This cucumber basil martini has gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon, lime and simple syrup, with cucumber and basil muddled into the drink. It makes one cocktail and is served up in a chilled glass.

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 cucumber slices
  • 3 to 4 fresh basil leaves, plus a little more to garnish
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain
  • 2 ounces gin
  • About 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • About 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • Cucumber slice and basil, for garnish
Cucumber, fresh basil, citrus and gin for a cucumber basil martini.
Cucumber, basil, lemon and lime go into this gin martini.

How to Make a Cucumber Basil Martini

  1. Chill a cocktail or martini glass.
  2. Gently muddle the cucumber and basil in a shaker.
  3. Add the simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, gin, lemon juice, lime juice and ice. Shake until cold.
  4. Fine-strain into the chilled glass and garnish with cucumber and basil.
Cucumber and basil being strained from a shaker into a chilled coupe.
Fine-strain the drink into a chilled glass.

What Is in a Cucumber Basil Martini?

Gin and elderflower liqueur anchor this version, with cucumber, basil, citrus and simple syrup. The muddled produce is strained out before serving.

For a fruit-forward alternative, consider the Frostbite blueberry martini . Use its own ingredients and method rather than swapping berries into this cucumber recipe.

For an evening with more than one drink option, see the cocktail-party menu .

Cucumber basil martini in a chilled coupe with cucumber and basil garnish.
Serve the martini cold, with cucumber and basil to garnish.