucumber. If you have had a Pimm’s Cup, these refreshing Cucumber Cocktails have a similar taste profile, fresh and savoury with a touch of citrus.

Would you believe that a quick search of the extensive cocktail recipes on this blog yielded absolutely no gin-based recipes?! I’m as shocked as you are! Our liquor cabinet(s) is chalk full of various gins which we use in heavy rotation during the summer months.

The classic Gin ‘n’ Tonic cocktail is served with a twist of lemon or lime. However, this simple libation is also great with most other fruit, including berries and stone fruits. These ingredients are best incorporated using a muddler to make a classic ‘smash’ style cocktail. Now let’s talk about a more savoury perspective…

This easy grapefruit cucumber cooler combines savoury fresh cucumber flavour with bright grapefruit juice. While, quick muddling a cucumber will undoubtedly impart some flavour, a homemade gin infusion imparts the greatest amount of cucumber flavour.

Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktail Ingredients

Fresh ingredients make the most refreshing cocktails and there is no better combination than grapefruit and cucumber. Add the gin, and this cocktail recipe is one you’ll turn to time and time again.

• Cucumber
• Gin
• Grapefruit Juice
• Simple syrup
• Club Soda
• Ice

For this recipe, choose firm, unblemished English cucumbers. I find that they have the most uniform flavour, and rarely end up being bitter. However, it is a good idea to always taste the cucumber before using in a recipe.

Use fresh grapefruit juice if you can, though store-bought will also work in this recipe. Note that you will need at least one grapefruit if you plan on using cut grapefruit triangles for garnish.

While this isn’t a sweet or sugary cocktail, a little bit of simple syrup will balance out the cucumber and grapefruit flavours. It is easy to make a quick simple syrup using honey, agave, or regular sugar. Instructions for making simple syrup are in the recipe card.

Use club soda or soda water in this recipe, not tonic water. Club soda and soda water are simply sparkling water that contains minerals that act as flavour enhancers. However, they are not the same as tonic water as they do not contain quinine.

Which Gin is Best with Cucumber?

Cucumber pairs best with classic dry London style gin or fresh, smooth and summery gins. The fresh, mellow and sometimes floral or sweet character of cucumber pairs well with either the classic juniper dry gins like Hayman’s, Bombay Sapphire, or Tanqueray No Ten gin.

For those with more floral fresh flavours, seek out those with more contemporary flavours like Hendrick’s.

Gin and (Cucumber) Juice

You might have heard of a cucumber vodka cocktail but have you ever had a cucumber gin cocktail? The savoury, slightly bitter cucumber flavour goes so well with the botanicals in a classic ‘juniper forward’ gin.

While there are a few cucumber-flavoured gins on the market these days, it is fairly easy to infuse your own gin. Using a real cucumber to infuse your favourite gin will add the most authentic cucumber flavour and is far above any store-bought cucumber flavoured gin.

Bear in mind that the cucumber will need 12-18 hours to infuse fully into the gin. However, once the gin is ready, these Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktails take mere minutes to mix up.

How to Make a Cucumber Gin Infusion

The flavour can vary from cucumber to cucumber, so it is always important to taste before using it for an infusion or any other recipe. Taste the cucumber… if it is bitter, do not use for infusing.

NOTE: If you have a juicer, feel free to try this recipe with fresh cucumber juice instead of infusing the gin. Always taste and adjust for sweetness and flavour balance as you go. 

To make the cucumber gin infusion, wash and peel 1/2 cucumber. Remove cucumber seeds and cut into thin strips. Bruise it slightly using the knife handle.

Next, place the cucumber in a glass jar and fill with 8 oz gin. Seal and allow to infuse in a cool spot for 12-18 hours. Once infused, strain out the cucumber and reserve gin for cocktails. This infusion is enough to make enough for 4 cocktails. Scale up if you intend to make more.

How to Make a Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktail

For this recipe, you’ll need a large cocktail mixing glass, a jigger, a vegetable peeler, and a bar spoon for mixing. Most mixing glasses will only allow for two cocktails to be made at one time so if you are making four cocktails, it’s best to do it in two batches.

The best barware for this recipe are tall, straight sided Collins-style glasses.

Let’s start with the garnish. Using a sharp vegetable peeler, carefully peel two long thin slices from a cucumber. Style them in a twist on the inside of two cocktail glasses, using their natural moisture to keep them in place.

To make the cocktail, place 6 oz grapefruit juice and 1 oz honey (agave or sugar) simple syrup in a cocktail mixing glass (not a cocktail shaker!). Stir well with a muddling spoon. Add 4 oz infused gin to the mixing glass, stir well then taste and adjust sweetness level, if needed.

Divide cocktail evenly between two garnished glasses. Add ice, then top each glass up with 2 oz soda water or club soda.

Garnish with grapefruit triangle, a cucumber slice, or edible flowers. Cheers!

Mixing It Up – Cocktail Flavour Variations

As usual, I don’t always stick to the recipe, and neither should you! We all have different palates and taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with other flavours like using watermelon instead of grapefruit to make a tasty watermelon cucumber cooler.

Or, if you want a bit more citrus flavour, try adding a squirt of fresh lime juice in addition to the grapefruit juice.

Fresh herbs such as mint or basil make a wonderful addition. We occasionally love to sip on a cucumber basil or cucumber mint cocktail. They are incredibly refreshing while making good use of our garden herbs!

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill and I’ve been the sole recipe developer, photographer, and writer at Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen for the past eleven years. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

If you make this Summery Grapefruit Cucumber Cocktail, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section or in the ratings. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please share your photos and tag me on Instagram. I hope you like this recipe!