Cucumber Tonic

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 1 mocktail
  • Total: 1 hr 15 min (includes steeping time)
  • Active: 15 min
To mimic the botanical flavor of gin, we made a simple syrup with chamomile tea and juniper berries, then mixed it with cucumber juice and tonic water. It’s super refreshing!
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Ingredients

1 cup sugar

4 bags chamomile tea

1 tablespoon cardamom pods

1 tablespoon juniper berries

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

1 cup packed parsley sprigs, plus more for garnish

4 Persian cucumbers

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus lemon slices for garnish

4 to 6 ounces tonic water

Directions

  1. Make the chamomile syrup: Combine the sugar, tea bags, cardamom, juniper and peppercorns in a saucepan. Smash the parsley with the flat side of a knife and add to the pan along with 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let steep 1 hour, then strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. (The syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks).
  2. Grate 3 cucumbers on the large holes of a box grater and squeeze out 1/4 cup juice; strain through a fine-mesh sieve. With a mandoline or knife, thinly slice the remaining cucumber lengthwise into strips.
  3. Line 2 tall glasses with a few cucumber strips. Fill with ice, then add 2 ounces chamomile syrup and 1 ounce each lemon and cucumber juice to each glass. Top with tonic. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.

Let's Get Cooking!

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