This summer cooler is a testament to my claim: ‘I love experimenting with flavor’. Ever had a drink that is cool, spicy, sweet and tangy – all at the same time? Prepare to be blown away!
Cool cucumber, spicy jalapeño, fresh cilantro and tangy lime come together to create an extremely vibrant drink that will leave you feeling utterly refreshed and rejuvenated. Also, there’s a little something extra in here for stunning visual appeal that just adds to the charm of this drink. You can make this as a cocktail or a mocktail, both versions are equally smashing!
The beautiful blue and purple colors in the drink come from butterfly pea flowers. I came across these last year and this was my first time using them – here’s the link if you need a recommendation. Steeping butterfly pea flowers in boiling hot water creates a beautiful deep blue color and adding any kind of citrus to it changes the color to a bright violet. These do not add any flavor to the drink but definitely add some beautiful hues!
Prepare to WOW everyone whenever you make this one – and feel free to skip the butterfly pea if you don’t have access to it – your drink will be a beautiful shade of green with all the flavors in there! SO excited to be sharing this one with you and can’t wait for you to try it! Send me a picture, tag @thedancingcookbook and #thedancingcookbook whenever you make this one. Cheers! 🙂
Spicy Cucumber Cooler
A treat for the eyes and the palate, this stunning drink is cool, spicy, sweet and tangy - all at the same time; and is the perfect summer treat! Refreshing cucumber, hot jalapeño, fresh cilantro and tangy lime come together to create a drink full of flavor and freshness. Absolutely smashing as a cocktail or a mocktail!
Ingredients
- 60 ml Cucumber Juice
- 3-4 Jalapeño Slices
- Handful Cilantro Leaves
- 30 ml Lime Juice
- 60 ml Gin (for cocktail)
- 1-2 Tbsp Maple Syrup/Sweetener of choice
- Sparkling Water/Club Soda
- Ice
- 30 ml Butterfly Pea Tea (optional)
Instructions
- (Optional) For the blue and purple layers- prepare the butterfly pea tea. Steep 5-6 butterfly pea flowers in boiling hot water and allow to cool.
- To prepare the cucumber juice, peel and blend a cucumber. Strain to get the juice. (You can also use store bought cold pressed cucumber juice).
- In a glass, add in the jalapeño slices and cilantro leaves and muddle well to release flavor.
- Add the cucumber juice and sweetener and stir well.
- Add ice, gin (for the cocktail) and top with sparkling water/club soda until the glass is three quarters full. If you don't want colored layers at this point, add the lime juice, stir and enjoy!
- If using butterfly pea tea - hold a spoon in inverted position over the drink and pour the tea into the glass. This helps create a separate blue layer atop the drink.
- Pour in the lime juice and watch the magic happen - you will see a purple layer appear. Cheers!
Notes
- Creating the blue and purple layers is completely optional. Butterfly pea flowers add color to the drink - but no flavor, so feel free to skip.
- You can also muddle cucumber slices instead of using cucumber juice, but the juice definitely adds more flavor and body to the drink.
- This drink is great as a cocktail or a mocktail. Make sure to be generous with the cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño for the best flavor!