This Cucumber Tonic Mocktail is a great substitute for a gin & tonic if you’re partaking in dry January, or just want to enjoy a cocktail without the booze.
Cucumber and rosemary go together really well, and the flavors of both really pop when you add sparkling tonic to the mix. This mocktail takes the emphasis off the gin and puts it squarely on the botanicals.
Since the focus of this mocktail is the cucumber, rosemary and tonic, it’s important to make sure you’re using good quality ingredients. Both the cucumber and rosemary should be as fresh as you can get. And use a high-quality tonic. It’ll make all the difference.
» You might be interested in this Homemade Rosemary Simple Syrup.
Slice the cucumber, either in round discs because that’s super simple, or in long ribbons. I love the ribbons because it gives more surface area to the cucumber, so more flavor and aroma comes out. It’s not hard to do with a vegetable peeler or a mandolin, if you’re lucky enough to have one.
For the tonic, I suggest using a high-quality tonic, like Fever Tree or Fentiman’s. These were created with a Gin & Tonic in mind, so the flavors are very complimentary to the botanicals.
I personally really like the Fever Tree cucumber tonic. Give that a try for this mocktail, if you can find it.
The final addition to this mocktail that makes it extra special is peppercorns. Fresh peppercorns can add so much wonderful aroma to the drink. It can also impart a slight spiciness, but it’s very mild. You might not even notice the flavor. But the aroma is wonderful.
You can use a mix of peppercorns (black, red, white, green), or just stick with black peppercorns. Either way, it’ll elevate the cucumber flavors and really take this mocktail to the next level.
Add Non-Alcoholic Gin?
If you want to try one of the many brands of non-alcoholic gin that are available today, that’s up to you. This mocktail definitely doesn’t need it, but it can be a fun addition, and a chance to give these botanical zero proof gins a try.
Check out this list of non-alcoholic spirits for some ideas. You might be able to find some of these in your area, or you can go directly to their website to find out about distribution or delivery.
If you’re looking for more mocktails, here are a few of our cocktail recipes that can easily be made without alcohol.
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Cucumber Rosemary Tonic Mocktail
This Cucumber Tonic Mocktail is a great substitute for a gin & tonic if you're partaking in dry January, or just want to enjoy a cocktail without the booze.
Ingredients
- 5 oz tonic water
- 1 cucumber ribbon (or 3 slices)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 10 peppercorns
- Ice
Instructions
Add the cucumber ribbon and rosemary sprig to the glass, top with ice. Pour over the tonic water to fill. Drop in the peppercorns. Allow to infuse for 5 minutes before drinking.
Notes
- If you use non-alcoholic gin in this recipe, use 2 oz "gin" and 3 oz tonic water.
- We like Fever Tree Cucumber Tonic to give this mocktail an extra boost of flavor.
- To reduce the calories, use a light tonic.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1 mocktailServing Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 141Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 27mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 7gSugar: 17gProtein: 4g
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
Perfect! Exactly the fun “mock” tail I was looking for this weekend.
This is such a gorgeously refreshing mocktail recipe!