Cucumber Saketini

  

These are refreshing and adorable!

Yield: 4-6 cocktails

Ingredients:

8 ounces sake

3 tbsp simple syrup

2 ounces fresh lime juice

2 tbsp fresh cucumber puree

1 tsp white sugar

Lemon Lime Soda, to taste

Directions:

Purchase fresh cucumbers at the store - if you get regular cucumbers, you can make about 3 of these per.  I used English cucumbers, which are longer and thinner -  I was able to cut 4-5 cucumber "glasses" out of them.

Making the glasses is easy.  Cut cucumbers evenly in 3 to 4 inch tall pieces.  Starting from about 1/4 inch inside, hollow out the pieces.  Be careful not to get too close to the bottom; these leak easily!  The last thing you want is a guest with a trick spouting drink on their hands.  It is a good idea to check them in advance for leaks, for that very reason.  Reserve some of the interior cucumber for the puree.  You can make the puree in a blender, food processor, or just by chopping it up.

Mix cocktail ingredients in a martini shaker or large glass. Taste and adjust flavors (by adding more sake or cucumber) or sweetness (by adding more sugar) if necessary.  The drink should be mildly sweet and refreshing.

Now, using the leftover pieces of cucumber, cut "swizzle sticks" for the drinks.  They should be at least 1/8th inch thick, so that they will stand up in the drink.  To serve, pour chilled saketini into cucumber cups and add swizzle sticks.  Enjoy!