Cucumber Collins Cocktail Recipe

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Looking for a cocktail that just screams spring or summer? The Cucumber Collins is a playful spin on the classic Tom Collins, mixing crisp cucumber with gin and lemon for a drink that feels like a breeze on a warm day.

It’s crazy simple—just a handful of ingredients, and you’ll have it ready in under five minutes. No need to overthink it.

This one’s built on muddled cucumber, fresh lemon juice, gin, some simple syrup, and a splash of club soda. Pour it all over ice in a tall glass and you’ve got yourself a real refresher.

The cucumber brings this fresh-from-the-garden vibe, balancing out the tart and sweet notes. It’s the kind of drink that feels right for a backyard hangout or a lazy brunch.

You can totally scale it up for a crowd, too. Just multiply the recipe, and don’t forget the cucumber garnish—it looks fancy but takes zero skill.

Cucumber Collins Cocktail Recipe

Cucumber Collins Cocktail Recipe
The Cucumber Collins is honestly just a Tom Collins with a cool, crisp upgrade. You get gin, lemon, simple syrup, club soda, and cucumber all coming together in one glass.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Equipment

  • Collins glass (tall, 10-12 oz works great)
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Muddler
  • Jigger or something to measure
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Bar spoon
  • Strainer

Ingredients

For one Cucumber Collins:

  • 2 oz gin London Dry is my go-to
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • 3-4 cucumber slices plus one for garnish
  • Club soda about 2-3 oz, but it’s flexible
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon wheel for garnish optional
  • Mint sprig for garnish optional

Simple Syrup Recipe:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • Heat until dissolved then cool it down

Instructions

  • Slice your cucumber into thin rounds. Drop 3-4 slices into a cocktail shaker.
  • Add simple syrup, then muddle the cucumber gently. You want flavor, not mush.
  • Pour in your gin and lemon juice.
  • Fill the shaker with ice. Shake it hard for about 15-20 seconds—get it nice and cold.
  • Fill a Collins glass with fresh ice.
  • Strain your mix into the glass.
  • Top off with club soda, then give it a gentle stir.
  • Garnish with a cucumber slice, lemon wheel, or a sprig of mint if you’re feeling fancy.
  • It should have a soft green tint from the cucumber. Serve right away while it’s still icy and fizzy.

Notes

Play with the simple syrup to get your sweetness just right. Some folks like it tart, others have a sweet tooth.
Going booze-free? Swap the gin for cucumber-infused water or even tonic. If you’re making a big batch, wait to add the club soda until you’re ready to serve—no one likes flat bubbles.
Got leftover cucumber-infused gin? Stash it in the fridge for up to a week. It’s great for quick cocktails later.
Some bartenders swear by a pinch of salt to make the cucumber pop. Want even more cucumber flavor? Let some slices soak in your gin for a day before mixing.
This pairs so well with light seafood or as a pre-dinner sipper. Try it—see what you think.

Notes

Play with the simple syrup to get your sweetness just right. Some folks like it tart, others have a sweet tooth.

Going booze-free? Swap the gin for cucumber-infused water or even tonic. If you’re making a big batch, wait to add the club soda until you’re ready to serve—no one likes flat bubbles.

Got leftover cucumber-infused gin? Stash it in the fridge for up to a week. It’s great for quick cocktails later.

Some bartenders swear by a pinch of salt to make the cucumber pop. Want even more cucumber flavor? Let some slices soak in your gin for a day before mixing.

This pairs so well with light seafood or as a pre-dinner sipper. Try it—see what you think.

Must Have Ingredients

Tasting Notes

The Cucumber Collins is just plain refreshing. The cucumber shines through, cool and crisp, and somehow makes the gin’s botanicals feel even brighter.

First sip? You’ll notice the lemon’s zing right away, cutting through the sweetness. It’s sweet, but not in a cloying way—just enough to round things out.

The club soda brings a lively fizz, making the whole drink feel lighter. Every sip is a little celebration, honestly.

Key Flavor Elements:

  • Cucumber: Fresh, green, cooling
  • Gin: Herbal, juniper-forward
  • Lemon: Tart, bright
  • Simple Syrup: Clean sweetness
  • Club Soda: Crisp bubbles

The aftertaste is clean, with cucumber and herbs lingering just a bit. On a hot day, nothing really beats it.

It’s got a light mouthfeel—no heaviness, just easy sipping. You could nurse one of these all afternoon without getting tired of it.

For the best experience, keep it really cold and use plenty of ice. The chill brings out the cucumber and keeps things extra refreshing.

Substitute

Can’t find fresh cucumber for your Collins? No need to stress about it.

There are plenty of tasty alternatives that can work surprisingly well in this refreshing cocktail.

Fruit Substitutes:

  • Watermelon slices
  • Green apple chunks
  • Honeydew melon pieces
  • Celery sticks (for a vegetal note)

Gin is the classic base spirit, but honestly, you can swap it out if you feel like mixing things up.

Spirit Options:

  • Vodka (for a cleaner taste)
  • White rum (adds sweetness)
  • Tequila blanco (adds earthy notes)

The recipe usually calls for simple syrup.

But if you don’t have it or just want to experiment, here are a few sweeteners that also do the trick:

Sweetener Choices:

  • Honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
  • Agave nectar
  • Maple syrup (adds warm flavor notes)

Club soda brings the fizz, sure, but why not try something a bit different?

Fizzy Replacements:

  1. Lime seltzer
  2. Cucumber seltzer (doubles the cucumber flavor)
  3. Ginger ale (adds spice)
  4. Tonic water (adds bitterness)

Lime juice gives the drink its acidity. Lemon juice is a solid stand-in—some folks might even prefer it.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, toss in a few mint leaves or basil during the muddling step for an extra layer of flavor.

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Hey there, I’m John Watson—a guy who’s spent over 20 years proving that a good drink can fix just about anything (well, almost anything). Whether it’s cocktails that wow or mocktails that mock boredom, I’m all about crafting sips with stories. Founder of ThirstyTales and full-time drink nerd, I’m here to help you shake things up, one glass at a time. Let’s mix, laugh, and maybe spill a little—cheers to the adventure!

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