Gin Cucumber Cilantro Smash

It’s officially the first weekend in spring!

Now, I don’t know about you, but spring (and summer, really) are all about hiking, kayaking and sitting on patios. A healthy amount of the outdoors and exercise, with a strong dose of hanging out with friends on patios.

So today, if you are lucky enough to have a patio (or super lucky and have a backyard), you should make this cocktail. It’s the perfect sitting outside, seeing friends, having a cocktail kind of cocktail. The sort of no fuss, not too sugary, just enough booze cocktail to get you pleasantly buzzed but not drunk. The sort of drink to have on a patio tonight and welcome in spring. Doesn’t that just feel like the right thing to do?

Yeah, I thought so too.

Gin Cucumber Cilantro Smash

• 6 thick slices of cucumber
• 1 small handful of cilantro leaves
• 1 small handful of mint leaves
• 1 lime
• 6 oz gin
• Sparkling water

Put the cucumber, cilantro, mint and lime in the bottom of a pitcher or large jar.

With a muddler or a wooden spoon, muddle the leaves and lime and cucumber into a big old smashed up pile.

Pour the gin on top and top with soda water and ice.

Serve and drink immediately!