English Spirit Cucumber

I was intrigued to try the Cucumber Spirit, something both completely new and yet quintessentially British. It’s a highly unusual spirit, creamy but very fresh, powerfully cucumbery, but with a slight sweetness to its character. When describing the cucumber spirit to a friend, it sounds the sort of thing to be used in minuscule amounts to add flavour to a long cocktail, or in lieu of vermouth in a martini. And it certainly works in that context (a Pimm’s Martini with Pimm’s, lemon syrup, cucumber spirit, calvados and mint would be a fine way to make a summer drink short and wintry).

However, this is a drink that can be sipped, or used as the spirit to be mixed with cloudy lemonade for a fresh and summery, grown-up cooler. It’s certainly not the first ingredient on a new cocktail maker’s wishlist, but the connoisseur will find they use it much more than expected, especially once the sun makes its way back into our lives.