It seems that Summer is finally here and as we all try to deal with the heat, thoughts turn to barbeques, swimming pools and a little something to cool us down.
This is one of my favourite Summer drinks - a take on the classic Country Meadow cocktail, this mocktail does away with the gin that is normally found in it (but if you like a little something and it is past gin o'clock, add a slurp as well!).
I love using cucumber in my natural skincare products (my eye oil, angel eyes includes cucumber oil) as it is such a cooling, freshing ingredients to use.
Make a job lot of the cucumber juice (which is really easy by the way) and keep it in the fridge to drink with either water, or in mocktails like this to help you cool down - simply blitz a cucumber in a blender and then strain through a muslin cloth or clean tea towel.
I'm lucky enough to have borage growing in our garden - not only does it look pretty, it tastes just like cucumber too - so the perfect garnish for this drink.
Enough to serve four large glasses...
500ml fizzy water
50ml elderflower cordial
250ml cucumber juice
250ml cloudy apple Juice
two glassfuls of crushed ice (or ice cubes)
12 cucumber slices
borage flowers (optional)
In a large jug add the fizzy water, the elderflower cordial, the cucumber juice and cloudy apple juice. Give the contents a good stir, then pour over glasses full of the crushed ice. Add a few slices of cucumber and some borage flowers for good measure.
Now find a shady spot somewhere in the garden, relax and sip copiously.
Enjoy!
PS: If it's past 7pm, a quick slug of gin would be delicious too!
angel eyes
