I had no idea what to expect when I opened the bottle of Butcher’s Gin but one sniff and I didn’t need to be told that meat was involved – this gin actually smells like dry aged beef. I won’t lie to you – this was wholly unexpected and a bit off putting. The suggestion is to serve Butcher’s with ‘ a few drops of lemon juice, some pink pepper tonic and some fresh basil’ – but this special mixer is not stocked in the UK. Mixing it with ordinary tonic proved a losing battle anyway – Butcher’s has too strong a taste and simply obliterated any of the mixers I tried with it. The best way to enjoy Butcher’s in my opinion is ice-cold as a shot with a plate of charcuterie – suddenly the spicy taste and heady scent made complete sense.
Rhubarb Cucumber Martini
Ingredients
- 100 ml | 3.4fl oz fresh cucumber juice
- 60 ml | 2fl Warner Edwards Rhubarb Gin
- 30 ml/1fl oz Lillet Blanc
- 1 tsp elderflower cordial
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Grate about a third of a medium cucumber (seeds removed) into a bowl and then squeeze the pulp with your hands or a muslin cloth to extract the juice. Strain to your cocktail shaker.
- Add the remaining ingredients and half fill the shaker with ice. Shake hard for 30 seconds and pour into a chilled martini glass.
Jen says
Fabulous! Not too sweet, not too sour. I made my own cucumber juice slightly sweetened with simple syrup and didn’t have rhubarb gin but used my Hendricks and this was divine!
Maggie Bob says
Cucumber and gin is a match made in heaven. Sounds like a cocktail that would be so refreshing to sip in the summer (if we ever get one!) for sure. I have to say the Butcher's Gin sounds unusual but intriguing enough for me to want to try it.
Little Sunny Kitchen says
I love the idea of Rhubarb gin, and would love to try that! Sounds amazing 🙂
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
Your martini's sound amazing, what a good idea to use cucumber juice! The rhubarb gin sounds seriously good, I'm not so sure about the Butcher's gin though…sounds like an acquired taste! xx
Lucy Allen says
Wow, the rhubarb gin looks amazing! On my wish list!
Nicky Corbishley says
Ooh love the idea of the rhubarb gin! I'd be tempted to try it with some spicy ginger beer. You're making me think all things rhubarb now…… (rhubarb crumble – drool!)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I'm generally not a big gin drinker, but rhubarb gin sounds AMAZING. Definitely need to keep an eye out for that, rhubarb isn't a flavour that's used often enough!
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
You always make the best cocktails Lucy. And wouldn't you know. . .cucumber happens to be my cocktail flavor of choice as of late. I just adore how light & refreshing it is. Only one question remains. . .what time does happy hour start. 😉