Summer after summer, we keep returning to the same cocktail — the Cucumber Caipiroska. Based on the rustic Brazilian Caipirinha, this vodka-based sipper exemplifies everything needed in the perfect summer drink; refreshing, smooth, cool, colorful, easy to create, and super customizable.
Using the same template, we’ve had a ton of fun coming up with fun new adds every year. We’ve incorporated everything from bell peppers to radish! So this year we’re doing something a little different; each week of August, we’ll be featuring a different riff on the original Caipiroska. This week we’re adding lush herbal notes with basil from our garden!
If you have herbs in your garden this year, almost any will work — we’re using basil, but mint, cilantro, sage, oregano, and dill are only some of the delicious herbs you can use. No garden? No problem! Farmer’s markets have tons of great herbs too. Or, if fresh herbs aren’t a possibility, you can create a simple syrup with dried herbs.
Cucumber Caipiroska No. 2
Muddle in Mixing Tin:
3 slices of Cucumber*
2-3 leaves of Basil, or your chosen herb
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz Plain Simple (or omit the fresh herbs & use an Herb Simple)
Add:
1½ oz North Shore Vodka
Muddle cucumber, basil, lime and simple in a mixing tin. Add vodka, fill shaker halfway with ice, then shake well and pour entire contents of shaker into a rocks glass. Garnish with a fresh slice of cucumber.
*we recommend quartering your slices, which makes them much easier to muddle.
Stick around through August to check out all the different versions of this versatile summer cocktail! And in the meantime, check out some of our thoughts for using fresh veggies & herbs in summer cocktailing.
