Ever wanted to make your own flavored vodka? This cucumber vodka recipe is so easy to follow, and can be used to make all kinds of cocktails. Skip the store bought stuff and make your own for cocktails like cucumber mojitos, vodka sodas, and martinis.
I'm not much of a vodka connoisseur (I prefer some flavor in my spirits!), but I love making infused vodka. You can turn a bottle of vodka into a flavorful mixer with fruit or fresh herbs, and build your own craft mixology kit by making a few different flavors like cucumber, berry, or hibiscus (flor de jamaica) by following the same instructions.
This cucumber vodka is a good place to start because it's refreshing, and so much more delicious than any kind you can buy in the store (which tastes closer to Bath & Body Works lotion than anything you'd want to imbibe).
Jar of steeping cucumber vodka
🥒 Ingredients
As the name suggests, cucumber vodka requires only two ingredients (three if you could the more abstract ingredient, time).
Cucumbers
This is the perfect recipe to make in the summer if you grow cucumbers in your garden. Since the cucumber is the star of the show, choosing a fresh, flavorful cucumber is best.
Vodka
Use a medium grade (and price point) vodka. While you don't want to be drinking cucumber-flavored rubbing alcohol, it's also not necessary to use a top shelf vodka.
🔪 Instructions
Peel the cucumber and scoop out the seeds. The peel will add a bitter flavor.
Seeded and sliced cucumbers
Chop up the cucumber and add it to 750ml (1 bottle) vodka, or about 3 cups.
Keep in a cool, dry place and let steep for at least 2 days, and up to 2 weeks. You can do a taste test every day or so until the cucumber flavor is to your liking.
Cucumber vodka and hibiscus vodka
Once it's ready, strain out the cucumber pieces and store in a clean bottle or jar in a cool, dry place or in the fridge until ready to use. It's not necessary to keep it refrigerated because the alcohol will prevent mold growth, but it tastes best chilled.
🍹 Cocktails
What to mix cucumber vodka with? My favorite cocktails with cucumber vodka are Cucumber Mint Mojitos, Vodka Gimlets, or a simple vodka soda.
Cucumber pairs well with herbs like mint and rosemary, and citrus (but not too much that it overpowers the flavor).
Cucumber Mint Mojito
📖 Recipe
Homemade Cucumber Vodka
This infused cucumber vodka is so easy to make with fresh cucumbers, and tastes so much better than the store bought kind. Use it to make cocktails such as cucumber mojitos and cucumber vodka martinis.
Ingredients
- 1 750ml bottle vodka (about 3 cups)
- 1 large cucumber
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber and scoop out its seeds.
- Chop up cucumber and add it to the vodka. Let sit for at least 2 days (up to 2 weeks, depending how strong a flavor you want) in a cool, dry place.
- Remove the cucumber pieces, discard, and use the flavored vodka however you wish!
Notes
- It's important to peel the cucumber. The peel will add a bitter flavor.
- The cucumber flavor will be stronger the longer you steep the cucumber pieces in the vodka. If you're short on time, you can use it in as little as 2 days. Steep for at least 1 week for the best flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 17 Serving Size: 1 ½ ounces (1 shot)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97
Glyn McBride
Hi, If I was looking to add mint to the infusion, how much mint should I add and when should I add it?
Cheers,
Glyn
Kelly Peloza
Hi Glyn,
You could add mint at the same time as the cucumber. I would start with a small amount and taste and adjust as it steeps. The mint will have a stronger flavor than the cucumber.
Kelly
Jean Beech
If I use less than a bottle of vodka, then what is the ratio of vodka to cucumber?
Kelly Peloza
Hi Jean,
There are about 3 cups of vodka in a 750ml bottle. Since the recipe calls for 1 cucumber, I would try 1/3 of a cucumber per cup of vodka and you can scale up or down as you like.
Hope this helps.
Kelly
Anthony Onyokoko
Can the mix be steeped longer than 2 Weeks?
Kelly Peloza
I wouldn't recommend steeping it longer. It will start to taste bitter. The best way to decide if it's ready is a taste test.
Anthony
Instead of mint, can the cucumber go with chanca piedra leaves?
Kelly Peloza
Hi Anthony,
I'm not familiar with chanca piedra leaves, but if you are making a mojito or other cocktail that calls for mint leaves, you could give it a try if you like the flavor!
Cristobal Butler
Hi Kelly
So often at bars you see the bar-made cucumber vodka jar displayed with seeds intact..
Do the seeds add the bitterness as the peel does?
Kelly Peloza
Hi Cristobal, the seeds will add a mild bitterness, though not as much as the peel. I usually scoop them out since the insides of the cucumber will make it more difficult to cleanly strain out the vodka and can absorb much of the vodka.