Cucumber-Tequila Cooler
Andrea Potischman
Aug 16, 2017
A special post-shout-out to The Almanac, a local Silicon Valley newspaper, for the awesome piece they just published on me and my blog this week titled “Chef In The House“. I am super excited. In honor of my very first press coverage, I developed this delicious, refreshing cucumber-tequila cooler as a “thank you” to The Almanac, Kate Bradshaw who interviewed me and wrote a lovely article, and photographer Michelle Le, who captured my food so beautifully.
This light, refreshing drink is slightly similar to a mojito, but with tequila instead of rum. With just a little bit of sweetness, this cooler is fantastic on a hot summer day. Cucumbers happen to be one of my favorite vegetables and I put them in everything, so why not a drink? With their light melon aroma, they make wonderful additions to a variety of fun cocktails. Originally from South Asia, cucumbers–which are a plant in the gourd family–are now grown on most continents, yet most (about 75%) are produced in China.
Cucumbers, with their 95.2% water content, are often assumed to be nutritionally useless. But cucumbers have several nutrients and can be a source of fiber. They are believed to be a cleanser with great anti-inflammatory properties, which is the main reason you see this popular vegetable used widely in wellness spas. I won’t go so far as to say this cucumber-tequila cooler is good for you. But in the world of specialty drinks, maybe it’s not all that bad for you either.
Cucumber-Tequila Cooler
Ingredients:
- 1 two-inch piece of Persian or hothouse cucumber, peeled and rough chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon agave syrup
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces seltzer
- Crushed ice
- Kosher salt, for garnish
- Cucumber ribbons, for garnish
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Directions:
- Place a good amount of salt on a small saucer. Wet the rim of a lowball glass with the lime wedge. Dip the glass into the salt to adhere to the rim of the glass. Fill with a good amount of crushed ice. Place the cucumber ribbons inside the glass along the bottom. Set aside.
- Place the chopped cucumber into a shaker. Muddle the cucumber until broken and smashed. Add the lime juice, agave and tequila and a cup of ice. Shake well for 15 seconds. Strain into prepared glass.
- Top with seltzer, garnish with a cucumber ribbon, lime wedge and serve.
Well deserved! You’re amazing! So excited for you!
You are so sweet. Thanks Steph for being such a supportive friend!