Cucumber-Dill Gin Fizz

Most people share cocktail recipes on Fridays. I don't know about you, but the day I tend to need a cocktail the most is Monday. 

Now that I work for myself, I love Mondays. They mark the start of another [hopefully] productive week, five new days of new opportunities. But I also tend to pack Mondays with a lot of work and writing assignments. Why I do that to myself, I'll never know, but by the time I'm done with my work on Mondays, I'm ready for a drink.

Last week, I asked my Facebook and Twitter peeps what kind of cocktail they would make with dill simple syrup (I had leftover dill in the freezer, and decided to make simple syrup with it). A lot of you had some fantastic suggestions (thank you!), and, as a result, this cocktail was born.

Cucumber-Dill Gin Fizz

Yields: 2 cocktails

Dill Simple Syrup:

-1 cup granulated sugar

-1 cup water

-1/3 cup fresh dill 

Cocktail:

-5 peeled cucumber slices (plus extra for garnish)

-Pinch of granulated sugar

-2 tablespoons lime juice

-3 ounces gin

-1 ounce dill simple syrup 

-Ice cubes

-Club soda

Directions (Dill Simple Syrup):

1.) Place sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Right as mixture begins to boil, add dill, then reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 7-10 minutes, or until sugar has dissolved completely.

2.) Strain simple syrup into an airtight container (discard dill leaves), and keep in fridge for 3-4 days.

Directions (Cocktail):

1.) Place cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker with sugar and lime juice; muddle with a wooden spoon. Add gin and simple syrup, and shake for 1 minute.
2.) Fill a glass (we used whiskey glasses) with ice; fill each glass halfway with the gin mixture. Top off each glass with club soda. Stir, and garnish with a cucumber slice.

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The fresh cucumber with the subtle hint of dill - mixed with the bright flavor of the lime juice - made this one refreshing and somewhat savory cocktail. The sweetness from the simple syrup also helped to calm the typically strong flavors of the dill and gin. I will be making this cocktail a lot in the future, especially once the summer is here!

Unfortunately, I don't have any leftover for tonight, but I'm sure I'll manage to still end this day with a strong drink. You should, too. Because why wait until Friday?

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