The first time I realized cucumber wasn’t just for salads, was at a little cafe in Pasadena about seven years ago, where they were serving water in pitchers with sliced cucumber. It was one of the most simple, refreshing drinks I’ve ever had! I can’t believe it hadn’t dawned on me years ago how perfect cucumber would be in a cocktail, or even better, in a cupcake! Today’s cupcake and cocktail is cool and sweet, basically everything you want to drink and eat on a Friday evening after a long week. Mix up a cucumber gin martini tonight along with a cucumber gin cupcake, and ring in the weekend with style. This cupcake would be perfect for a tea party or bridal shower served as dessert after cucumber tea sandwiches. Find some vintage serving platters, and you’ll have a soiree that even the queen would love!
Cucumber Gin Cupcake
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup gin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, eggs, and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the flours. Slowly alternate adding the flour and the gin to the butter mixture until thoroughly combined. Add the vanilla extract. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full, and bake for 18 minutes, or until a fork comes out clean.
Cucumber Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup pureed cucumber
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 stick cold butter
Cream together cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. Add cucumber puree and mix til combined. Slowly add the powdered sugar until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Cucumber Gin Martini
- 1 1/2 cups gin
- 1 cucumber (about 9 ounces), cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices, plus 6 thin slices for garnish
- 2 tablespoons (or more) dry vermouth
- Ice cubes
Mix gin and thick cucumber slices in pitcher. Cover and chill overnight or 2-3 days.
Remove cucumber slices. Pour half of gin into cocktail shaker. Add 1 tablespoon (or more) vermouth, then fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously; strain into 3 glasses. Repeat with remaining gin and desired amount of vermouth. Decorate your martini with thin cucumber slices and serve.
