Confession: I’ve been keeping the perfect summertime cocktail from you. Truth be told, I’ve been drinking this raspberry, cucumber + mint punch all summer long—on lazy Saturdays, warm evenings, and I even whipped a batch up for friends when I was out at Fire Island in New York in June. It’s a pretty simple cocktail but a total crowd pleaser. And I’m sorry for keeping it from you (don’t hate me!).
My mom (see also: my #1 fan and avid cocktail enthusiast) actually introduced me to this drink, which she spotted in a magazine. We made it together and it was an instant keeper. I’m calling this a punch because it’s easiest made in a larger batch, but I’ve also halved it when I was making the drink for two. The best thing about this is that you can’t really mess it up. If you add too much sugar, just top it off with more soda water. If you don’t muddle enough raspberries, you can always throw a few more in.
I know it’s almost September—did I mention I was sorry?!—but there’s still time to sip this punch as the dog days of summer come to a close. Can you think of a better way to end the season?
Raspberry, Cucumber + Mint Punch
makes 4-6 cocktails; adapted from Sunset Magazine
- 1 ½ c. raspberries, plus a few for garnish
- Half of an English cucumber (regular will work too, just scoop out the seeds), sliced
- 3 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn in half, plus more for garnish
- ¼ c. sugar
- 3 oz fresh lemon juice
- 8 oz gin (I used Tanqueray – a london dry gin works well here)
- 8-12 oz seltzer
Assembly
Fill 4-6 lowball or rocks glasses with ice. Set aside.
In a large pitcher, muddle the raspberries, cucumber slices and mint leaves. Add sugar and lemon juice and continue to muddle until all of the juices have been released from the cucumber and raspberries. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Discard the solids and return to the pitcher. Add gin and stir well.
Divide the cocktail amongst the glasses and top each with 2-3 oz of seltzer. Garnish with a raspberry and mint sprig.
Want more end-of-summer sips? Here are a few for inspiration!
- Rivington Punch – A Summer Spritz
- Poolside Pineapple Daiquiri
- La Croix Shower Spritz by PUNCH (I’m really into spritzes right now, OK!?)
- Rhubarb Mint Mojito by Broma Bakery
- Summer Breeze by Zacapa Rum
- Dragon Bramble by Beautiful Booze