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Sip on a glass of refreshing Cucumber Gimlet White Sangria! It’s a summer drink that blends the classic gin cocktail with everyone’s favorite white wine punch. Make a pitcher to share this unexpected and unexpectedly delicious sangria recipe with friends!
Disclaimer: This recipe was sponsored by Dandy Farm Fresh Foods. Thank you for supporting the brands with whom I work, as well as supporting me in the partnerships that allow me to continue being able to create and share recipes with you through this blog. As always all opinions are my own.
An Easy Summer Cocktail
Do you have a drink of choice in the summer months? I’m happy to drink wine almost any time of the year. I am usually more in the mood for a cool, crisp white when the weather is warm. But if we are grilling filet mignon or flat iron steak, I want a nice Cabernet. Sangria is always nice too, especially a white wine sangria with fresh summer fruit.
Speaking of fruit, when I was younger, I always wanted those fruity drinks. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found them to be too sweet for my taste. So I’ve ventured into things like a good Dark and Stormy or Moscow Mule, and even a classic gimlet.
That old school gimlet inspired this fresh take on two traditional drink recipes, combining the cucumber gimlet and white sangria.
What is a cucumber gimlet?
A gimlet is a gin and lime juice cocktail usually served over ice, and often with a lime garnish. It is said to have originated in the Royal Navy when lime juice was added to the sailors’ gin to help prevent scurvy.
For many years, it was made by mixing gin with Rose’s Lime Juice, which is a sweet lime juice concentrate. As tastes have changed over the years, many have found that to be too sweet, so the level of sweetness has been adjusted by mixing gin with fresh lime juice and some simple syrup, or sometimes the fresh lime juice and a lesser amount of Rose’s Lime Juice to add just a bit of sweetness.
While cucumber is not an original component of the cocktail, bartenders started adding it add a fresh element that complements the herbal components of the gin. In some cases it is simple added as a garnish, while others will actually muddle the cucumber before shaking the cocktail.
Why this Recipe Works
Cucumber Gimlet White Sangria is just as refreshing as the gimlet. But combining it with a nice, crisp sauvignon blanc for additional flavor complexity transforms it it into a perfect party drink. Just mix up a big batch and let it sit in the fridge till your guests arrive.
There’s some simple syrup for that little touch of sweetness, but the addition of lime keeps it from being too sweet. Cucumber and even some optional celery add freshness that makes it perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.
What’s in this white wine sangria recipe
- Sauvignon Blanc: You can use another type of dry white wine, but the citrusy flavor characteristic of many brands of sauvignon blanc is a great complement for this cocktail. You’ll need one bottle.
- Gin: Use your favorite. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive.
- Simple syrup: To make the simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar in a small saucepan, heat until all of the sugar is dissolved, then cool completely in the refrigerator.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Don’t use the kind from a bottle.
- Celery: This is optional but adds an interesting herbal, savory element.
- Cucumber: Thinly sliced to go in the drink, plus some extra slices for garnish.
- Limes: Beside the lime juice, you’ll also want some lime slices for the cocktail and to garnish it.
- Ice
How to make a Cucumber Gimlet White Sangria
If you don’t have any on hand, make the simple syrup so it can chill.
Then combine all of the ingredients except the ice in a pitcher. You can serve it right away, but putting it in the refrigerator for a bit will give the flavors time to blend and develop.
Pour over ice and enjoy!
Want these glasses?
You can pick up a set from Amazon.
Libbey Vina Stemless White Wine Glasses, Set of 4
Celery Cucumber Gimlet White Sangria
Ingredients
- 750 ml Sauvignon Blanc or other dry white wine
- 1/4 cup gin
- 1/4 cup simple syrup *see Note
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 stalks celery cut into about 2-3 inch pieces (optional)
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 3 limes, thinly sliced
- ice
- additional cucumber and lime slices for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients except the ice in a pitcher and stir. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve, and add ice to the pitcher as you set it out, or into the individual glasses.
Notes
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakekalechip on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
More summer cocktail recipes
- Pina Colada Mule
- Skinny Grapefruit Margarita
- Cherry Vanilla Dirty Coke
- Green Bloody Mary from Platings & Pairings
- Celery Gimlet from Shutterbean
- Celery Cilantro Cocktail from Skinnytaste
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Thank you for sharing this at Thoughts of Home.
We love having you.
What a great drink for the warm summer! Pinning to try! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
MMM sounds so refreshing, pinning for later!
Brianne, sounds refreshing and looks so pretty! Pinning and tweeting!
Thanks so much!
This celery cucumber is my all time favourite drink. Thanks Brianne for sharing this rejuvenating drink recipe 🙂
Enjoy!