This cucumber borage gin and tonic is a gorgeous refreshing highball cocktail that’s crisp, slightly floral and incredibly well balanced. Serve it with our stunning cucumber borage salad!
This is the type of drink that really transports you to an elegant garden party. It’s the perfect accompaniment for a floral themed bridal shower.
What is borage?
Blue borage flowers are beautiful edible flowers, which are vibrant star-shaped blooms that add beauty to the plate, along with a mild cucumber flavor that some describe as a sweet honey taste. That’s why they make a perfect pair with cucumber.
Why you’ll love this cocktail
This drink tastes just like good old fashioned G&T’s but amped up thanks to fragrant flavors plus subtle hints of sweetness coming through the syrup. It’s just so good. And the best thing about gin and tonics? You can change up their taste just by picking a different gin. Here are my favorites for a refreshing botanical gin and tonic, as their underlying flavor notes pair perfectly.
What gin should you add?
The tasting notes in these quality gin spirits pair beautifully with a botanical cocktail
- Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin– Cucumber, Sage, Lemon
- Hendrix -Cucumber, Rose, Citrus
- Tanguray – Juniper, Coriander, Anise
- Bombay – Juniper, Coriander, Lemon
- Gordon’s – Pine, Pepper, Angelica
Ingredients you need:
- Gin
- Tonic water
- Ice
- Lime
- Cucumber
- Borage simple syrup
- Borage flowers, fresh or dried
- Honey
- Sugar
- Water
Helpful tools:
- Cocktail shaker – for shaking your simple syrup into your lime juice and gin
- Cocktail jigger – for measuring in oz
Both of these are optional, you can absolutely just pour your ingredients into a glass and stir if you don’t have these on hand.
How do you make borage syrup?
This 1:1 ratio is so simple, all it requires is 1 cup of water to 1 cup of sugar and ½ cup of fresh or 1/3 cup of dried borage flower. I also add ¼ cup of honey for it’s beautiful ability to balance the floral flavor in this syrup.
In a small saucepan over medium/high heat, heat the water, honey, sugar, and borage flowers until it comes to a simmer. Stir to dissolve the sugar and continue simmering gently for 5 minutes, reduce heat and let simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove from heat and let the liquid cool. Lastly, strain into a jar (with an airtight lid)
How to make this recipe?
Add your gin and borage flower syrup, lime juice with ice into your cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain over your glass of choice with ice. Top with tonic water. Add your garnish, and enjoy.
cucumber borage gin and tonic
Ingredients
- for syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup fresh borage flowers OR ? cup dried borage flowers
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
- Instructions
- for cocktail:
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce borage simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 ounces tonic water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium/high heat, heat the water, sugar, and lavender until it comes to a simmer.
Stir to dissolve the sugar and continue simmering gently for 5 minutes, reduce heat and let simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let the liquid cool
Strain into a jar (with an airtight lid) - Add your gin and borage syrup, lime juice with ice into your cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain over your glass of choice with ice. Top with tonic water. Add your garnish, and enjoy.
Notes
Frequently asked questions:
What is simple syrup?
Simple syrup is generally found in two strengths: Equal parts sugar and water, the most common strength in U.S. bars, is referred to as “one-to-one” (1:1). Two parts sugar to one part water is, as you might guess, referred to as 2:1, which is the standard syrup in U.K. bars; in the States, you’ll often hear 2:1 syrup being referred to as “rich simple syrup.”
How should I garnish this cocktail?
- A borage cocktail needs a beautiful borage flower!
- A sprig of candied rosemary or mint. You can find my recipe for candied herbs for an elegant garnish here.
- With a refreshing slice of cucumber
- Over floral ice cubes
Leave a Reply